Our coach.

[wasteoftime]

Just an observation, we seem to be going over the same problems nearly every season since Cory was made coach, is it a bridge too far?

[nate24]

Yes. He doesn't evolve. For his own sake he needs a new job that makes him push himself. He is too settled with a 2 year contract.

[panthersdave]

This accusation was levelled at him during the 'sex Neilson hockey' days. Now we have more of a grind results out kind of team, it hasn't quite worked yet, but surely you can't accuse him of no plan B or not adapting etc when he has built a totally different style of team from the past.

[Kovalchuk17]

Same tactics and systems for nearly a decade with no variation. When it works it's fine, when it doesn't he has no idea what to do.

True that he's gone for a supposedly a more hardworking, grinding team this year rather than the 'score more than you' approach... however, he's kept exactly the same tactics and plays.

Powerplays are the same as they were 7/8 years ago too. I just think he's come to an end of his ability now. He has probably the best enforcer the EIHL has ever seen and can't think how to utilise him effectively.

[thebestpanthers]

problem yet again can be put down to injuries - we have lost three of our most inspirational players for a few weeks - OK Lee is back but no word on others

[Bagheera]

Injuries have biten him again. I do think people are underestimating the effect having the 2 we have out at the minute is having. Having said that we should be able to beat a Caps team at home who also have significant players missing. Thats not about entitlement. The quality in our team is better and at home should be able to get the job done. The problem is the team looked like they believed they were entitled. We comitted too hard going forward thinking it was going to be easy, a night to rack up points and we can caught on the break. Importantly we kept doing it.

I'm trying hard to give Corey a chance. Trying really hard not to gripe about lines every week, but the lines just aint working.

One thing stood out to me yesterday from a coaching perspective. Straight after goal 3 the players went to centre ice for a face off(A time some coaches may have used the time out after going 3 down in the 1st period). The linesman then went on to have 2mins of treatment. What happened. Did Corey take the chance of a free Time out and get the guys together? No. The guys on the ice skated around talking to nobody and the bench was silent. Surely he could have utilised that time?

[wgray]

What is wrong with people? The forum has been as quiet as a mouse recently whilst we've been doing well, nobody ever wants to give praise as quickly or as often as we want to criticise, it's ridiculous.

The league is as tough as it has ever been, all teams are at a good standard and each team is a threat, we are missing our two best players who are definitely the game changers. Look at Cardiff, they recently lost three home games on the bounce, I didn't hear any Devils fans calling for Lord's head! Every team will get a bad run but it's how you bounce back that matters, look at the bigger picture

[ted logan]

Inevitably more questions are going to be asked after a defeat, especially after consecutive home defeats and less than average performances both individually and collectively.

Two months in to the season now, fans have formed opinions on players/tactics etc. Its only right that they air their views on here. Nothing 'ridiculous' about that really.

[wgray]

Oct 30, 2016 10:20:50 GMT ted logan said:

Inevitably more questions are going to be asked after a defeat, especially after consecutive home defeats and less than average performances both individually and collectively.

Two months in to the season now, fans have formed opinions on players/tactics etc. Its only right that they air their views on here. Nothing 'ridiculous' about that really.

I'm saying look at the bigger picture there are no guaranteed wins, every team brings something to the table, we weren't good enough last I know that but two losses in a row doesn't define our season nor does it warrant the criticism that we are seeing

[iginla]

Oct 30, 2016 10:12:05 GMT wgray said:

What is wrong with people? The forum has been as quiet as a mouse recently whilst we've been doing well, nobody ever wants to give praise as quickly or as often as we want to criticise, it's ridiculous.

The league is as tough as it has ever been, all teams are at a good standard and each team is a threat, we are missing our two best players who are definitely the game changers. Look at Cardiff, they recently lost three home games on the bounce, I didn't hear any Devils fans calling for Lord's head! Every team will get a bad run but it's how you bounce back that matters, look at the bigger picture

It's been quiet,because most of the interesting people got banned and then subsequently couldn't be bothered to post for a while ! Lol

As for doing doing well.
Mmmm,our last few games have been a home loss to Belfast,two wins against crap teams,a win against a half decent team and a home loss against Caps.

