.jpg) |
Darren was pleased with the performance in the third period when the team settled into the game, but he admitted that improvement is needed to compete in the division.
He said: “There were a lot of players nervous before we went out there and you could tell in the first period.
“They sort of relaxed for the second, but I think they relaxed a bit too much and after a bit of a team talk at the end of the second we actually went out and concentrated on what we needed to do – play hockey.
“We kept the goals out in the third, so we just need to up our tempo a bit and I think we’ll be alright.
“They know now how fast the play is in this division now. They’ve seen the benchmark and tempo that they need to be playing at.
“Last season we dominated almost every game we played and now we’ve got teams coming down here that are dominating our game, so hopefully we can work up to the benchmark that’s been set.”
Darren was disappointed with the amount of penalty minutes his side racked up during the match and stressed the importance of keeping disciplined. |
He was adamant that this will be his main focus looking ahead to next weekend’s clash at Blackburn and if the players can reduce the time they spend in the penalty box , then he is optimistic of getting a positive result.
“Penalties let us down tonight. We conceded four power play goals in the second period, and we can’t play against good teams like that shorthanded.
“They’re all good teams this season that will capitalize on mistakes. Trafford are a good side five on five let alone five on four.
“We would love to come out of the game next week with a respectable result.
“I reckon its going to take us six games to even feel our feet at this level and then hopefully when everyone’s bedded in a bit and realize that this is the pace we will be playing at all season, we can do well.
“I haven’t got a problem with us losing games at this stage, but I have got a problem if we go up there and lose our discipline and start gifting them power plays and goals which will obviously cost us.”
|
Darren Bellerby admitted that his side struggled to overcome their pre-match nerves after the defeat to Trafford Metros, but insisted that they will now be better prepared for upcoming matches.
Solihull lost 7-2 to the Manchester side on Sunday evening, with the Barons finding it difficult to get to grips with the tempo of the game on their Division One debut. |
