SHEFFIELD STEELDOGS may be doing it tough at the moment, but they have the right man behind the bench to get them heading in the right direction, says netminder Alex Oldale.

Consistency in terms of both performances and - with it - results - are proving elusive for the South Yorkshire team this season, as they languish in eighth spot in the NIHL National league standings.

They also have some catching up to do when it comes to reaching the semi-finals of the NIHL National Cup - the trophy they memorably won last season. With just three games to play, they sit sixth in the Cup standings, a point adrift the all-important top four qualifying places.

Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to leaders Milton Keynes Lightning means the Steeldogs head into Sunday’s visit from Telford Tigers with just one win in their last four games.

Having faced three games in four days last time out, Slava Koulikov’s team have just a one-game weekend this time around.

Their best run of form came with a three-game winning streak in early October but, other than that, they have not put two wins together this season.

But while there may be frustration at results generally this season, Oldale says head coach Koulikov is not one for dwelling too much on what has gone before, only what is ahead.

“We have a good group of guys in that dressing room that pick their heads up, pick their feet up, and get straight back to work,” said Oldale.

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

placeholder image — LOOKING FORWARD: Sheffield Steeldogs' head coach, Slava Koulikov. Picture: Steeldogs Media.

“I think for us, it's about not dwelling on stuff that's maybe going a little bit wrong, more about taking the things that are definitely going right and building from there.

“And Slava is all about what's coming next, not what's happened in the past. His team talks after a loss, take the weekend against Romford for example, is more moving on to what's coming next, not dwelling on what's just happened.

“I think his attitude towards getting better and progressing is definitely the right one.”

Leeds Knights will look to extend their six-game winning streak when they face bottom team Bristol Pitbulls across two nights, the first meeting on the road tonight.