Phillips made the drastic move after last Saturday's 4-0 home defeat by Manchester Phoenix - the team's second defeat in succession.

He walked into the dressing room and suggested players with agents should be contacting them with a view to considering alternative employment.

Is Bob Phillips right to threaten the Steelers squad with the sack? Post your comments below.

Today, Phillips claimed his threat had, in fact, solicited a "100 per cent" positive response from the team, who went on to play better at Coventry Blaze on Sunday.

However it may be significant that team captain Jona-than Phillips wants to make it publicly clear the improved Sunday form had "nothing to do with" the notice warning.

Today the owner said: "I took this action because I thought the team was not giving fans value for money.

"Seemingly, there was a lack of effort against Manchester. I put everybody on notice so it allows (coach) Dave Matsos the freedom to re-negotiate contracts with players - if they are not playing at 100 per cent they shouldn't be paid 100 per cent - or to make changes to the roster.

"If we needed to bring something in, it would be passion. The passion is missing.

"Too many players are putting in individual performances. It is a team game, and business is about a team of people. We do not want individuals doing it on their own."

Asked why it was necessary to put everybody on notice at the club, Phillips told The Star: "Saturday night was a massive eye-opener for me.

"Nobody is safe if the team does not perform on the ice.

"We cannot afford to employ guys off the ice if the team under-performs on it.

"I have asked the supporters for three years to get things right and they and our sponsors have been magnificent; they deserve more.

"My neck is now on the chopping block - and if mine is, everybody else's is."

Phillips said he still felt the club was lucky to have recruited Matsos as coach, but added he was still a rookie team leader who was "learning and developing".

As such, he expects general manager Mike O'Connor to help him "make the right decisions".

Phillips said: "If Dave does not make the right decisions - and those decisions concern changing attitudes or changing players - then I will have made the wrong decision myself in hiring him. He has been 100 per cent loyal to his players but in my view two, three or four of them should be looking over their shoulders now."

Phillips said he told Matsos in November that he thought he should make roster changes.

Now, he's reached the stage where players and general staff should "ship in or ship out".

The owner said he thought the atmosphere within the club was fine - although he accepted "you could hear a pin drop" on the team bus going to Coventry on Sunday.

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