Game Thread: Steelers v Stars: LEAGUE: Sun 15th October

[mark]

But I thought Fox coached physicality out of players? Just shows it's completely untrue. I think the difference is we've got the players this year who can turn it up when needed. Funny, but I really think Fox has been after Tansey/Saucerman for the last 3 seasons and when it's not happened he's had to find alternatives and they've not been quite up to scratch (although Piche was decent pre injury) in the physicality stakes.

Good win, shutout always good! Nicholls and Balmas really getting going is good. Just need Watling to get a couple to get going, but crikey he is getting targeted. I think that will settle down a bit as teams will have to start paying more attention to Nicholls, Balmas etc but I'd love for someone to send a message next time someone puts a dodgy hit on him.

I'm not sure that he intentionally coached the physicality out of them but you cannot deny that the teams he recruited did lack physicality, especially in the latter half of the season, and that resulted in us dropping out of contention. However this season looks much better so far, I am seeing us not back down and win the physical battles that allow the creative players freedom. While I don't expect to win every game I do expect us to compete, too many times in recent seasons we have looked like we had given up when things got tough and we fell to a defeat against teams that were not as good as us but had a stronger mind set.

[smbmetal]

But I thought Fox coached physicality out of players? Just shows it's completely untrue. I think the difference is we've got the players this year who can turn it up when needed. Funny, but I really think Fox has been after Tansey/Saucerman for the last 3 seasons and when it's not happened he's had to find alternatives and they've not been quite up to scratch (although Piche was decent pre injury) in the physicality stakes.

Good win, shutout always good! Nicholls and Balmas really getting going is good. Just need Watling to get a couple to get going, but crikey he is getting targeted. I think that will settle down a bit as teams will have to start paying more attention to Nicholls, Balmas etc but I'd love for someone to send a message next time someone puts a dodgy hit on him.

One game doesn't mean we've all of a sudden turned into the Broad Street bullies lol.

This is the first game that I've seen this season that we've actually upped the physical side purely as a reaction to what Dundee were doing, we did not dictate the physical play, but we certainly did not back down and we punished them on the PP which has started really well so far this season.

I think Championship Steelers teams of old genuinely dedicated the physical play rather than react to a tougher team's anticts.

Nice to see for this game, lets see how well we keep it up.

[ginger]

What I think Fox stresses in his systems are to make sure that any hit is not going to leave you out of position - you can tell that we try and win the puck back quickly, so need players in position to swarm on pucks. This I think is where this year's team have finally found players that can do that whilst still making hits.

It's not easy to find players like Tansey who so far, seems to do everything at a high level (for our league), and who genuinely seem to enjoy the game when it becomes a little chippy. I feel we've had players in the past who've come in and not wanted to play that way, when that's why they've been signed.

Dowd as captain helps as well - 3 fights already this year now? Sets a great example to the rest of the group

[Bryan]

Agree with earlier comments about our willingness and ability to take on the rough stuff and respond appropriately. There is a growing feeling that this team are well balanced. I love Watlings play but he in particular needs protection and that was there last night. Nicholls and Balmas are doing very nicely now they seem to have settled in. Tansey is looking good at the back. Panthers seem to have settled down and we might get some good nights against them. We look able to hold our own against them and devils. The first game against Giants will be interesting. It promises to be an enjoyable season.

[wakefieldsteelersfan]

What I think Fox stresses in his systems are to make sure that any hit is not going to leave you out of position - you can tell that we try and win the puck back quickly, so need players in position to swarm on pucks. This I think is where this year's team have finally found players that can do that whilst still making hits.

It's not easy to find players like Tansey who so far, seems to do everything at a high level (for our league), and who genuinely seem to enjoy the game when it becomes a little chippy. I feel we've had players in the past who've come in and not wanted to play that way, when that's why they've been signed.

Dowd as captain helps as well - 3 fights already this year now? Sets a great example to the rest of the group

I thought Dowd taking the bit between his teeth and pretty much "no choicing" that idiot on skates was a great play by the captain and came at the perfect time. Adds another to the growing list of players who think he's a pushover.....maybe they'll learn one day.

Giving Dowd the captaincy seems to have really elevated his game this year, his all round play is the best I've seen from him in years.

[paul johnston]

Dundee were smart from the point of view that they were no match on the skill stakes so had to up the physicality, probably looking for retaliatory pens as our refs tend to ignore initial infractions and penalise retaliation. However our boys weren't standing for it and stood up for themselves. Once we scored on the pp they really had nowhere to go.
The elbows on Saucerman was a shocker. Is it right he was only ejected as it was his second fight?
Watling is definitely being targeted and he does need protection. He is frustrated with himself as he feels he's not getting the goals and assists he wants, and I actually think he's overtrying. I think if he calms down and plays his natural game good things will happen.
Will be interesting to see if Vally continues to be more of a set up man rather than racking up goals-im sure Fox had him down for more points in the G rather than A Column.
Balmas and Nicholls continue to impress and the least feted new D addition continues about his business very effectively.