If that's doing well then.....err !!!

[ted logan]

Oct 30, 2016 10:56:25 GMT wgray said:

Oct 30, 2016 10:20:50 GMT ted logan said:

Inevitably more questions are going to be asked after a defeat, especially after consecutive home defeats and less than average performances both individually and collectively.

Two months in to the season now, fans have formed opinions on players/tactics etc. Its only right that they air their views on here. Nothing 'ridiculous' about that really.

I'm saying look at the bigger picture there are no guaranteed wins, every team brings something to the table, we weren't good enough last I know that but two losses in a row doesn't define our season nor does it warrant the criticism that we are seeing

I get that and I know that to many it will seem like some form of 'meltdown' after 2 defeats.

On the other hand, there are plenty who will be having that deja vu feeling of here goes another disappointing league campaign, 15 out of 16 in the NIC era? Poor/cheap recruitment, get through Xmas then sign some real quality (Quick/MacDonald) that we should've signed in the first place. Cup run (more bums on seats) and reach POFW to gloss over the failings in the league. I'm not saying that's going to happen but based on the events of seasons gone by, it's not the most unrealistic scenario.

Who knows? Win today and a Carter hat trick then its all good again? Lose and watch this space..........

[Bagheera]

Oct 30, 2016 10:56:25 GMT wgray said:

Oct 30, 2016 10:20:50 GMT ted logan said:

Inevitably more questions are going to be asked after a defeat, especially after consecutive home defeats and less than average performances both individually and collectively.

Two months in to the season now, fans have formed opinions on players/tactics etc. Its only right that they air their views on here. Nothing 'ridiculous' about that really.

I'm saying look at the bigger picture there are no guaranteed wins, every team brings something to the table, we weren't good enough last I know that but two losses in a row doesn't define our season nor does it warrant the criticism that we are seeing

How do you define "bigger picture"?

How about 3 seasons without settled lines?

1 league title in.....?

I'm not a basher by any stretch. Probably more middle of the road than most.

You are correct. No game is a given. However there is a reason Caps will finish bottom 3. They were more hampered by missing players than we were. We should not be losing to that team at home.
Again you are correct we did get beat by the better team on the night. Thats the point. It was our job to make sure we were better. We didn't play well enough and thats not good enough.
Sometimes you lose and take it on the chin. Other times(like last night) you see your team make the same mistakes you've seen them make time and time again.

[wgray]

Oct 30, 2016 11:00:02 GMT iginla said:

Oct 30, 2016 10:12:05 GMT wgray said:

What is wrong with people? The forum has been as quiet as a mouse recently whilst we've been doing well, nobody ever wants to give praise as quickly or as often as we want to criticise, it's ridiculous.

The league is as tough as it has ever been, all teams are at a good standard and each team is a threat, we are missing our two best players who are definitely the game changers. Look at Cardiff, they recently lost three home games on the bounce, I didn't hear any Devils fans calling for Lord's head! Every team will get a bad run but it's how you bounce back that matters, look at the bigger picture

It's been quiet,because most of the interesting people got banned and then subsequently couldn't be bothered to post for a while ! Lol

As for doing doing well.
Mmmm,our last few games have been a home loss to Belfast,two wins against crap teams,a win against a half decent team and a home loss against Caps.

If that's doing well then.....err !!!

I acknowledge that the loss last night and to Belfast is poor but before that we were doing well, the away win in Cardiff short benched for example was impressive, we also beat Coventry away, we did well in the Scottish triple header, that's all impressive stuff don't you think? We will bounce back

[wgray]

Oct 30, 2016 11:13:12 GMT Bagheera said:

Oct 30, 2016 10:56:25 GMT wgray said:

I'm saying look at the bigger picture there are no guaranteed wins, every team brings something to the table, we weren't good enough last I know that but two losses in a row doesn't define our season nor does it warrant the criticism that we are seeing

How do you define "bigger picture"?

How about 3 seasons without settled lines?

1 league title in.....?

I'm not a basher by any stretch. Probably more middle of the road than most.

