SIGNINGS...🙄

[shinobi]

I did laugh in all honesty; so the fact that most of us probably haven’t played hockey, means we aren’t entitled to any opinion & using social media to voice our displeasure means we’re deemed to be “morons.”

🤣🤣🤣

[iginla]

Yep there’s only one thing embarrassing and that’s Oakfords reaction to fan criticism of what can only be described as a shocking set of recent results and also Panthers truly woeful overall record in the league.
Realistically there are only 4 teams who can win the league and Panthers last four years have yielded a finishing position of 4th,4th,5th and 4th.
I’d love to hear him explain how the biggest team in the land has only mounted a truly shocking ONE league title challenge from 18 arena seasons.

One can only assume the teaching career isn’t going too well and he’s after a job in Panthers office.
With his outlook on EIHL hockey,he’d fit in pretty well to the Panthers mantra !

[Yotes]

They seem to be arguing different things. Green seems to be of the rather wet opinion you shouldn't say mean things online, because the players are such rampant narcissists that they rush here and there to see what we write about them. I would think it's pretty easy to avoid reading stuff online. If someone's sending you the stuff (on Twitter etc) that's one thing, but if you lose 8 in a row and go looking for what people think of you you can hardly be surprised it's not glowing.

Oakford's point, as Shin says above, seems to be the old "you've never played, so shut up". That he tries to prove that by sneeringly picking on a couple of people who perhaps weren't able to express their point as clearly as they'd like - the overuse of dump and chase is hardly an opinion unique to that chap - paints him as a rather unpleasant character tbh. He didn't actually rebuff any of the points they were trying to make, just mocked them for how they tried to express them. Given the point Green seemed to be trying to make, it's perhaps slightly contradictory to then be mean to some fans on a podcast you've posted for the world to listen to.

Some rather strange replies to the original tweet as well, frankly.

[ant]

These views are considered actually. Thus the debate. If we were booing in the moment ( although totally deserved) that would be knee jerk and spur of the moment. To be honest I didn't make a negative comment for the first six weeks of the 'blip' but the non replacement of Mosey followed by the sacking and non- replacement of Shalla is let's say .... a little different to the policy of our rivals. For example, our nearest and dearest who flew a guy in just after their double shut out of us!
I'm no keyboard warrior as my total number of posts ( about 10% of the number of games that I've been to) shows.
And most of all, how dare you criticise us who shed out thousands over the years and will do in the future again. But this arrogance just sums up the current club set up and I'm not paying any more cash until there are changes. If you think that makes me disloyal then after 21 seasons and my trips go Scotland and Whitley Bay just to try and scrape into the playoffs then frankly so what. I have a family and I will spend my £70 doing something else with them for the next few weeks. Take a look at the amount of effort Kevin Nolan is getting out of his players at Mesdow Lane Panthers. Yes Sam we know this team beat Bern. That's kind of the point!
Oh and BLACK OUT! Considered response over.

[iginla]

Jan 9, 2018 21:53:32 GMT Yotes said:

They seem to be arguing different things. Green seems to be of the rather wet opinion you shouldn't say mean things online, because the players are such rampant narcissists that they rush here and there to see what we write about them. I would think it's pretty easy to avoid reading stuff online. If someone's sending you the stuff (on Twitter etc) that's one thing, but if you lose 8 in a row and go looking for what people think of you you can hardly be surprised it's not glowing.

Oakford's point, as Shin says above, seems to be the old "you've never played, so shut up". That he tries to prove that by sneeringly picking on a couple of people who perhaps weren't able to express their point as clearly as they'd like - the overuse of dump and chase is hardly an opinion unique to that chap - paints him as a rather unpleasant character tbh. He didn't actually rebuff any of the points they were trying to make, just mocked them for how they tried to express them. Given the point Green seemed to be trying to make, it's perhaps slightly contradictory to then be mean to some fans on a podcast you've posted for the world to listen to.

Some rather strange replies to the original tweet as well, frankly.

Oakford seems a prime candidate for an interview on TCW to me......then we can ask him some questions.

[tootootrain]

Jan 9, 2018 18:16:40 GMT Mark said:

Who actually gives a toss what Sam Oakford says?

Indeed, or Green for thar matter. A trainee teacher and an 'accommodation officer'?

Yes they used to be hockey players (though far from outstanding ones) but they're not anymore. If they had been much more than bench warmers and door openers I might respect their opinion, but as it is I'd rather they just said "thank you" to the fanbase for subsidising their time sat riding the pine and keep their poorly formed opinions to themselves.

[tootootrain]

Jan 9, 2018 22:45:58 GMT iginla said:

Oakford seems a prime candidate for an interview on TCW to me......then we can ask him some questions.

