The great Braehead Clan bottle job..... Part two.

[Deleted]

Can they do it again? Can they throw away the league title just like last season? It seems even easier this year but you never know. 

[MODSTUFF]

I was just considering creating a thread that would bring up the whole easier conference debate again. I believe it's obviously easier and anyone who can't see that must be Scottish.

I was going to ask if people would prefer steelers or Clan to win it. I would like anyone to win it over the clan. Not because I dislike the clan (I do dislike them) but to maintain the tournament's value. The second Clan win it from the easiest conference the value of the trophy disappears.

Clan fans will certainly enjoy winning it, but at the back of their mind they will know that it was an easier ride to victory.

[The Flying Shirt]

Jan 17, 2016 20:14:39 GMT MODSTUFF said:

I was just considering creating a thread that would bring up the whole easier conference debate again. I believe it's obviously easier and anyone who can't see that must be Scottish.

I was going to ask if people would prefer steelers or Clan to win it. I would like anyone to win it over the clan. Not because I dislike the clan (I do dislike them) but to maintain the tournament's value. The second Clan win it from the easiest conference the value of the trophy disappears.

Clan fans will certainly enjoy winning it, but at the back of their mind they will know that it was an easier ride to victory.

As easy as it should have been for us? And then win it just once?

[Deleted]

Of course it's easier, I just can't see them choking two years running.

Potentially the Devils fans are going to be real miffed over the situation, which is actually really funny as it's the Devils but you can see their point.

[panthers_nyr]

It is an easy job and it loses the value of the title. Obviously I want us to win it don't think that's going to happen now but I'd rather Clan win it than Squeelers or the whiney Devils. Mainly due to how much I dislike both of the teams.

[texpef]

I WANT THE PANTHERS TO WIN IT... simples...

If they don't I hardly care but in order of care less its clan then devils then steelers imho..

[MODSTUFF]

Jan 17, 2016 20:18:13 GMT The Flying Shirt said:

Jan 17, 2016 20:14:39 GMT MODSTUFF said:

I was just considering creating a thread that would bring up the whole easier conference debate again. I believe it's obviously easier and anyone who can't see that must be Scottish.

I was going to ask if people would prefer steelers or Clan to win it. I would like anyone to win it over the clan. Not because I dislike the clan (I do dislike them) but to maintain the tournament's value. The second Clan win it from the easiest conference the value of the trophy disappears.

Clan fans will certainly enjoy winning it, but at the back of their mind they will know that it was an easier ride to victory.

As easy as it should have been for us? And then win it just once?

I'm sorry. I've read your question a few times and I can't make out what you're asking?

[Discoray]

Jan 17, 2016 19:44:31 GMT @jordannooooooo said:

Can they do it again? Can they throw away the league title just like last season? It seems even easier this year but you never know. 

To say we "threw it away" would imply we were favorites to win to at the start of last season. We were not, and still aren't this season. We're a team with the 5th/6th budget in the league looking to be a regular top 3 side. We also rely heavily on both the coach and players to overachieve in order to have a chance at winning the league. If we ever do, I'll party for a week and anyone to suggest it's less worthy or needs an asterisk or the like is just in post-season hangover mode due to their team not winning it.

If you check our transactions, you'll see the Clan haven't fired a player since season 2012/13. Players have only been brought in to directly replace others who left due to getting better offers overseas, or being unsettled in the UK. The only outright spare player we've had in recent years was Jeff Smith last season. When Kyle Jones went down for a month in season 13/14, we had to run with Mike Will the entire time. It's only been this year that we've ever drafted in a new import keeper for a longer-term injury.

Due to ridiculous SIHA rules with two-way contracts, we can virtually never use our affiliate players as they play almost the same days we do, and Solway also being over 2 hours away in travel makes last minute drafting very difficult. We even had to get Brad Day in a couple of times as an emergency back-up as we weren't allowed a Scottish player due to such rules.

So we still have a ways to go, and it's why Ryan Finnerty has impressed me so much as the Clan Head Coach. Especially when you consider the amount of resources he was given to make changes when coaching the Steelers if he thought players weren't working out. It's also why I won't be too shocked or disappointed if we don't win the league, and why Finner would earn a big chunk of the credit if we ever did. I'm personally satisfied if we can regularly break into the top 3, and look to make more an impact in the cups. (At least until our new arena saga get's solved.)

[Deleted]

Knew you'd bite....

Edit - & after unfortunately reading your post it's complete guff, as it was last season when the same topic was mentioned. 

[Discoray]

Then by all means please clarify, because there isn't one bit in my post that isn't fact.

[dp]

Jan 17, 2016 21:23:26 GMT Discoray said:

Then by all means please clarify, because there isn't one bit in my post that isn't fact.