You are correct. No game is a given. However there is a reason Caps will finish bottom 3. They were more hampered by missing players than we were. We should not be losing to that team at home.
Again you are correct we did get beat by the better team on the night. Thats the point. It was our job to make sure we were better. We didn't play well enough and thats not good enough.
Sometimes you lose and take it on the chin. Other times(like last night) you see your team make the same mistakes you've seen them make time and time again.

The reason why he's altered the lines last night is because we are missing two key players and we didn't have success with the lines that we had against Belfast, so what does he do play the same again and have no success or try and change it up to see if it works?

[Bagheera]

Oct 30, 2016 11:20:02 GMT wgray said:

Oct 30, 2016 11:13:12 GMT Bagheera said:

How do you define "bigger picture"?

How about 3 seasons without settled lines?

1 league title in.....?

I'm not a basher by any stretch. Probably more middle of the road than most.

You are correct. No game is a given. However there is a reason Caps will finish bottom 3. They were more hampered by missing players than we were. We should not be losing to that team at home.
Again you are correct we did get beat by the better team on the night. Thats the point. It was our job to make sure we were better. We didn't play well enough and thats not good enough.
Sometimes you lose and take it on the chin. Other times(like last night) you see your team make the same mistakes you've seen them make time and time again.

The reason why he's altered the lines last night is because we are missing two key players and we didn't have success with the lines that we had against Belfast, so what does he do play the same again and have no success or try and change it up to see if it works?

Discussed this so many times now. It's not the fact he has to change lines game to game for the reasons you say. It'd be nice if we could go a chunk of games with settled lines, but I understand why thst hasn't happened of late.
It's in game when you havn't got a clue whos playing with who by half way in the game because he starts randomly tapping players on the head to go have a shift(Thats how it appears at times).

[wgray]

Oct 30, 2016 11:24:55 GMT Bagheera said:

Oct 30, 2016 11:20:02 GMT wgray said:

The reason why he's altered the lines last night is because we are missing two key players and we didn't have success with the lines that we had against Belfast, so what does he do play the same again and have no success or try and change it up to see if it works?

Discussed this so many times now. It's not the fact he has to change lines game to game for the reasons you say. It'd be nice if we could go a chunk of games with settled lines, but I understand why thst hasn't happened of late.
It's in game when you havn't got a clue whos playing with who by half way in the game because he starts randomly tapping players on the head to go have a shift(Thats how it appears at times).

I agree that there doesn't seem to be any consistency in who he picks, it has frustrated me at times but he does need to try something. Let's see what happens tonight, hopefully we perform better and the lines are more consistent with a win

[Bagheera]

Oct 30, 2016 11:34:51 GMT wgray said:

Oct 30, 2016 11:24:55 GMT Bagheera said:

Discussed this so many times now. It's not the fact he has to change lines game to game for the reasons you say. It'd be nice if we could go a chunk of games with settled lines, but I understand why thst hasn't happened of late.
It's in game when you havn't got a clue whos playing with who by half way in the game because he starts randomly tapping players on the head to go have a shift(Thats how it appears at times).

I agree that there doesn't seem to be any consistency in who he picks, it has frustrated me at times but he does need to try something. Let's see what happens tonight, hopefully we perform better and the lines are more consistent with a win

Yep. Said in Game thread. Rocket up the backside should see an improved performance tonight. Can see a solid win.

[PantherB]

Until he does something monumentally wrong or goes these next two seasons without a trophy then i can't see Corey going anywhere.

He's one of the better, more successful coaches in the league. When we lose, it's 'Stupid inconsistent lines.. he has no idea'. When we win, it's always 'more of the same'. It's fickle to say the least.

I still support him, we've had 2 regulation losses so far, 1 OT loss.. Very little to worry about on paper but he does need to give the players a kick up the backside between periods.

[ted logan]

Oct 30, 2016 13:51:55 GMT PantherB said:

When we lose, it's 'Stupid inconsistent lines.. he has no idea'. When we win, it's always 'more of the same'. It's fickle to say the least.

Just to pick up on this bit. That's over simplifying matters.

When we lose the inconsistent lines are definitely part of the problem but not the entirety of the problem.

