What is the motivation for winning the league?

[The Flying Shirt]

If you are Canadian playing injured or just treating the elite league as a pension plan on the wind down of a career and if you are only on a one year contract anyway what is the motivation to win the league anyway?

It's not as if there is any competition for places plus there is the nightlife and rumour that some players flew back home for Christmas just arriving back in the UK on the morning of one of the biggest games of the year what is the motivation in giving 100% every game?

I suppose if we did win the league at least the shop would sell the handful of XXXL shirts still left on the rails but then there wouldn't be a Panthers presence in the NIC shop at all through the summer...

Is there any REAL motivation at all?

[Shorty]

You can ask the same question to any club in the country. Why would players who come to Panthers be any different to those going to other clubs?

[The Flying Shirt]

Dec 27, 2010 8:43:20 GMT Shorty said:

You can ask the same question to any club in the country. Why would players who come to Panthers be any different to those going to other clubs?

Just look at the results around the league and there really is no difference at all. An unfit or washed up import will still get a standing ovation (and possibly a Mars bar too) win, lose or draw. Guys like Tom Norton who give 110% despite working extra hours as a coach and having to show people to their seats during the week to make ends meet are the real stars IMO.

God only knows how a team owner could manage to go bust in our league. The only thing we have missing is the long silent WWE stare-outs before face off.

[PeteW]

You'd better ask Sheffield fans. Their players always seem to have the motivation. Perhaps Team Hollywood's not too far from the truth?

[ginger]

Hockey players are (on the whole) pretty damn competitive whether they are playing for a Stanley cup or just in a rec game. But I do think there are certain types of players you want and then you need a coach who can instill the level of pride and desire to run through brick walls. Seemingly we have it this season and I think a lot of that comes down to Ben Simon, who leads perfectly by example. Also we have a lot of guys who will be hurting big time from last seasons terrible showing.

You do have a couple of guys who I think really really want it bad - Matt Myers is one. Would take him in my team every day of the week and twice on Sundays. I think import wise it is a tough one, but I always think guys like Lepine are the players you want. Young, still a long way to go in their careers and still got a lot to prove. They should be hungry, either to stay over here for a long time and build a career here, or to try and put themselves in the shop window for one of the better european leagues.

[supermattytrickett]

I genuinely think some of our fans need to show some 'tough love' to the players on the roster and not treat them as a group of demi-gods regardless of whether we win, lose or draw. They're not thick. They probably cotton on pretty damn quickly that they'll be adored come what may so where's the incentive to go out and go the extra mile for the club when mediocracy is so loudly and visibly welcomed?

[Mark]

Try offering them a puck bunny of their choice and free drinks in their favourite bars. I'm sure that's what's high on the list of priorities of several players at least.

[Ghost]

After tonight, I'm struggling for motivation to spend my money on watching cack hockey.

[Dan]

There's very little motivation when they know they're gonna get hero worship and sweets regardless of the result. Lower Parliament ought to be renamed Easy Street.

[pantherdman]

Imagine their status if they actually won the league? I'd treat them as gods, I don't at the moment, the most i do is let panthers cars out in traffic.

[Yotes]

You'd hope the motivator is professional pride. That and the pay cheque.

I do think we're way too forgiving of them. Boxing Day when they shipped 4 in the second period they got applauded off the ice at the end of the period.

[spik]

Motivation.....Obviously something we need to find out quick.

[NP]

Dec 27, 2010 20:21:52 GMT Mark said:

Try offering them a puck bunny of their choice and free drinks in their favourite bars. I'm sure that's what's high on the list of priorities of several players at least.

Great idea, are you any good at coaching??? ;D

as for the wwe stares, I think that does go on before and during the game from the lines of Penner; & steelers players are good actors...

[Pies]

Theres 2 motivations for ANYONE who goes into work - money and pride. If I go into work and do a good job then I feel good about myself. Getting the moolah at the end of the month helps too. It should be the same for hockey players except they get a big shiney medal along with their pay and pride if they preform well. If that isnt enough motivation then they ain't in the right job.

[pantherdman]

True, if they ain't got it, there's a big green sign with EXIT on it.

[Pies]

Dec 28, 2010 9:40:01 GMT pantherdman said:

True, if they ain't got it, there's a big green sign with EXIT on it.

And after the last couple of preformances, I am usre theres a few hundred people willing to show them where it is if theyre struggling!