So he's gone. Big Budget Doug has bitten the bullet for inconsistent form, underperformance from players, poor systems and a big dose of dull, uninspiring hockey. We've all seen this coming for some time, and its clear that DC is not a good fit for the Steelers. Lets regroup, appoint a coach we know can deliver success, and try to salvage our season...
...is what I would have written in December, if Tony Smith had bowed to fan opinion (like he says he has today) and removed Christiansen from his post back then.
Today, it just seems a bit odd. We'd had a decent run of form that had only been interrupted by a trip to the new league champions and a returning to form Panthers team.
But its been a strange week. Marc Lefebvre's departure to Coventry to replace Matt Soderstrom, and now this. It would appear that last night's defeat to the Panthers was the straw that broke the camel's back, but it had been coming for some time if you read between the lines.
A few things have been clear this season:
- DC's perceived 'Culture Change' wasn't working. His implemented systems didn't suit some of the players he brought in to do the job, and often you felt the players were being stifled, and they weren't being allowed to show their full capabilities - or at least that some of them weren't playing to full potential.
- The fans have an idea of what they perceive Steelers Hockey to be - hard hitting, in your face, entertaining stuff. This season, it hasn't been the case - although here's where you say be careful what you wish for, as people weren't happy with Finner's "Steelers Hockey" side that failed to make the playoffs.
- Too many players have been resting on their laurels. Jeff Legue has been almost pedestrian in 2014, yet gets to walk back into a side that won 5-1 at the weekend? The returning D-men from last year haven't been anywhere near the required mark. Some players have come in with big reputations and have only showed up for half the season. Again though, this is a mark against DC as if players weren't pulling their weight, they should have been gone. Finner and Simon wouldn't have stood for some of the performances this year.
Again though, its the timing. The league has been gone for a while. I would have thought if a new coach was to come in, you'd have done it at least a month or so ago, so he could assess his squad and make alterations if necessary, with the CC and the playoffs in mind. If you were thinking this way for some time, as Simms alluded to earlier on Twitter, the decision should have been made at the latest by the start of February - before the semi-final, and with still a bit of time to assess the side.
The only positives I can think of right now are that it gives the team a bit of time to focus towards the playoffs, and also lets the club appoint a coach who can start recruiting for next season now - build a team in his image and whatnot, see who he wants to keep on from the current side etc etc.
I just hope he has the stomach to deal with the amount of garbage we're going to throw at him. Its not an easy job, being the coach of the Sheffield Steelers.
Good luck to Steven Goertzen in his time as caretaker.
Dear god Tony think it through.
Liam
@IAmMcCausland
@FrozenSteelBlog
@TomWalkeden
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