SLAVA KOULIKOV is pleased with how Sheffield Steeldogs’ pre-season has gone but insists it could be up to a couple more months before he gets a full insight into his team’s overall potential.

Three wins from four pre-season games points to something clicking already, but Koulikov prefers to concentrate on the real business of competitive games as an indicator as to how his team is truly performing.

The 2025-26 NIHL National Cup champions open up their latest campaign with a trip to Solway tonight – a team they faced-off against twice in pre-season.

They then open up their home schedule tomorrow with a visit from regular season league champions, Swindon Wildcats.

With several new faces in place – most notably imports Shane Owen, Michael Pelech and, most recently Dante Salituro – patience will be required but the potential for the Steeldogs was there for all to see in the performances that brought back-to-back wins against Leeds Knights last weekend.

“The reality is that, after such a long break, everybody needs time - players are human,” said Koulikov.

“It's like a horse, a racing horse. If it doesn't race for so long, you can't just get it on a track and be a champion again. It's all about gradually getting into i.

“I felt the most important thing for me as a coach was to see how the guys were taking on the information and also the improvement game by game and week by week.

NEW CHALLENGE: Sheffield Steeldogs enjoyed a promising pre-season, including two wins over Yorkshire rivals, Leeds Knights. Picture: Charlotte/Knights Media.

placeholder image — NEW CHALLENGE: Sheffield Steeldogs enjoyed a promising pre-season, including two wins over Yorkshire rivals, Leeds Knights. Picture: Charlotte/Knights Media.

“And I think we have seen - starting from game one to game two and then games three to four - an overall improvement on our team.

“But also we have to keep our feet on the ground because the results don't matter. Things start this weekend and that's when we need to be at our best.

“We are relatively happy with pre-season but the work still continues and I think for me personally, I would say you need six-eight weeks to see the full progress. Then, obviously, if something's not working, then things need to be addressed.”

Tempting though it may be to look ahead to Sunday’s date with the Wildcats, Koulikov will only do so once tonight’s trip to Dumfries is done and dusted against a Solway team they are already familiar with having faced them twice in pre-season.

PATIENCE: Sheffield Steeldogs' head coach, Slava Koulikov. Picture: Steeldogs Media.

“Nobody's got any rights, it's a clean slate for everybody this weekend,” added Koulikov.

“We know how much Solway have improved and we know how they play at home and obviously with the goaltending they have this year they're going to be in a mix. I guess time will tell.

“So from my side, I might have some videos already, but I'm not thinking about Swindon whatsoever because if you concentrate on Swindon and don't get this one (Solway) over the line, you will drop points.”