Not an Appreciation thread.

I think maybe the worry for me is we could yet be, but without the time in the Prem or FA cup wins.

Anyway, we've won 4 out of 5, we have to appreciate the here and now

 

But surely the philosophy doesn’t allow for that. By being prudent and sustainable. Allaying your fears. I think there are a lot more fans of clubs outside the premiership more worried about having a club survive this pandemic for example than ourselves. We are in a far better position than most. The take up of season tickets encouraging to the board.
The amount of folk getting used to not watching live football. And not returning to the game will be numerous. So crowds when allowed back fully. I believe will be dramatically reduced.
Barnsley lost loads of fans after the miners strike. Having got used to not attending.

 

No, I'm all for the sustainable route. But IF they do use the club to finance another venture for eg. we could still end up in a dark place and without the fun of achieving Premiership status or FA cup
I'm not saying they will, but as you say they've no allegiance to the club or town.

 

With respect Helen. Gior worrying about IF. You’ll be in purgatory if that’s how you think. As a union rep. I can never deal with Ifs. only what’s put in front of me.

 

Nothing has changed with the owners in my view just because we've strung some results together. And it does concern me that just because of a few results, some are willing to gloss over the very serious fundamental issues of their ownership.

The past is written and they can't undo those actions. They can only apologise for them, which they haven't done. They still don't seem to have paid for the club, nor have they withdrawn their threat of leaving Oakwell.

In regards to the playing side, its James Cryne that developed the data led approach under his Dads tutelage and then extended it to coaches more recently. To date, you have to say bravo James. In terms of recruitment, last summer has to go down as a monumental **** up, culminating in the most successful transfer window ever statement to be followed up with the disgusting sacking of Stendel.

We absolutely lucked out last season. If it weren't for covid we were down. What it also allowed was a neutral environment to learn without pressure from the stands, and with the signings of Sollbauer and this season James, the much needed experience has been addressed. We've also had a year of playing the previously hugely inexperienced young lads. That has done them a huge good, though it was so damaging to bring so many in all at once and the lack of duty of care was highly worrying.

Some of that disastrous summer has been undone, thankfully but we still have some very long contracts for a couple who we're likely to be stuck with. We still have Woodrow (I suspect again thanks to covid and the fall out of football finances) and Mowatt, but come January the landscape could look much different, but again that may come down to finances and if clubs get revenue flowing back into them swiftly.

Its very positive to see a coach wanting to win games, though there will be time needed to bed his ideas in fully and I hope come January he doesn't see his team ripped to bits.

 

I think the new Head coaches style is very similar to Stendel's and he's benefiting from having some experienced players that we didn't have under Stendel. I was very critical of Stendel tactically but I'm coming round to thinking he could have done a good job had he been backed.

 

Its not keeping me awake night! I was just answering the OP.

 

The next big name sale will tell me if they are on the right track.

Ie Styles for instance.

If we still only get a couple of million and interest in his future, then I'm afraid we will not progress.

If however, we finally get a huge pay day, one that even as fans we can all say, you know what, we agree, you cant turn that down. Then it will go a long way to restoring faith and belief.

 

I agree with your summary. I've been preaching patience for a long time on here and now mebbe we're seeing the fruits of that.
It takes time for an organisations to change and re-adjust objectives and football clubs are no different.
We're on the right path for all the reasons you mention. On the footballing side, despite what was confidently predicted on here, CW and AM stayed and we strengthened in the last window. The squad seems stronger and the managerial appointments have been sound enough to suit the circumstances (Morais aside) and help us move forward.
These are all building blocks.If we can achieve a mid table finish this season that would represent further progress.
I hope to goodness that the backroom squabbles get sorted out as that will further enhance progress.
Of course it's all about opinions and many on here will dispute the above, but in my view the much maligned "80%ers" have taken us forward on the field and we appear to be financially stable as a, hopefully, soon to be established Championship club.
COYR!