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Post by Claret & Blue Army on Aug 10, 2008 14:38:05 GMT 1
Following a random question yesterday provoking two very different vehement responses I ask the question here. Will Blaze miss Neal Martin or will we go on to greater things anyway?
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Post by jakemurrall7 on Aug 10, 2008 21:49:49 GMT 1
miss him massively in my opinion, yeah we still might do well but he is neal martin and has been the leagues best d-man since the grandslam year, it's not just the role as a player, he was also a coach wasn't he, so in losing a 'father' figure in clouts, losing martin also is a blow in that side of the team, still i'm looking forward to seeing the new d and the new team as it is a very new team  |
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Post by bexblaze07 on Aug 10, 2008 22:00:03 GMT 1
I will miss Martin but I don't think the team as a whole will. We have a number of new guys and a much more all round defence this year. I think we'll do the same job, just differently.
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Post by Rich on Aug 11, 2008 1:01:25 GMT 1
The way I see it, like it or not Martin has gone and we now have Leclair. Fans have two options, turn up to the Sheffield game on 3rd September, with the attitude that Leclair isn't as good as Neal Martin, and look to pick faults with his game that Neal Martin doesn't have, or we could go in with the attitude, new season, new team, not compare them with what we had, let them set their own standards, get behind them and see where they are come March. I like the second option best.
Apologies for my over sensitive post, I'v had a couple of cold ones.
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Post by PW on Aug 11, 2008 20:56:44 GMT 1
Yes, because he was arguably the best d-man (certainly among the best imports) ever to play in British hockey.
And LeClair won't be.
Next question.
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Post by bexblaze07 on Aug 12, 2008 20:29:43 GMT 1
Yes, because he was arguably the best d-man (certainly among the best imports) ever to play in British hockey. And LeClair won't be. Next question. But Thommo did say that none of the new players were directly replacing any others that have left. So although Martin is a better player than LeClair doesn't mean that overall the defence will be worse. |
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Post by Bemmemm on Aug 13, 2008 2:29:15 GMT 1
I think what needs to be address is what have Coventry lossed vs what they have gained.
Last season you had Neal, Jonathan, Matts and Peasey for most of the season.(I won't include Rums or KC because Rums did not have a full season and KC was played sparringly on defence). Neal and Jonathan carried the weight of 2 defenceman. Jonathan and Matts was a good pairing. Matts allowed Jonathan to move forward. Neal was paired with what was left. He was left to carry on his own. So, in actuality, you really only had 3 d-man. As much as I like Peasey he was not an Elite League d-man. Neal carried him for 4 years and now that Neal has gone so has Peasey. If Neal had a good defence partner he would not have had to play 40 minutes a game and would have been able to rely on his partner more instead of covering for him. Coventry was blessed with a top defenceman and have reaped the benefits. Good on them!!
Now that Neal has gone the team have reshuffled the defence and now have 5 actual defenceman and 1 coverted forwarded. The team will not rely solely on the work of 3 defenceman but 6. I would say that is an improvement numbers wise at least. It will take them a little bit to get to know each other but, I think they will fall into place and will give Coventry a more balanced blueline.
I think where the team might hurt is in what Neal, Sylvain and Trevor brought to the team in terms of leadership, responsibility and experience. Neal could read an opposing team like no other. He knew their weaknesses and strengths and used that to his advantage. All three brought the team togetherness and made playing hockey fun, exciting and pure joy. The dressing room was loads of fun surrounded by unlimited feelings of confidence. The team looked forward to seeing these guys before games and practices because they had that winning feeling about them. It was an atmosphere that was second to none. I know the dressing room will be different with these guys gone but, that's not to say someone else will step up and fill those voids. It will all depend on who that person will be and and will everyone get on board.
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Post by jakemurrall7 on Aug 13, 2008 10:24:54 GMT 1
Yes, because he was arguably the best d-man (certainly among the best imports) ever to play in British hockey. And LeClair won't be. Next question. But Thommo did say that none of the new players were directly replacing any others that have left. So although Martin is a better player than LeClair doesn't mean that overall the defence will be worse. JF will be replacing Trev directly  i see what your saying but like for like, leclair is there to fill the gap neal left, i heard thommo wanted someone that could skate as well as martin and put as many minutes as on ice as neal did, that for me is corey replacing neal....but i do see what your saying. |
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Post by Dave on Aug 14, 2008 17:52:06 GMT 1
Yes, because he was arguably the best d-man (certainly among the best imports) ever to play in British hockey. And LeClair won't be. Next question. I wish I knew more about the Superleague, would be interesting to know how Martin ranks with the best D-men to play in the Superleague. Does anyone know if he made the Superleague all star side when he was with London Knights? Anyway, Martin will be hugely missed. The thing is though we have lost a great individual player, but the Blaze always seem to be tactically awesome and the fittest team in the league, therefore I'm pretty sure we'll be okay. Also IMO LeClair will be great for us next year. |
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on Aug 14, 2008 18:44:39 GMT 1
I too think Choccy LeClair will be an astounding success that come November it will be Neal who?  |
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Post by oneillthegiant on Aug 19, 2008 23:18:10 GMT 1
I think blaze will miss Martin he has been the D man in the Elite ,so i think he will defintely be missed.
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