When we win and win well then of course people will want more of the same. However there are times when we win where the result can paper over the cracks. Ignore those cracks for long enough and you'll get found out. Then performances and results become wholly unacceptable.

Long way to go so hopefully CN/RS can see the cracks and will do whatever is needed to fix them.

[Kovalchuk17]

Corey's consistent line changes have never been praised even if we win 10-0, not once.

It's always seen (by pretty much everyone watching) as a negative. He gets a line working well, then makes it his prerogative to never play them together again. The most evident forwards in this was Kolnik & Moran last year... they started getting points together, struck up a chemistry that was producing at least a goal a game, then didn't play together after October!

It's clear to see Carter is skating round like a moody amateur, however he came in with 2 great mates/family on the team and I can't remember seeing any of them actually icing at the same time!

The defence suffers too... last night they were ripped apart on almost every Edinburgh attack, but when Jeff Dimmen steps out who comes with him? Is is Waugh? Lee? Spang?... I think he knows as much as I do! How can that be an effective way of defending when you don't know who your D partner will be??

Ask anyone who's played any team sport at any level: Is it better to know your teammates inside out and work with who you know OR play with someone different every game?

The last line that went over 5 games without changing once? Ling, Graham & Benedict. Not a single settled line since 2013.

[wgray]

Oct 30, 2016 15:30:24 GMT Kovalchuk17 said:

Corey's consistent line changes have never been praised even if we win 10-0, not once.

It's always seen (by pretty much everyone watching) as a negative. He gets a line working well, then makes it his prerogative to never play them together again. The most evident forwards in this was Kolnik & Moran last year... they started getting points together, struck up a chemistry that was producing at least a goal a game, then didn't play together after October!

It's clear to see Carter is skating round like a moody amateur, however he came in with 2 great mates/family on the team and I can't remember seeing any of them actually icing at the same time!

The defence suffers too... last night they were ripped apart on almost every Edinburgh attack, but when Jeff Dimmen steps out who comes with him? Is is Waugh? Lee? Spang?... I think he knows as much as I do! How can that be an effective way of defending when you don't know who your D partner will be??

Ask anyone who's played any team sport at any level: Is it better to know your teammates inside out and work with who you know OR play with someone different every game?

The last line that went over 5 games without changing once? Ling, Graham & Benedict. Not a single settled line since 2013.

I don't think that the defence partnerships are the problem, Dimmen plays with Spang, the problem we've got at the minute is that Lindhagen is playing forward so that leaves 5 d men, this ultimately means someone has to double shift. If anything we would have been better off playing Lindhagen on d last night so we had three set defence partnerships but then you can't play 4 line hockey

[kezypanther]

TBH there is no point in playing 4 line hockey if you can't do it effectively. With Lawrence and Schultz out I dont think we can. Why not just keep Lindhagen on D and play three lines? If it means someone staying in the bench for a lot of the game then so be it. Why Lindhagen was taking face offs last night is also a mystery.

[Mozzy]

If I can add my views as an "outsider".

I think your record this season is OK, it's not that long ago that most on here were heaping praise on the best netminding duo and best D in the league. They are good players and will win you games.

I believe your biggest issues are on your forward lines. Most people believed a lack of firepower in the summer and that is how it is shaping up. Yes, you are two good players down in that area but Chris Lawrence, whilst a decent player just isn't a Doucet, Roy or Forney type player. He's not a game changer imo. Schultz is a much better player but his recent history suggests he won't play enough games to make a real difference.

Corey has been around long enough to know what is needed, I'm sure he'll have you in a cup final again and probably another trophy. 

I do also believe that coaches can hang around too long and it eventually start going wrong. Things become stale and repetitive. Maybe a fresh outlook in your locker room would be better rather than another two years of the same old.

[dexter]

Apart from your analysis of our record a very sensible post Mozzy, wouldn't disagree with any of the rest of it. But I don't think you would have the same view on recent events if it was Steelers that had lost those games.

[panthersdave]

The steelers had a very average start last season too, not sure but it may have been even worse than ours, they even lost at least once to the Caps if memory serves.

It's still early and there are issues, I'm sure the coaches are aware and this is where they earn their money. A bit too early to go into full panic mode. This coming weekend will tell us a lot.