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Post by GuinnessMan on Jan 11, 2016 13:49:12 GMT
This year NB set out the Panthers stall by announcing we would be going with 13imports and 9Brits and run 4-line hockey. There was always going to be injuries, so personally i took '4-line hockey' statement with a pinch of salt but was happy to see great depth so that we didn't have to run with 11 out-skaters as we did on occasions in 2014/15. We obviously started 1 Import short, and have suffered injuries (as all teams have) but I think we have always put out at least 15 skaters (correct me if i'm wrong).
Now, this thread is not so much about this year - except in a comparative manor.
For 2016/17 the import level is set to increase again, to 14. There will be a budget. With that budget, should we ... a) keep 9 Brits, and spread the rest of the budget over 14 imports? b) reduce the no of Brits (By how many, and who), to give a bigger budget to get better imports? c) reduce the no of Brits (By how many, and who), to enable a spare import to be brought in early in the season? d) some other variation?
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Post by patch9495 on Jan 11, 2016 14:27:46 GMT
I'd personally gas lacho as he's offered absolutely nothing this season, and due to his passport, will probably be on a bigger wage than some imports. Also get oakford (as decent as he has been he still ain't up to standard yet) on a 2 way deal with an epl team. Give betteridge lachos ice time, at least the kid plays with desire and doesn't shy away from the physical stuff. Personally also fire a rocket up farmers arse as he's been very sub par this season. Maybe try and tempt Tom Norton back as he's had a very solid season. As for imports I think we have a solid squad just we can't build any chemistry as the line changes all the time. Keep structured lines and keep the same level of imports, and use the money saved on gassing lacho, to bring in a spare for cover/rotation
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Yotes
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Post by Yotes on Jan 11, 2016 14:33:31 GMT
What's the breakdown of the 14, out of interest? Is it 12+2 or 11+3?
I'd want to see, on opening night 2016/17, the full compliment of imports, and 8 Brits to give us the maximum 22 player roster. As to which Brits, I'm hoping for a new coach to go with them so would be up to them which they think they can get use from. Lacho's having a poor year, but a change of coach might get him back on track next term.
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Post by GuinnessMan on Jan 11, 2016 14:42:58 GMT
It's 11+3 next year Yotes.
An interesting tweet just popped up - we have apparently been 83 imports below the allowed limit on games played so far this season (averaging over 2/game)- so next year should we be carry those extra spare imports at the expense of some of our current Brits?
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2016/17
Jan 11, 2016 14:43:06 GMT
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Post by jdizpt8 on Jan 11, 2016 14:43:06 GMT
I don't think we need a Brit in the shape of Lacho. I'd give him to Belfast for Boxil back or offer him to Braehead for Davies at least your going to get a player that's going to work hard night in night out and get in the dirty areas and doesn't give a poop about mixing it up and might grab you some goals along the way by driving the net. Farmer hasn't had a good year but at least he gets into it and is effective more games then not at getting under players skins. As for the imports we've got a good bunch just need settled lines and some cover. Cardiff Sheffield Belfast all have a spare(s). I'd like to see a new coach for the new season and new GM to really take the club to its potential. With the money we have the fan base and facilities we should be winning the league fairly regular. id just love to honesty from the club about what has happened how long player will be out and if we're actively searching for replacements.
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Post by pantherlee on Jan 11, 2016 14:50:56 GMT
Agree that Lacho should go he's a shadow of his former self. If i remember correctly Corey said he'd challenged him to up his game this season and he just hasn't, if anything he's got worse. i think he's maybe got too comfortable and agree that betteridge should be given his ice time. With the import level increasing i see no value in keeping Oakford, with a 22 limit roster it only leaves space for 8 brits (providing you carry a full import quota). Maybe if there is a brit that can be brought in then Jack Prince i may available as i think its the last year with his uni team in the states
And for gods sake sign the full 14 imports!!!
