In the Locker Room with Lee Richardson

Last Wednesday saw the Cats fortune change when they took home the two points from a gripping overtime win over the MK Lightning (Final Score 5-4). Up until then the team were on the back of seven consecutive losses. Last weekend after a harrowing 5-2 defeat by the Sheffield Steeldogs we caught up with #16 Lee Richardson to talk about the Wildcats form so far this season, how the team has changed over the years and which teams to watch, in his opinion.

S.W.S.C: Lee, tell me a about the game tonight? What happened.

Richardson: It was very, very disappointing tonight. I don't know why, but at home we seem to be really coming out flat and playing, disappointing. And tonight was just another disaster really.

S.W.S.C: So, what's the atmosphere like in the changing rooms then?

Richardson: Everyone's down and more disappointed. We let each other down. We let the fans down and the coaching staff down, the owners down. There's a lot of pride in there and we've lost all that tonight.

S.W.S.C: So what are you (the team) going to do to turn it around?

Richardson: The only good thing that can come out of it is we have another home game tomorrow and it's against a team like Basingstoke where we tend to raise our game. That's no disrespect to teams we've been beaten by but sometimes we do raise our game for the bigger games and obviously tomorrow with Basingstoke we know that it's a must win. 

(Swindon lost the game on the 26th to Basingstoke, final score 2-4)

S.W.S.C: We have seen this in a number of games this season where you have beaten the teams who based on previous experience, perhaps we wouldn't have expected to. 

Richardson: It's the style too. You know Basingstoke are going to come after us, they're not going to come here and defend and play on our mistakes. (Basingstoke lost 6-4 in Milton Keynes on Saturday) They are going to be coming out hard if they are losing. Sometimes that does play into our hands when we do hit teams on the break. That's not an excuse for tonight. We need to get back to winning. No one really showed up well enough tonight. That's dissapointing for us.

S.W.S.C: Back to you Lee. This is your 8th season with the team. How does the team this year differ to the teams you have played with over the years?

Richardson: I think going over time the professional gets bigger. I remember the first couple of years the coaches having to get the guys to go to the gym and now it doesn't need to be mentioned. Everyone is in the gym. Everyone wants to be in shape. Everyone wants to be better. And for this season it's the same, everyone wants to go. Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn't pan out well (Laughs). We do have a nice group of guys and that's disappointing for us that we do have good guys and we let each other down.

S.W.S.C: It is also testament to how the whole league is moving. All the teams have stepped it up. Everyone's improving.

Richardson: Exactly, there is no easy night. I think we have to find that in ourselves, that every game has to be like a cup game. We can't come out flat tonight and just maybe sneak it by having better players. That's something we have to really work on. It's not acceptable that we don't play well.

S.W.S.C: There are still plenty of games to play.

Richardson: Tomorrow should be a big game. I mean, obviously in the cup we are still in with a shout of making the semi finals. So tomorrow is huge on every front for us. It's a massive game and going into Wednesday, four cup games in a row. Okay it's not going to put tonight right but it's going to be a massive help in turning our season around.

S.W.S.C: I know we haven't played an awful lot of games but is there any team that look to be shaping up as our nemesis this year?

Richardson: In terms of talent, Telford are obviously just flying. They're crushing teams. Em, I think we are struggling against teams the likes of Peterborough. A good team and a good goalie, the same as Sheffield tonight. We had chances still but the goalie came up big. You know I don't think Peterborough are going to win it but the way they've organised themselves and played, they've really impressed me so far this season.

S.W.S.C: One's to watch them this season?

Richardson: Yeah, it's a dark horse. For one-off games; I think they're going to be quite a decent team.

***

The Cats are next in action this Saturday (1st Nov, 6pm) away at the Isle of Wight, returning HOME on Sunday (2nd Nov, 6pm) for HOCKEY HALLOWEEN when we host the Invicta Dynamos.

Supporters Player of the Month September - Stevie Whitfield

D-Man Stevie Whitfield is Swindon born and bred and has been a part of Swindon Hockey his entire career. Looking at the way his career has steadily progressed, it seems the only way is up for Stevie. Year on year his EPL stats get better and better. Alongside this, he has also become a firm fan favourite. This was proven when you voted him as your Supporters Player of the Month for September.

So why has Stevie stood out in the first month of this new season? We asked him what he thought:

Stevie: I've always felt I worked hard and maybe it's a bit more this year; things are starting to happen now for me. Moving the puck better and being able to make more plays rather than get rid of the puck and just defend.

S.W.S.C: It is not only the fans who have gotten behind you this season. What was your reaction to your team-mates voting you as one of their alternate captains?

Stevie: Really good, especially when the fans recognise what you are doing. And then, if the person next to you thinks you are doing a good job then you just keep on going'

S.W.S.C: You came out from the first game, full throttle. How do you keep fit during the off-season and prepare for the season?

Stevie: I train quite hard in the summer in the gym. This summer I was also on the ice once a week. I trained at another gym which seems to have kicked in a bit. I am feeling better in my body, a bit more comfortable on the puck because of the ice time.

S.W.S.C: When we spoke to you last season you told us your goal was to become a better offensive player. What is your goal for this coming season?

Stevie: I've not really set any goals this year to be honest. I just want to contribute to the team and for the team to do well. You know, if I'm playing well and defending and helping out a bit with the puck movement out front we should be able to get some results. That's the key really.

S.W.S.C: So far the team have had very mixed fortunes.

Stevie: Three games we have won this season we probably weren't expecting to win so if we can go in with that attitude every game, we should be doing well. The league is much better than it was so you know you can't come in at home thinking, ah we're not playing a top four team. I don't think that has sorted itself out yet. You have to do your job every night.

S.W.S.C: Any final words/thoughts for the fans?

Stevie: Thank you very much and keep making the noise!