Sheffield Steelers splash the cash but cannot buy much-needed consistency

Is Sheffield Steelers' expensively-constructed team destined for a season of underachievement?
Sheffield Steelers looking for goals in GlasgowSheffield Steelers looking for goals in Glasgow
Sheffield Steelers looking for goals in Glasgow

Owner Tony Smith splashed out his biggest-ever budget on the team in the Summer and wasn't slow to make additions when injuries hit the defence and the coach sought to replace ex NHL forward Martin St. Pierre.

But you cannot buy consistency.

And team boss Aaron Fox was ruing some familiar weaknesses in his team, after Sunday's 8-5 defeat at pace-setting Glasgow Clan on Sunday night.

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After 26 League and Cup games, Steelers have recorded a relatively healthy 15 wins and nine defeats.

But if the team is to measure itself against title contenders they need to improve, they have lost twice to both Clan and Cardiff Devils, home and away.

Road form is a concern; they have now lost the last four trips away from the House of Steel.

They need to try and mirror home form, currently standing at six wins out of seven.

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Despite Smith's financial outlay, there are clearly problems in retaining a momentum in positive results...and there maybe other challenges around the corner.

If goalie Tomas Duba gets injured or goes off the boil, the club will have to speed up their netminder recruitment plans, having axed out-of-favour Pavel Kantor.

But it is the players that are currently on the pay roll we should look to - not those who are not.

And the main issue to rectify is inconsistency - Sheffield played extremely well in Saturday's 4-1 win over Coventry Blaze, but could not sustain that level of commitment against the Clan.

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Fox did not seek to make excuses after his team shipped in the highest number of goals-conceded in any match this season.

While the Scots "were diving into pucks and playing for each other" in coach Zack Fitzgerald's words, some Sheffield players were not following suit.

"At the end of the day it comes down to one-on-one battles and we lost a lot of them," said Fox.

"If you lose a lot of battles and you are not willing to defend as a five-man group...we left the slot open a couple of times, we had some forwards cheating.." he added.

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Several of Glasgow's quick-fire goals were down to players being out-battled by their opponents, he said.

Fox admitted the defeat represented a "lost opportunity" - his side could have gone top of the league.

Steelers are now second, but jointly with Cardiff, who have played three fewer games.

On Saturday, they host Nottingham Panthers, who have just advanced to the final round of the IIHF Continental Cup.

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