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Post by patch9495 on Jan 11, 2016 14:58:32 GMT
Lacho's having a poor year Imo hes been poor ever since the G.S season, 3 seasons on the trot. End of the day its a results based business, and players should be paid based on their on ice contributions not their passport. (I know thats a whole different issue of supply and demand so wont get into that) If I was poor at work for 3 years running id have been given my P45 ages ago. I know sports players are different but end of the day he should be in his prime. I feel that he knows his job is safe, which results in a lower passion for the game, resulting in lower standard of performances. I also feel its time now to give his ice time to a hungry up and coming brit like Betteridge who wants to prove himself, along with redistributing his no doubt high pay packet, between other members of the squads/spares
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Yotes
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Post by Yotes on Jan 11, 2016 15:05:18 GMT
I dunno that that's entirely fair. I mean 13/14 he was PPG (21+39), that was a good return, last year was worse at 14+29, but we were junk last year and that still left him 3rd on our list (behind Farmer who is also struggling this time out).
His numbers have fallen off a bit of a cliff so far this year though, and his confidence seems to have gone with it. I'm just wondering if a different coach pairs him up differently, asks him to do different things etc? Have we not seen that there's a good player in there?
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Post by ted logan on Jan 11, 2016 15:10:59 GMT
Agree with all the above on RL, maybe it's time to go. If you scroll far enough down the scorers chart on the EIHL website you will find:-
Dimmen - 34-2-11-13 Schmidt - 38-5-7-12 Waugh - 25-3-9-12
Lachowicz - 35-3-8-11
Disappointing as he looked full of potential in his early days then looked to have fulfilled his potential in the GS season. Gone steadily downhill since then though.
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Post by patch9495 on Jan 11, 2016 15:11:57 GMT
True, agree with you on that, but given our financial stature we shouldnt be classed as what I would call a "Development club" we should be attracting players in their prime and allowing the lower clubs to develop. I know this may be seen as arrogant but look at football, how many of the top clubs do you see actually play players from their acadamies compared to the lower end clubs? Not many, 9 times out of 10 they go out and sign a ready made established player. I know lacho is in his prime so in an essence wouldnt need developing, but confidence imo is a factor of player development, and as it looks like he is shot of it, could argue that this aspect of his game needs developing. If we are going to keep him pay him a wage that is reflective of his status and not based on his passport
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Post by GuinnessMan on Jan 11, 2016 15:20:56 GMT
From all of the above I'm picking up that next year we should go for 14 imports (no spares) and that should be funded in part by releasing 1 brit, namely lacho. Thereby still having 8 brits.
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Yotes
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Post by Yotes on Jan 11, 2016 15:24:04 GMT
I agree Lacho can't be classed as a work in progress anymore (like Betteridge say), I just find his current form odd, he seems to have regressed so much - and he has got worse again - and it's not like he's had injuries or anything.
It'd be pretty annoying to see him playing for the Evil Empire (or whoever, they're bound to try and sign him) and start lighting it up again though.
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Mozzy
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Post by Mozzy on Jan 11, 2016 15:26:56 GMT
Question....Some think Oakford is a young developing Brit, whilst Lachowicz is in his prime. They are both the same age.
If you haven't really broke into the team at 25 then you probably will only ever be a bit part player. This summer could be quite interesting on the Brit front. At some point us in Sheffield are going to have to do something to make our's better.
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Mozzy
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Post by Mozzy on Jan 11, 2016 15:29:12 GMT
I agree Lacho can't be classed as a work in progress anymore (like Betteridge say), I just find his current form odd, he seems to have regressed so much - and he has got worse again - and it's not like he's had injuries or anything. It'd be pretty annoying to see him playing for the Evil Empire (or whoever, they're bound to try and sign him) and start lighting it up again though. But the stats from Lachowicz over the last 3 years will make him less desireable to us, Belfast, Cardiff, Clan etc. It would be a bit of punt at this moment.
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Post by PantherB on Jan 11, 2016 15:31:21 GMT
Gas Lacho, or get him on a 2-way with an EPL team. If he manages to get a shot at Europe he'll be very lucky. Should have taken the opportunity whilst he could and was playing alright.
If we replace him with another Brit then Jack Prince gets my recommendation, but with the import number rising again next season, perhaps an import will fill the gap if he does go.
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Yotes
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Post by Yotes on Jan 11, 2016 15:34:28 GMT
Yes, a bit of a punt I agree, but I think one of you (our challengers) would take it. 13/14 was actually his career season so far, better than the GS season, we're not that far removed from those days. For whatever reason it's gone stale in Nottingham for him.