I suppose as an ex-player he is safe territory for potentially negative questions from the TCW team.

I doubt they'd go near Green though, what with him being a company man these days.

[PantherG]

I jumped to the bit where they were talking about the critics, had to laugh where Dan Green said he has had good games, I clearly never seen those games as he was beyond embarrassing when he backed us up, his final game will live on in memory for how awful it was...

The guys are deluded and taken a script from Thommo of the Steelers where you’re not permitted to judge a performance since you’ve never played the game... dear oh dear.. think I’ll stick to the Cats Whiskers rather than that rubbish thanks. Managed just that part and switched off as both voices really grate..

[Deleted]

Jan 9, 2018 22:47:27 GMT tootootrain said:

Jan 9, 2018 18:16:40 GMT Mark said:

Who actually gives a toss what Sam Oakford says?

Indeed, or Green for thar matter. A trainee teacher and an 'accommodation officer'?

Yes they used to be hockey players (though far from outstanding ones) but they're not anymore. If they had been much more than bench warmers and door openers I might respect their opinion, but as it is I'd rather they just said "thank you" to the fanbase for subsidising their time sat riding the pine and keep their poorly formed opinions to themselves.

Whilst I haven’t heard the podcast yet so can’t make a judgement, is their career choice really an insult? It’s a bit condescending to say “why should I listen to a trainee teacher and someone who works in an office”. Yes they weren’t ever EIHL all stars, but the fact is they’re former players, have been in the locker room and are putting in the effort to give a new unique insight on things. You and I may disagree with some of their opinions, but it’s as close as you’re gonna get to current players talking about hot topics (exception of Chris Holt on Braeheads podcast when he was over here). Just think a little bit more respect is owed to them for daring to go into territory they know will divide opinions.

[Deleted]

What I think they have been trying to get at(they have said it but not stressed it enough) is that it's the personal side of things that aren't acceptable which I'm inclined to agree with. Nobody should be attacked in a personal manner for doing their job be it good or bad.

What I find strange though is that other than 2/3 comments I haven't seen much said that would fall into the above category so the rant about this isn't really required. Maybe just trying to deflect attention from the real issues here.

I understand both ex-players will still have good friends at the club so seeing their abilities questioned may be difficult for them to read but make no mistake the vast majority of the criticism aimed at players, management and club has been more than warranted.

If you're a professional athlete then your performance is going to be subject to judgment be it positive or negative. It's your decision whether you choose to read or not. It's very easy to not be on social media.

I would never make a personal or nasty attack on a player but if I'm contributing to somebody's wages and I don't feel they are pulling their weight then I have a right to put my opinion out there in the same way I have the right to praise somebody when they exceed expectations.

You have to take the rough with the smooth and what I would say to Sam and Dan(I'd happily say it to their faces) is that out of all things wrong at Panthers currently, the fans are very low on the list of problems so aim your crosshairs elsewhere. .

[tootootrain]

Jan 9, 2018 23:10:55 GMT toothfairy said:

Just think a little bit more respect is owed to them for daring to go into territory they know will divide opinions.

And you're entitled to think what you want.

I, on the other hand, believe that two quite unremarkable ice hockey players, (one who has left the sport, and the other who is still somehow holding on for grim death in a backroom position of debatable worth) should have more respect for those who funded (and still do in the case of Green) their hockey careers.

One wonders if Oakford's apparent disdain for non-'qualified' people voicing their opinions carries over to his life? Does he restrict his opinions to hockey and teacher training?

Let's hope he puts as much effort into his lesson planning as he does slagging-off those who paid for all that contemplation time he had, whilst picking splinters out of his backside on game nights.

[ant]

And I support this team because I come from Nottingham not because I'm looking to hero worship it's team members . That is possible when they perform heroic deeds and when they are average then they get apathy.

[shinobi]

Yup, hope he gets his class room displays sorted out & the marking of school books 🤣

[ashfieldpanther]

Jan 9, 2018 15:45:53 GMT jdizpt8 said:

I’d love some news this week but that doesn’t sound likely!! I’d also be having a word with Mike Cazzola up in Edinburgh, he’s just below a PPG on a terrible caps team and scored 30 last year in the ECHL. There’s also Shawn Lalonde who looks a very good D man that I’d look to bring in to tighten up at the back.

If you read the Shawn Lalonde situation, the coach has made him a healthy scratch as a kick up the backside. Lalonde, being a former NHL,AHL player thinks he's too good to be a healthy scratch in the German league. Given his likely current wage, can you really see him being tempted to earn beer money in the Uk.

