Russ used negative tactics for about the last 12 games of the L2 promotion season when we were clearly the best team in the division.
Got us promoted but certainly cost us a comfortable championship and frayed the nerves of supporters.
I think Cox has been negative tactically because he knows he has one of the poorest teams in the League. Russ would have done the same but probably got us to finish 2 or 3 places higher had he been in charge this season.