After an unforced absence, here's the latest and penultimate Hockey Soapbox. On the panel this week are Editor Mark plus contributions from Eric, Andy, Nathan, Sarah, Fay and George.
Time to get on those soapboxes folks.
1. Five Words On Saturday
Felt A Bit Let Down
Couldn't Hit A Barn Door
3rd Period Was Too Late
Just Not Good Enough Really
Only Turned Up Last Ten
Dowd's Goals A Rare Highlight
Big Crowd Another Big Flop
2. Five Words On Sunday
Steelers the Cardiff Party Poopers
It's A Beautiful Day Day
A Win Is A Win
Great Game For Brad Day
After The Lord Mayor's Show?
Day Helps Gets Cardiff Win
Champions You're Having A Laugh
3. Does the much maligned Challenge Cup Final need to be
played on a rotational venue basis if it can be achieved?
Sarah: I
don’t think it would be possible. Some venues are too small and some too big.
It’s been a sell out for the last 2 seasons in Cardiff but when it was in
Sheffield And Sheffield weren’t there, it apparently looked empty. I personally
don’t like IAW but it’s probably the best venue.
Eric: I’d
say yes! Although I personal don’t like the format of this competition plus it
seems to distract and interfere with the domestic league campaign, it would be
nice to pass the final of this completion around the other ice pads. Which
would, perhaps highlight the British ice hockey league and game.
Fay: I think it would be better, yes. Imagine 2
Scottish teams made it - can’t see many travelling down to Cardiff on a Sunday
night..
Nathan: Unfortunately
it’s a logistical nightmare because let’s imagine the final is held in
Sheffield or Nottingham and It ends up being a Fife and Guildford final. 70% of
the arena would be empty. Likewise if it’s held in Braehead and its a
Sheffield/Nottingham final we have the reverse problem. Belfast would be a
problem due to travel and let’s be perfectly honest, nobody would willingly go
to Coventry would they? It’s a difficult one.
Andy: Can't see it being moved from IAW in near future even though
the venue is not big enough in my opinion. It was supposed to be a neutral
venue at the final but it seems it was like a home game for Devils. By all
accounts this seemed to give the Giants a team talk. Not sure which rinks we
could hold it in to rotate it as for me Nottingham and Sheffield are too big
and availability is not always there. Other rinks in league are similar or
smaller than IAW. What we need is a nice 5000 seat arena somewhere.
George: Definitely. No one should be playing at home in a final.
Mark: It's all about ice availability isn't it? Cardiff can guarantee it all the time which makes the current decision an easy one. But it would be nice to move it around if the logistical problems can be overcome.
4. Does PT throw the players under the bus too many times?
Eric: Yes
he does! I find it incomprehensible that any manager, and especially one as
experienced as Thompson, would find it professional to blame any of his player.
But then again both he and his two amigos will do and blame any other person,
rather than apologies for their ineptitude and poor behaviour.
Fay: Half of the time don’t bother listening to the
interviews, they just wind me up. I don’t think I’ve ever once heard him say “I
got it wrong”
Nathan: Fitzy one week, Moose the next. Next thing it’s
Nelson now it’s Kirk. You’ll notice it’s never Wallace or Westerling?! How’s
about taking the blame for your own ineptitude once in a while, Coach?
Andy: PT constantly comments that he doesn't like to single out
players and then goes right ahead and singles out a player. The latest one
being Liam Kirk for one defensive error. Would be nice to see him say just once
that he got the tactics wrong. Guess we will be waiting a long while for that
though.
George: No, they need to be responsible for some things.
Mark: Far too much for my liking. If things go wrong then everyone should be made accountable and that includes Thompson. He reminds me of Jose Mourinho, it's the players fault not the coach. Guess it would damage his ego if he ever admitted he was wrong, not to mention how his best pal would react when doing the interview..
Sarah: I’m in two minds about this. I really don’t
understand how Thommo’s mind works. The fans want players sacked for not
performing and wants Thommo to do something but then when he pushes them under
the bus in public, the fans go crazy. The fans need to know that Thommo isn’t
accepting how we’ve been playing and are we all making it into a bigger thing
than it actually is? Heard things on Twitter about Liam Kirk getting a
rollicking on the bench during the Nottingham game and Thommo shouldn’t have
done it. First of all, it was on the bench and if a player is out of position
no matter who it is, he should be told. Every player needs to learn from their
mistakes.
5. Will we have the end of season carry on again with certain
Scottish teams threatening to fold if they don’t get certain requirements at
the EIHL AGM?
Fay: There’s always an end of season drama - will
probably be our fault whatever happens.