[iginla]

Jan 10, 2018 8:04:57 GMT ashfieldpanther said:

Jan 9, 2018 15:45:53 GMT jdizpt8 said:

I’d love some news this week but that doesn’t sound likely!! I’d also be having a word with Mike Cazzola up in Edinburgh, he’s just below a PPG on a terrible caps team and scored 30 last year in the ECHL. There’s also Shawn Lalonde who looks a very good D man that I’d look to bring in to tighten up at the back.

If you read the Shawn Lalonde situation, the coach has made him a healthy scratch as a kick up the backside. Lalonde, being a former NHL,AHL player thinks he's too good to be a healthy scratch in the German league. Given his likely current wage, can you really see him being tempted to earn beer money in the Uk.

Ooooh I dunno.
Sounds to me like Panthers would be the ideal club for Lalonde,even for beer money.
Guaranteed to play every game and doesn’t have to kill himself for a coach who won’t even push him ! 😂

[dp]

Another angle to this Oakford/Green thing is that it just typifies the cushy, pampered nature of the entire Panthers organisation - and, in fact, UK hockey in general.

Imagine if there was an equivalent to Match of the Day over here, where very highly regarded former pros spent hours on end highlighting every tiny mistake they made. Or if the press weren’t controlled by GM and actually asked tough questions and criticised. It’s not just Panthers either - look at Fitzgerald’s grump about Westerdale daring to criticise their heavy loss in Belfast. And that wasn’t particularly scathing by any means - basically just said they looked tired after such a long run of games and lacked discipline.

Or is this just a problem with modern society??

[wgray]

Jan 10, 2018 10:25:15 GMT dp said:

Another angle to this Oakford/Green thing is that it just typifies the cushy, pampered nature of the entire Panthers organisation - and, in fact, UK hockey in general.

Imagine if there was an equivalent to Match of the Day over here, where very highly regarded former pros spent hours on end highlighting every tiny mistake they made. Or if the press weren’t controlled by GM and actually asked tough questions and criticised. It’s not just Panthers either - look at Fitzgerald’s grump about Westerdale daring to criticise their heavy loss in Belfast. And that wasn’t particularly scathing by any means - basically just said they looked tired after such a long run of games and lacked discipline.

Or is this just a problem with modern society??

This thread is a real mess... but anyway, I had the same thought the other day with regards how comfy it has been for them and still is at Panthers, the fact that they tried to sweep over how poor it has been proved this really. As an example and as much as I despise them it’s never comfortable in Sheffield unless they are winning, look at their turnover of players when it goes bad, they try and put it right.

Oakford’s belittlement of the fans was pretty embarrassing and it left me a bit angry and dissapointed, you’d think he’d show some respect to the people that have supported him over previous years. In some cases people can struggle to get across what they think is wrong, this can stem from anger and frustration from how they played, as well as the fact that it isn’t just an individual case and happens year after year. Had these people been attacking him then I could have understood why he was retaliating but it wasn’t so there was no need for him to do what he did.

Fans are entitled to their opinions whether they’ve played the game or not, if he believes that a fan knows nothing because they haven’t played the game then I respect his thoughts but it shows what he thinks of the majority of our fans. For that reason I’m glad he doesn’t play for us anymore.

[iginla]

Jan 10, 2018 16:16:38 GMT wgray said:

Jan 10, 2018 10:25:15 GMT dp said:

Another angle to this Oakford/Green thing is that it just typifies the cushy, pampered nature of the entire Panthers organisation - and, in fact, UK hockey in general.

Imagine if there was an equivalent to Match of the Day over here, where very highly regarded former pros spent hours on end highlighting every tiny mistake they made. Or if the press weren’t controlled by GM and actually asked tough questions and criticised. It’s not just Panthers either - look at Fitzgerald’s grump about Westerdale daring to criticise their heavy loss in Belfast. And that wasn’t particularly scathing by any means - basically just said they looked tired after such a long run of games and lacked discipline.

Or is this just a problem with modern society??

This thread is a real mess... but anyway, I had the same thought the other day with regards how comfy it has been for them and still is at Panthers, the fact that they tried to sweep over how poor it has been proved this really. As an example and as much as I despise them it’s never comfortable in Sheffield unless they are winning, look at their turnover of players when it goes bad, they try and put it right.

Oakford’s belittlement of the fans was pretty embarrassing and it left me a bit angry and dissapointed, you’d think he’d show some respect to the people that have supported him over previous years. In some cases people can struggle to get across what they think is wrong, this can stem from anger and frustration from how they played, as well as the fact that it isn’t just an individual case and happens year after year. Had these people been attacking him then I could have understood why he was retaliating but it wasn’t so there was no need for him to do what he did.

Fans are entitled to their opinions whether they’ve played the game or not, if he believes that a fan knows nothing because they haven’t played the game then I respect his thoughts but it shows what he thinks of the majority of our fans. For that reason I’m glad he doesn’t play for us anymore.

