Veteran puzzled by Vipers slump

Dec 8 2007 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

HAVING made his Durham Wasps debut three decades ago and won 34 Great Britain caps since, Shaun Johnson should be experienced enough to recognise where the Vipers have been going wrong, but even he is puzzled by their recent slump.

Not even the 6-3 victory over Basingstoke Bison, ending a six-match losing streak, spared them coach Rob Wilson’s wrath this week, but Johnson is confident they can still be title challengers. Today the opportunity to make amends comes at Sheffield Steelers, with a second Elite League game at home to Nottingham Panthers tomorrow.

“To say Willy (Wilson) has been working us hard this week would be an understatement – he hasn’t been too happy,” admitted the centre.

“I have no idea why results have suddenly turned against us. Every year just about every team goes through a bad spell. All it takes is for a couple of other teams to have one and we’ll be right back in it.”

Johnson considered retiring last summer but was talked out of it by Wilson, co-director Paul Ferone and managing director Jaimie Longmuir.

“I’ve got my own furniture business and I was finding it hard to get all the games and training in,” he explained.

“Rob, Jaimie and Fern (Ferone) said if I packed it in then there’s nothing there, but if I stayed on another year they would give me a testimonial.”

Johnson’s All-Stars take on the Vipers at Newcastle Arena on Thursday, February 28 (face-off 7.30pm), and he believes it is important he goes at the end of this season.

“It gives the chance for someone else,” he argued. “It must be tough for the youngsters because they really need older players to move on to get their chance. But if it’s possible I would like to put something back.”

Sheffield and Newcastle’s English National League (North) sides provide the curtain-raiser to today’s game. Tomorrow the ENL Vipers host Kingston Jets, Whitley Warriors entertain Grimsby Buffaloes and Dundee Stars visit Billingham Bombers in the Northern League. The Warriors are at Solway Sharks, also in the Northern League, tonight.

STUART RAYNER