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Post by PantherB on Jan 11, 2016 15:39:14 GMT
Question....Some think Oakford is a young developing Brit, whilst Lachowicz is in his prime. They are both the same age. If you haven't really broke into the team at 25 then you probably will only ever be a bit part player. This summer could be quite interesting on the Brit front. At some point us in Sheffield are going to have to do something to make our's better. You could argue that Defencemen take an extra year or two to season and reach their full potential. Oakford is improving, came on leaps and bounds really compared to his first year with us. Lacho just seems to have had a monumental collapse, as some players do but he doesn't look like he'll regain his good form of a couple years ago. As for Steelers' Brit front, Aaron Nell is doing very well in the EPL, played with you 13-14 season, perhaps they may give him another shot? I'm surprised they haven't given Shudra a shot either really, i know he's not doing great with Steeldogs but he's 17, skilful and quick. Tore Grimsby u20's apart on Saturday before playing for Steeldogs, must've had at least 10 points in the game, led Sheffield u20's to a 28-1 win and scored in the 3 seconds after faceoff!
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Post by The Flying Shirt on Jan 11, 2016 15:41:04 GMT
If Lacho was an import of the same size and return the forum here would have gone into meltdown long long ago.
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Post by GuinnessMan on Jan 11, 2016 15:43:28 GMT
Why not 15 high quality imports (one spare) and just keep the best 5 Brits (including back-up nettie). Run with quality not quantity? ie drop 4 brits and use that cash to upgrade on imports and carry a spare from the off.
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2016/17
Jan 11, 2016 15:45:01 GMT
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Post by patch9495 on Jan 11, 2016 15:45:01 GMT
Possibly the drop of confidence in lacho could be linked with cn's job being on the line? If lacho is the sort of player that thrives when no pressure is placed on him, and obviously cn will be placing pressure on all players as his job is on the line, this could be linked with the fall from grace?
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Post by GuinnessMan on Jan 11, 2016 15:50:52 GMT
Question....Some think Oakford is a young developing Brit, whilst Lachowicz is in his prime. They are both the same age. If you haven't really broke into the team at 25 then you probably will only ever be a bit part player. This summer could be quite interesting on the Brit front. At some point us in Sheffield are going to have to do something to make our's better. Next year you do have the option of bringing in an extra import and dropping Hewitt?
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Post by The Flying Shirt on Jan 11, 2016 15:51:22 GMT
Possibly the drop of confidence in lacho could be linked with cn's job being on the line? If lacho is the sort of player that thrives when no pressure is placed on him, and obviously cn will be placing pressure on all players as his job is on the line, this could be linked with the fall from grace? I don't really think it matters why anyone doesn't perform. It's a professional sports club not social services.
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2016/17
Jan 11, 2016 15:52:37 GMT
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Post by patch9495 on Jan 11, 2016 15:52:37 GMT
Possibly the drop of confidence in lacho could be linked with cn's job being on the line? If lacho is the sort of player that thrives when no pressure is placed on him, and obviously cn will be placing pressure on all players as his job is on the line, this could be linked with the fall from grace? I don't really think it matters why anyone doesn't perform. It's a professional sports club not social services. Yeah tbf I agree. Time to go lacho
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Post by ted logan on Jan 11, 2016 15:54:09 GMT
Question....Some think Oakford is a young developing Brit, whilst Lachowicz is in his prime. They are both the same age. If you haven't really broke into the team at 25 then you probably will only ever be a bit part player. This summer could be quite interesting on the Brit front. At some point us in Sheffield are going to have to do something to make our's better. Next year you do have the option of bringing in an extra import and dropping Hewitt? Is Hewitt still 'playing'?
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2016/17
Jan 11, 2016 16:10:06 GMT
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Post by shmyrohdear on Jan 11, 2016 16:10:06 GMT
Question....Some think Oakford is a young developing Brit, whilst Lachowicz is in his prime. They are both the same age. If you haven't really broke into the team at 25 then you probably will only ever be a bit part player. This summer could be quite interesting on the Brit front. At some point us in Sheffield are going to have to do something to make our's better. Dmen take a fair few years longer to establish their game, Oakford shows improvement and eagerness to play. No doubt if we keep him around he'll be a solid addition to any team in the league.
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