Spot on mate.
That’s why I’d like to debate it with him,because he shouldn’t be allowed to get away with calling fans morons etc.
Fans are entitled to criticise yes,but I don’t remember ever seeing a post where a fan said something like “oh Josh Shalla isn’t scoring,he’s a moron” !
Oakford picked up a couple of posts from people who were maybe not that clued up about the game or were possibly new ish fans and simply tarred all fans expressing their exasperation’s with the same brush.

That’s not on !

[BigLad]

FWIW I don't believe either Green or Oakford came onto the Cage before the podcast. They were reacting to stuff posted on Twitter mainly.

This is based off a tweet their twitter handle sent out not long after the show became available.

[grrm]

At one point in the Green / Oakford podcast they say the fans instead of going on social media to show their displeasure at the run of truly awful performances, should instead go home and chill with a glass of wine.

I think that probably says more about how the players / management have been treating things!

You can understand how Green & Oakford might be "biased" towards defending the Panthers, but their total blase attitude as to why fans, who pay the Panthers wages, would feel agrieved was both shocking and indicative of the total indifference the Panthers organisation has towards their fans - disgusting.

[iginla]

Jan 10, 2018 16:48:55 GMT BigLad said:

FWIW I don't believe either Green or Oakford came onto the Cage before the podcast. They were reacting to stuff posted on Twitter mainly.

This is based off a tweet their twitter handle sent out not long after the show became available.

Oakford actually said during his rant that “ i actually read the forum earlier” so as they are referring to Panthers in their piece,one can reasonably assume it was the Cage Forum.

Can’t imagine it was Steeltalk or The inferno can you !

[iginla]

Jan 10, 2018 17:45:09 GMT grrm said:

At one point in the Green / Oakford podcast they say the fans instead of going on social media to show their displeasure at the run of truly awful performances, should instead go home and chill with a glass of wine.

I think that probably says more about how the players / management have been treating things!

You can understand how Green & Oakford might be "biased" towards defending the Panthers, but their total blase attitude as to why fans, who pay the Panthers wages, would feel agrieved was both shocking and indicative of the total indifference the Panthers organisation has towards their fans - disgusting.

Indeed yes.
Oakford and Green take exactly the same sort of attitude that the Panthers organisation have to all things critical of the club.

To be honest,I wouldn’t be at all surprised if GM put them up to this little stunt.

[Yotes]

I didn't recognize either name of the people he picked on, I don't think the comments were from here, but that's irrelevant anyway. He belittled a couple of paying fans, sorry, moronic keyboard warriors who should stick to their lane, who had the temerity to comment on how we were playing in a particular game (no personal insults involved).

[BigLad]

Jan 10, 2018 17:48:52 GMT iginla said:

Jan 10, 2018 16:48:55 GMT BigLad said:

FWIW I don't believe either Green or Oakford came onto the Cage before the podcast. They were reacting to stuff posted on Twitter mainly.

This is based off a tweet their twitter handle sent out not long after the show became available.

Oakford actually said during his rant that “ i actually read the forum earlier” so as they are referring to Panthers in their piece,one can reasonably assume it was the Cage Forum.

Can’t imagine it was Steeltalk or The inferno can you !

THF? Facebook?

The fact that he used real names leads it to Facebook more than likely.

The question was asked about the Cage and they said next time they will.

[Kovalchuk17]

Reference Oakford:

Fans pay their money to watch, that money that pays their wages etc. and sponsors choose to support the club because of what they think it’ll get them with the fan base (looking for a return on investment). Every part of his experience at the Panthers was funded and driven by fans. No arguments.

If players don’t want to see or hear criticism, I’d suggest they remove themselves off Twitter etc as fans have every right to their opinion - good, bad or ugly. Perhaps Sam should sit in the stands, correcting any ‘moronic’ fans!

At least the fans voice or write their opinions in open forums, rather than hiding behind a microphone with no opposing views.

You also can’t have it both ways. The adulation after Bern etc. was gladly taken but comments after 8 straight losses and ‘hitting rock bottom’ as Neilson put it, suddenly the fans shouldn’t be allowed an opinion.

Oakford I’m sure has an opinion on things he’s perhaps not qualified on - Brexit, Movies, restaurants etc. Even NHL hockey if he watches it... according to his logic, he shouldn’t have an opinion because he’s never played in the NHL!

The whole thing is ludicrous.
Watch any sports programme and they all employ people (often not ex-players) to commentate and pass opinion on matches.

Perhaps someone should tell Sam he’s not qualified to comment on Panthers fans because we’ve actually been Panthers fans!