One of the Invicta Dynamos Directors has spoken out after Sunday’s performance which he described as “the worst I have seen in four years.”
The Dynamos were booed off by some of the home fans at the Silver Blades Ice Bowl in Gillingham on Sunday night following the sides 8-4 loss to Romford Raiders.
After the game, Directors Jackie Mason and Glenn Thompson took the unprecedented step of going into the dressing room to speak directly to the coach and players.
Speaking exclusively to KSN after the game, Head Coach Kevin Parrish promised changes would need to be made after the humiliation; with Thompson telling us how he felt the side had performed:
“It was very disappointing and it was the way we lost and to have the fans reaction at the end of the game should tell you everything. We have the best fans in the league who support us constantly even when results have not gone our way this year, but on Sunday night, to be honest, we were awful and looked like we had no heart or desire to win the game which is just not good enough.”
“It was the same the week before at Chelmsford and also a few other games this season. I have got to be honest that a few harsh comments left my mouth on Sunday as I was so annoyed with the performance, especially as this is not what we are used to. I think the fans deserve some answers hence why I have decided to answer your questions openly and honestly.”
“The performance was the worst I have seen in 4 years watching the Dynamos and it just isn’t good enough and this is not what we expect as a club. Rightly or wrongly Jackie and myself decided something needed to be said to the coach and the players.”
“ You don’t mind if you lose and your players (team) has given 100%, but for a team to come out and perform without passion, heart, or desire is not acceptable and probably us going into the dressing room was frustration from seeing the team losing 7-1 to Chelmsford and then 8-4 at home to Romford.”
“We are a team from the management down to the players, we go onto the ice as a team and back into the dressing room as a team, not half a team and certainly not individuals.”
“Also, when we are on the ice, if a team mate gets pushed around, we man up and defend our team mates not just stand there.”
“I will not say what I said in the dressing room, but all I will say no more performances like that will be tolerated and that changes will be made.”
When asked as to whether all of the roster was pulling its’ weight, Thompson was clear in his views:
“What do you reckon? There are players out there giving 120% each week and I can’t fault them, but there are 5 or 6 players at the moment who don’t deserve to be wearing the Dynamo’s shirt.
“Personally, it should be an honour to have been picked to play for the Dynamos and we expect you to play for the badge and not for your name on the back and to be honest we don’t care about your name on the back, when you come out of that changing room you should be proud to be wearing that shirt and do it justice.”
“I think changes will be made to the roster and need to be made, if we are going to finish in the top three this year and sooner rather than later would be best.”
“This is where Kevin Parrish is good as he does care and is very passionate about the club and he will bring more titles to the club.”
Whenever a side is struggling to string results together, the question is always raised as to whether the man that picks the team is good enough and that’s not exception at the Dynamos.
Head Coach Kevin Parrish has come under some criticism from some supporters and the management is well aware everyone needs to improve to keep their jobs.
“Of course anyone’s job would be under threat if we do not get results, but what I will say which I have said from August is that I believe KP is the best coach in the league and I think his record in recent years tells the story.”
“Yes the league is a lot harder which I think is good from a spectator point, but I believe with the team playing as a team we can match anyone on the day and in certain games we have shown this.
“The problem we have, is we are not consistent and if you are not consistent, you will not get the results.
We now need to get a winning streak going from the 22nd December and I believe this is possible if we change a few things.”
Thompson went on to explain why he felt it was important the side pulled together at a time like this and a good run of form could be just weeks away.
“The players need to listen to the coach and not do their own thing on the ice, they look good in training, but when it comes to match day it looks a bit different.”
“The atmosphere is great in the dressing room and is something we didn’t have last year, so that is a positive.”
“The players need to go out as a team and play as a team now and give 100% on every shift, go out with heart, desire, passion and back your team mates up on the ice and don’t just stand there looking, and to be honest we need to be more physical like some teams are against us.
When Thompson joined the club last season, he always insisted that it would take three years to start to shape the club to a more professional unit and he explained to KSN how he felt this recent run of poor results could be just a hiccup.
“This is the second year and yes I believe it is a hiccup, but with the right changes the plan this year is still to come away with silverware and finish in the top three in the league.”
Ice hockey fans can see if the Dynamos can get back to winning ways when they entertain the Streatham Redskins on Sunday 23rd December with face off at 5:15pm.
Pictures supplied by David Trevallion.