I know some of the reaction in the past three weeks may seem like an overreaction, and it may well have been, but we've gone from looking ridiculously strong to ridiculously weak in the space of 5 games.
Signs of a potential weakness were evident throughout December, but they showed themselves clear as day from Boxing Day onwards.
We haven't just become a bad team overnight though. There's a few things that aren't working right now though.
Defence Wins Championships
As I touched on in this week's 5 things, in the last few weeks we've conceded goals at an average of 4 per game - and we aren't going to win the league like that. A conscious effort to return to basics is required for me. The defenders should be defenders - at present, they look like they're trying to be extra wingers, and too often get caught too far up the ice, leaving Frank Doyle out to dry. Do your job first.
Jeff Legue
Well, not actually Jeff Legue. He's not the problem. Accomodating him is. Where does he fit? It's Gerad Adams' job to find out, and fast. Again, it's not a slur on his performances, but bringing him back has disturbed a couple of effective units, meaning we're not getting the best from them, or the best from him. He wouldn't have been the guy I would have signed - I don't think he was what we required at the time. But now he's here, I think there is a place for him - we just don't know where yet.
Found Out
It was always bound to happen, especially with how much we all play each other. Teams know how to shut down our effective players now, and do it well. Nottingham in particular have our number. We need a plan B.
Bloody Foreigners
Didn't know how better to headline this bit. Hockey players are like any other sports competitors - they can blow hot and cold, have good and bad patches of form, and can have off days. I think this is particularly prevalent in hockey - especially in our league where many of the imports come from North America, where the league championship is nowhere near as important, and the focus is on the playoffs. Teams can start hot, have a rough patch, and hit their stride again once they get near playoff season. You can have teams that barely register on the Richter scale in the regular season, just doing enough to scrape in, but once the post-season kicks in they bring their A game. It can be difficult to adjust to the change, and I think that's where your veteran Brits in the room are important - emphasising the importance of playing the full season rather than getting hot come March.
Just a few ideas. Agree/disagree? Get in touch.
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