If you've got the 5th/6th biggest budget in the league can you prove it if it's "fact"? When you signed your squad at the start of the season I thought it was about the most expensive that an Elite League team had ever put together. Very much built for the CHL.

Finnerty being such an average coach is the only thing keeping it competitive because Clan should have absolutely walked it. Clan have done better in cross-conference games this season (although still not enough to win the league) but that just makes the fact they're not walking it even worse.

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2016 21:23:26 GMT Discoray said:

Then by all means please clarify, because there isn't one bit in my post that isn't fact.

Prove the budgets for starters, actual numbers of yours & all the teams who have supposedly spent more. I need to see official team budgets for this from their finance offices. These official budgets need to be being held by the finance managers/relevant qualified personnel of the teams with a copy of a recent newspaper with them to prove them accurate. 

If you achieve this then it's a fact. Otherwise, it's total rubbish. 

[Yotes]

Jan 17, 2016 21:00:54 GMT Discoray said:

We're a team with the 5th/6th budget in the league looking to be a regular top 3 side.

We're well used to seeing team budgets bandied about on here, but I don't really see how any of us can know this? I'd be surprised if you were that low given the quality players you have.

The Gardiner Conference is, I'm afraid, easier. And with this being Manchester's debut season, it's easier than it was last year with an impressive Stingrays side in it. But I've never seen any reason why Braehead should be beaten up about it, it's not like they alone decided we were going to this system. It is what it is.

I think it'll come down to Clan & Devils this time out.

[iginla]

I think you need to go and check the resume's of your imports Discoray,because whilst you may lack depth of Brits,your imports are as good as anybody's.

Go check Jackman,Meyer,Keith,Leavitt,Brooks,Holt/Fullerton,Bruton,Fritsch and Mciver,they are top players and Aarson,Gotz and Pitt are very decent too.
The only one who didn't look too great was Nesbitt but he seems to have turned out pretty good too.

i would love to see the Clans % spend of income against the same for Panthers,because I would bet my house your spend % is considerably higher than ours !

[ted logan]

Jan 17, 2016 21:40:06 GMT iginla said:

I would love to see the Clans % spend of income against the same for Panthers,because I would bet my house your spend % is considerably higher than ours !

Not just them.

I would bet that every team in the leagues spend % is higher than ours.

[iginla]

Do you know what Ted.....you are very probably right there.

[Shorty]

Jan 17, 2016 21:00:54 GMT Discoray said:

We also rely heavily on both the coach and players to overachieve in order to have a chance at winning the league.






If Finnerty manages to get dressed by himself he has already over achieved for the day.

[Ghost]

Jan 17, 2016 21:00:54 GMT Discoray said:

Jan 17, 2016 19:44:31 GMT @jordannooooooo said:

Can they do it again? Can they throw away the league title just like last season? It seems even easier this year but you never know. 

To say we "threw it away" would imply we were favorites to win to at the start of last season. We were not, and still aren't this season. We're a team with the 5th/6th budget in the league looking to be a regular top 3 side. We also rely heavily on both the coach and players to overachieve in order to have a chance at winning the league. If we ever do, I'll party for a week and anyone to suggest it's less worthy or needs an asterisk or the like is just in post-season hangover mode due to their team not winning it.

If you check our transactions, you'll see the Clan haven't fired a player since season 2012/13. Players have only been brought in to directly replace others who left due to getting better offers overseas, or being unsettled in the UK. The only outright spare player we've had in recent years was Jeff Smith last season. When Kyle Jones went down for a month in season 13/14, we had to run with Mike Will the entire time. It's only been this year that we've ever drafted in a new import keeper for a longer-term injury.

Due to ridiculous SIHA rules with two-way contracts, we can virtually never use our affiliate players as they play almost the same days we do, and Solway also being over 2 hours away in travel makes last minute drafting very difficult. We even had to get Brad Day in a couple of times as an emergency back-up as we weren't allowed a Scottish player due to such rules.

So we still have a ways to go, and it's why Ryan Finnerty has impressed me so much as the Clan Head Coach. Especially when you consider the amount of resources he was given to make changes when coaching the Steelers if he thought players weren't working out. It's also why I won't be too shocked or disappointed if we don't win the league, and why Finner would earn a big chunk of the credit if we ever did. I'm personally satisfied if we can regularly break into the top 3, and look to make more an impact in the cups. (At least until our new arena saga get's solved.)

Nothing on the (heavy) influence of the conference system?

[MODSTUFF]

Maybe he's finally realised?? But maybe we are all wrong and Clan's conference is the more difficult one. I mean Fife did beat us at home a few times last season. Or summat

[Dan]

It becomes easier when you see that Edinburgh are either having financial trouble or entirely phoning it in.

