VancouverRule84 said:
I've never posted on here before however I constantly check and read to help me keep up to date with people's thoughts on the Devils. However lately things have been going on during the game where I feel I'd like to comment.
During the Clan game last night in the FINAL minute of the game (during a devils time out) the fans began shouting BRING BACK G, BRING BACK G. A couple of things puzzled me when hearing this.
1st - 2 nil down last minute of the game not the greatest time to hear this (support is what was needed)
2nd - what did the fans think G was going to do fly into the blue tent wearing his superman outfit and score two goals! (I think not)
I understand that things have gone on behind closed doors and G leaving or being made to walk could of been handled a little better but come on.
He coached us for I think 6-7 seasons and we haven't won anything in that time (apart from Guinness book of records thing). Big fan of G's but come on a change was needed!!!
Is Pope the right man for the job, umm maybe not. But all of you seem to forget its easy to blame the management but what about the players.....!!
The players should be held accountable as well. A lot of half arsed effort, until the final two minutes then we play, really, NOT GOOD ENOUGH DEVILS.
Back in the day that sort of attitude got you benched.
I don't say I know everything, and I don't say I'm always right. But what I will say is paying £17 + week after week to hear the fans moaning and shouting crappy comments is not what anyone wants.
I know we struggling and going though a massive dry spot on goals (and wins) but come on next games the steelers. Even if the players don't turn up, let's show them why the RED ARMY FANS AT HOME IN THE BLUE TENT ARE THE MOST FEARED FANS AROUND.
Block 2 + 3 let's get behind the team and sure the rest of the tent will follow. Maybe even lift the team enough to slam the steeler!!!!!!
PS. If you don't agree, I'd love to here your thoughts. However I'm not looking to fight anyone, remember these are my opinions not gospel....! Oh yer and stop being so horrible to the drummer on twitter. Without him all we would hear is the away fans.
Thanks for reading.......
Any post that puts forward a rational, reasoned viewpoint gets my vote in these polarized times
It seems that as a Devils fan you can't be balanced anymore. If you're not in the anti-Ragan/Pope camp you must be in the other and vice verser.
I do think the size of the anti-club argument is likely and inevitably exaggerated given that those with the strongest opinions are always the loudest and will be posting more often on here and twitter etc. We can get a little insular on here and forget that the majority of attendees last night (of which looked pretty healthy to me) probably no little about who the coach was or is, or really care too much about how the change came about. The 'hardcore' are a minority of the people that turn out on match nights.
That said, I also suspect there are a great many fans who are unhappy with the way the club is being run, but who are (from a purely hockey perspective) not unhappy to see Adams go. I'm certainly one of them. It's the kind of view point which is less polarized and therefore less likely to be posting furiously on here and twitter.
From a hockey point of view (and this is a hockey forum) Adams' results record as a player coach is reasonable to good given the club he coaches at. I would describe him as a safe pair of hands from a results standpoint.
His entertainment record is poor and this can't be underestimated imo. I stopped buying a season ticket because the hockey was so dire to watch.
The same traits of nobody going to net, nobody clearing the crease, soft teams, unfit teams not playing for 60 minutes, mentally questionable teams that can't quite get over the line, an unwillingness to enter the European market (with the added bonus of getting players in quickly), little alternative to dump and chase when it's not working. These were all flaws under Adams that seem to have been forgotten. Remember, there was thread on here that had a decent support not long before the sacking calling for him to go.
Of course, there were a lot of positives to Adams' coaching, but I'm just trying to provide some balance in relation to the general theme on here
It feels a little like people are reacting when a lead singer dies young. Suddenly mediocrity is celebrated as greatness when it never was.
I think there is a clear line between how things have been dealt with at the club (info fans shouldn't be privy to anyway) and Adams' record as coach, but it seems many are mixing the two up.
I'm not saying Pope is the answer, but I'm going to judge the on ice situation from a hockey point of view and nothing more. The start has not been good, but I can see 'green shoots' of recovery as it were.
The reality is the team is not playing like a team. The effort is there, but the confidence, fitness and quality is not at the moment. To compound the problems, individuals are making mistakes. For example...we'd have won that game if Blight had converted those sitters.
The team has it within them to improve and seems that maybe it's a couple of wins (and players) away from a few more wins. I liked Pope's comments post game. They should benefit the dressing room. I hope to see the team progress as they can. Ultimately, they're the ones with the power to do so