Nathan: Possibly but I don’t particularly care to be
honest. Last pre season was turning into a bit of a soap opera and a very boring
one at that. Whatever happens if this conference system remains it’ll continue
to make the league a bit of a joke.
Andy: Who knows what the end of season AGM will bring. Fairly sure
the 3 conference system will be staying for a few seasons yet. I am hoping for
a quiet summer and a way of getting Edinburgh Capitals on the up and competitive
again.
George: Yep.
Mark: More than likely, until the EIHL becomes independently run then this will never change.
Sarah: Yes
definitely and with Fife winning the conference it won’t change. Just not the
Scottish teams though, it’s helped Manchester massively so I can see them
wanting to continue with the conferences. I wish it was feasible to scrap the
conferences but for the smaller teams, it wouldn’t work for them.
Eric: It
is, what it is! I believe one maybe two Scottish clubs may struggle to be in
the league next season. If they could be saved, then I’m fairly sure the other
owners would like them to remain if for nothing else but revenue and
expenditure. If one club folds then quite simply I believe there will be one or
two scratching of heads at the pre season EIHL board meeting. With huge
discussions on how to keep the conferences as they are.
6. How much have we missed Desbiens this season?
Nathan: Loads! Another case of departing players not
being properly replaced. Desbiens, Mosienko, Legue.... Considering we’re
watching the likes of Wallace and Westerling instead is very depressing.
Andy: We have certainly missed parts of Desi's game this season.
The leadership and accountability he brought is definitely missing at times. He
had an uncanny knack of just finding what was required to lift the team. A
timely goal or a fight to gee the guys up. That said the biggest thing we are
missing is the goals that Fretter and Roy have delivered in the past. Fairly
sure they have played the whole of season pretty banged up and no one has
stepped up to cover them goals.
George: Not that much. If a team underperforms you cannot rely on
one player. Desbiens was a leader but was a little slow. We needed a leader but
we failed to recruit one.
Mark: A quality player who gave 100 per cent every night in my eyes. We didn't want him to retire, that decision was taken out of his hands. His passion for playing for what is on the front of the jersey rather than the name on the back is second to none. A real club heartbeat.
Sarah: Desbiens
was a leader, our season turned around dramatically when he joined us. We have
missed his presence this season. He gave it his all every single game.
Eric: There
can be no words by me to describe how much we have missed Desbiens! The guy was
immense, he gave the club heart, a little like Mosienko, he gave us toughness
to aid Fitzgerald and like our captain said of him during the nine days of
madness videos. When
after making the play off final. Desi said to the guys “Jump on my
back and I’ll carry you”.
Oh
if only!, yes! We miss him greatly..
Fay: A hell of a lot, but his exit wasn’t planned and
he pretty much has impossible boots to fill. We haven’t replaced half of the
quality players we let go last year.
7. What does Jerry Andersson bring to the Club as a whole?
Andy: I was hoping with his knowledge
and experience we were going to get a similar effect to what happened at our
nearest and dearest down the M1 when Strachan joined Neilson as assistant
coach. Obviously I have no knowledge what happens at training sessions etc but
we never seem to have a plan B when things are not going well. Is that GA or is
it PT? Who knows. Just hoping with better recruitment next season we can
compete with the likes of Cardiff again.
George: Nice bloke. Very experienced. For me he has to stay.
Mark: Not sure to be honest. Sure he has the experience and possibly a lot of contacts in the hockey world but he just looks so bored on the bench as if to say: "Why am I here?" - he doesn't look happy playing second fiddle to Thompson and wants to be his own man but can't unless he decides to jump ship of his own accord.
Sarah: He
makes meatballs is the only thing I could think of.
Eric: Absolutely
nothing that I can put my finger on. I would actually say that not only are
some of the guys not performing, then Mr Andersson would be on the list before
any of the players. Other than Wallace maybe. I
mean how much is the club paying him? Is he value for money? Then again the same questions could be asked of
the coach, fitness coach and media man. I pretty sure a lot of money is being
wasted by the club employing these people.
Fay: I don’t actually know. I seem to remember an
interview when he first signed saying that he was brought here for his
connections in Europe... Can’t say we haven’t had some quality Swedish players
in the past 2 years, but it just doesn’t work for the league now. Other than
that... We get a parody account that gives us a good laugh?
Nathan: I have absolutely no idea but I’d like to know.
All he seems to do is stand behind the bench looking pensive. I’m sure he’s a
nice bloke and all but I suppose we’ll never find out unless we were involved
in the training sessions and team talks.
And that's the Soapbox for this week. Join us for more next time.
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