Not convinced by Strömberg

Leksand are continuing to struggle well. Another loss following a full time draw, this time against lowly Troja Ljungby, sees them drop to fourth in the table.

New coach Leif Strömberg was supposedly the 'signing of the season' for Leksand as far as some journalists were concerned. I was unsure, and I still am. Strömberg has a proven track record with guiding Södertälje through the qualification league to the top division, Kvalserien, something that Leksand, despite total domination, has failed to do the last few seasons. Strömberg was brought in to ensure Leksand can do it when it counts. They should have the players capable of taking the team up and now with a coach knowing what is demanded for the last step, surely this should be a walk in the park? No, not really - it is ice-hockey after all. In fact, even though the team finds themselves in the fourth position they have only really played to their potential twice this season, at home against Växjö Lakers and against Malmö Redhawks (both are now above them in the table). The rest of the games played have always left something to wish for. For a team with promotion ambitions, the away form is less than impressive (only two wins of seven possible). Following the loss against Toja, Strömberg was quoted saying 'Our problem is not scoring, it would be different if we didn't play well.'. The man needs to have his eyes checked! Troja recorded 41 shots on goal, Leksand 27. There are similar figures in most games. Goaltender Joacim Eriksson is usually the reason Leksand avoids losing in full time.

Is that where the door is?

If Strömberg is so deluded he cannot see the problems in Leksand is not the inability to score, but the inability to defend and build play he is certainly not the man for the job. I am not completely discarding him, but I believe the style of hockey he represents are the opposite to what Leksand as a club has been representing and what the fans come to watch. Maybe it's a sign of the supposed loser mentality that has come to set in the brickwork at Ejendals Arena, but I'd rather watch them lose a game and see the team play flowing, attacking hockey than to win by trying bore the opposition to death. Strömberg represents the latter of the two, whereas LIF has always been advocating the former. If we are now combining the worst of the two worlds I think the weathered crowd will consider staying in rather than pay to watch a negative team lose. This would be a massive blow for the club that might have disastrous implications.