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2016 21:32:16 GMT @jordannooooooo said:

Jan 17, 2016 21:23:26 GMT Discoray said:

Then by all means please clarify, because there isn't one bit in my post that isn't fact.

Prove the budgets for starters, actual numbers of yours & all the teams who have supposedly spent more. I need to see official team budgets for this from their finance offices. These official budgets need to be being held by the finance managers/relevant qualified personnel of the teams with a copy of a recent newspaper with them to prove them accurate. 

If you achieve this then it's a fact. Otherwise, it's total rubbish. 

Waiting, Discoray. Waiting....

[shmyrohdear]

Jan 17, 2016 21:00:54 GMT Discoray said:

Jan 17, 2016 19:44:31 GMT @jordannooooooo said:

Can they do it again? Can they throw away the league title just like last season? It seems even easier this year but you never know. 

To say we "threw it away" would imply we were favorites to win to at the start of last season. We were not, and still aren't this season. We're a team with the 5th/6th budget in the league looking to be a regular top 3 side. We also rely heavily on both the coach and players to overachieve in order to have a chance at winning the league. If we ever do, I'll party for a week and anyone to suggest it's less worthy or needs an asterisk or the like is just in post-season hangover mode due to their team not winning it.

If you check our transactions, you'll see the Clan haven't fired a player since season 2012/13. Players have only been brought in to directly replace others who left due to getting better offers overseas, or being unsettled in the UK. The only outright spare player we've had in recent years was Jeff Smith last season. When Kyle Jones went down for a month in season 13/14, we had to run with Mike Will the entire time. It's only been this year that we've ever drafted in a new import keeper for a longer-term injury.

Due to ridiculous SIHA rules with two-way contracts, we can virtually never use our affiliate players as they play almost the same days we do, and Solway also being over 2 hours away in travel makes last minute drafting very difficult. We even had to get Brad Day in a couple of times as an emergency back-up as we weren't allowed a Scottish player due to such rules.

So we still have a ways to go, and it's why Ryan Finnerty has impressed me so much as the Clan Head Coach. Especially when you consider the amount of resources he was given to make changes when coaching the Steelers if he thought players weren't working out. It's also why I won't be too shocked or disappointed if we don't win the league, and why Finner would earn a big chunk of the credit if we ever did. I'm personally satisfied if we can regularly break into the top 3, and look to make more an impact in the cups. (At least until our new arena saga get's solved.)

Sorry but your budget will still be on close to others at the top you can see the quality you've brought in this season just from their CV's alone. You have the easiest schedule going into the final stretch yet again this year if you play to the potential of your players on paper you should be taking the league trophy. How you don't feel peeved you didn't last time i do not know had we had your run of fixtures and lost out I'd be mad, and supporter for the top end teams would be too if they were in your position. It's not just about the standard of competition around you its also about length of travel too that factors in.

[Doom]

You only have to look at the top level experience on the Clan roster compared to their conference rivals to see what a big advantage they have:

NHL Experience:

1. Braehead 317 games
2. Edinburgh 0 games
3. Dundee 0 games
4. Manchester 0 games
5. Fife 0 games

AHL or similar experience:

1. Braehead 2841 games
2. Dundee 797 games
3. Manchester 466 games
4. Edinburgh 235 games
5. Fife 224 games

Even when you compare with our conference, Braehead are only 2nd to Nottingham in terms of NHL games and 3rd behind Sheffield and Nottingham in terms of AHL or similar games.

It's a high level roster that was put together to compete in the Champions League and is up there with the Erhardt rosters. The problem is, most of their games aren't against the Erhardt rosters, but the much weaker Gardiner rosters.

Braehead will canter away with the league in February unless Cardiff find a way to start winning regularly in Sheffield, Belfast and Nottingham......That's a very big ask.

Regards

Doom

[DonClaneone]

If we have the weaker Conference then how come the Erhardt teams are struggling against the Gardiner teams? If you can't win against supposedly weaker opposition then you don't have a right to complain.

Besides was it not the big boys who wanted more games against each other, if we did win the league we'll have earned it, not because of the conference but because we were the better team after 52 games.

[NotMartinTuma]

Jan 19, 2016 23:12:55 GMT DonClaneone said:

If we have the weaker Conference then how come the Erhardt teams are struggling against the Gardiner teams? If you can't win against supposedly weaker opposition then you don't have a right to complain.

Besides was it not the big boys who wanted more games against each other, if we did win the league we'll have earned it, not because of the conference but because we were the better team after 52 games.

Gardiner teams in the top 5 = 1
Gardiner teams in the bottom 5 = 4