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It's all over with, what next?

It's all over with, what next? by James Broughton

Hi everyone, well congratulations to our four semi finalists from Belfast, Cardiff, Coventry and Nottingham. Also a big well done to the Elite League as our playoff final will be live on Sky Sports this year. 
 
Ok everyone knows things have not being right in Sheffield all year. We started off badly then at times we looked better winning 6 games in a row towards the end. Now we have being lucky over the years we have had some of the best players and teams in the land and have therefore being more successful than anyone else. That has built an expectation level in the city and that expectation is that we have a team that challenges for all the trophies. Lastly we are part of the biggest rivalry in the country, Steelers and Panthers. That being said it is expected that we at the very least match their season. They don't have to win them but they have to be challenging. The Steelers are one of the bigger clubs we have one of the bigger budgets and there is no reason why we can not achieve the expectation level if not exceed it. OK we won the 20-20 that was nice and we won a bronze medal in the Continental cup but frankly other than that this season was a right off. A Steelers team has to at the very least make the semi finals of the Challenge Cup, ok we did that. We have to finish in the top three. We didn't do that we didn't even finish in the top half, we were an embarrassing 16 points worse than Nottingham. Finally we have to have to have to make the ‘Final 4’ weekend. We have more playoff championships than anyone is this league over the last 20 years. There will be plenty of Steelers fans at finals weekend but the team won’t be. Its funny there have being a few games this year that have felt like that. We lost to the Devils and it was exactly what we deserved once again the Steelers were simply not good enough.
 
With that being said we have to look to next year. Who should we keep, who should be cut and who could be in a Steelers Jersey next year. Also keep in mind that there will be 11 imports next year 
We already know four players on next years team. Bolibruck, Phillips and Sarich have being signed up and Steve Munn will be returning. So here is my look at the rest of the team.


Andrew Verner: No, has being too inconsistent and a let down a shame Reiter got hurt.
Dan Green: Yes, played very well when he had to play.
Jonathon Zion: A very good player but I think he will move on and with the other d we have I’m not sure he fits. He aint no Sarich
Ben Morgan: Hmm a good young player struggled a times would have him on a 2way with Scimitars. 
Scott Basiuk: Has had a tough year with a horrible injury but has not being the same since I think I would let him go but bring in a similar guy.
Randy Dagenais: He is likely to retire so that is that. Has had a poor year anyway.
Mark Thomas: Another one that has being poor not sure i would have him back.
Mike Sgroi: He has added to the team but not quite enough. We need a power forward but not Mike Sgroi.
Jeff Legue: Love this guy has being maybe our player of the year. Legue against the world at times this year. He'd be on my team but i think he will leave.
Jason Hewitt: I never really liked Hewey but this year he has changed my mind he has stepped up when others haven't I want him here.
Matt Hubbauer: A talented player but fails to show it consistently. He doesn't say winner to me so he goes.
Doug Sheppard: I like Shepp he works hard but he has not being the player he was. For me its a no.
Joey Talbot: Joey again not as good as before but still scored 40 goals and is a proven winner. He stays.
Rob Dowd: He had a horrible start but got better as the year went on. Still a talent and should still be a Steeler.
Rob Farmer: A very talented youngster. Needs to bulk up a bit but should be resigned.
Ok so we need a new goalie, last year there was talk of Christian Bronsard coming back I wouldn't mind that this year. A fourth import d man. Well Wes Jarvis or a player of that type. Big strong and can score. We need a big power forward who can score points. Jeff Swzez springs to mind. Lastly we really need a spark plug. A player of the brand of Finnerty and Richardson that's a player we need to find. A friend tells me Josh Prudden could be the guy.


Well I will be in Nottingham this weekend if you see me say hi will be cheering for Belfast in the first game and Coventry second.

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