Posted by andy B on January 01, 1998 at 20:14:17:
In Reply to: Re: 'The Invisible Man!' posted by Gethin on January 01, 1998 at 16:11:40:
Oh,dear,Gethin.Like to give it out when it's about someone you don't like (Brebant),but can't take it when it's about someone you do (Lawless).
As the other posting has said,this is a MANCHESTER forum.Lawless was the 'Most succesful coach in British hockey',eh?-tell that to Dampier,plus many more before him.He was a good coach who had more money than his opponents at a particular time,and got a good team together.
Lawless freely admits HE cocked up last year.Don't blame agents-they work on behalf of players,not teams.If you are a salesmen and you have crap to sell,you sell it.
On a phone in at the start of last year,I asked Lawless whether he had seen any of the guys he had brought in actually playing,or if it had been done on resumes.He admitted THEN that it was done on resumes and 'Word of Mouth'.He supposedly went after Ken Hodge before you signed him,but 'word of mouth' (i.e.-players who KNEW they'd lose ice time if he came!!) told JL he 'Wasn't much of a player'!!
JL was too close to some of the players.Ruggles in particular.HR has worked 10x harder this year,because he knows he has to if he wants to play.
I can't really see 'Getting stitched up by the management'.The pressure was on them-10,000 would not keep turning up to see another losing team-could they afford to take the risk for another season?
As a hockey fan,Lawless has my upmost respect for what he has achieved,but that doesn't mean he's beyond criticism.