Evening with BFC...

Anyone else at this? Will post anything interesting that comes up here


- GG said stuff about the the Nice job but didn' really commit either way but it sounded like if he's gets offered or has been offered it, he will be gone. (couldn't really blame him - nice place to bring up a family)
- GG/Owners want to do a fanzone. Plans being made (planning permission has been applied for something to enhance the match day experience)
- Special plans for rearranged Burton game with regards raising money for air ambulance (Steve Croft here tonight and all profits gong to air ambulance)
- What impact have the new owners had?
-Stability most important
-Keep squad together
-Tie players to longer deals
- Can't make their vision happen in 12 months so we will see their influence in coming years
- Are there any plans to develop West stand? Ideas being kicked around. Would make sense in champ assuming they can bring more people into the stadium.
- GG wasn't entirely surprised about Winkler given how close he was with the new Hudds manager. Good news is we have compensation so can use it if necessary to get his replacement. Daniel is going to have a think about it but says short term we can make it work.
-GG asked how hard it is no to rise at stuff posted on social media (e.g. incorrect transfer rumours causing internet melt downs, CEO's of other football clubs ).Not too hard. Doesn't read a lot of it. Said he knows what's happening but can't share stuff until after the window is closed . No problem to do that then and say that was ********, that was ********. 2m for Moore is ********.
- Explains the recruitment process (again). Will post a separate post on this and then save it somewhere so people can understand exactly how it works
- Replacing a player example was mentioned e.g. Moncur. GG pointed out that they didn't think they needed to replace Moncur as they tried to sign a new deal with him. Wasn't possible. Daniel didn't think he really fitted the way he plays. What do we do? Keep him on the wage build for another 6 months? According to the coaching staff we have too many players in the squad. If we play 11 vs 11 for instance and 3 players have to sit out that isn't good for their, or anyone's morale
-Is self sustainability possible AND make progress as a club? GG: self sustainability is progression. Worst thing for the football club is not being stable. That's when we have to accept a 2m bid for Keifer Moore. How do you think a billionaire becomes a billionaire. By having a business that is sustainable.
- was asked if he regretted not getting any deals over the line. His answer was chaplin as he thought he would have made a big difference to the team. Didn’t regret Manzala. Deal was done and then tried to get more money.
- GG didn't have any issues in understanding Barnsley folk (Carlo explained he struggled to understand the accent when he first arrived from Netherlands)

Bobby & Martin Devaney

- Patrick offered Connor 14K to stay at Barnsley
- Devaney mentioned that given we have U23s players training with first team we have U18s now having to play up as we don't have the numbers otherwise but that's good experience for them.
- Bobby's explained his job is multi faceted, little coaching, being in board meetings, going out watching players, Came up with a new philosophy in the summer...
- Didn't think we had enough coaches who'd played the game in the past in the academy
- Bobby talked about how players change with generations. When you first go into coaching you expect them to be like when he was young but it's not the same. Have to deal with kids who don't want to look at you, on their phones etc.
- Man management skills, Disco treats the lads like his own kids, play for the badge first, then the team, then themselves.
- YTS lads still do jobs etc. Old school that way (not all clubs do that anymore). Devaney believes they have the best of both worlds. Players have to stay grounded and focused. talked about players he has that have great ability but can't be trusted yet so is working on them. Gave examples of great attitude, focus, winning mentality in Brown, Bird, Williams. Players that can be trusted.
- Carlo asked what Dale Tonge can bring. Recruited a year ago so has a lot to learn. First team different to Academy football. Dale Tonge was Stendel's choice to work with him as he wanted a younger coach and wanted someone to come in to do a different job for him.
- Bobby put forward a philosophy of promoting from within right to head coach. Look at where we've had success - Davey, Ritchie, Heckinbottom all promoted from within. Owners want to do this.
-Bobby job to develop them, get them on the courses. Get your money on Devaney now for next head coach
- Martin's been at the club 14 years with 3 years break. Loves it in Barnsley.
- Talked about the Chelsea cup game. Bobby mentioned it was the only game with Andy Ritchie they worked on shape. For the Liverpool game he just told them to go out and enjoy it
- Bobby mentioned he was in 3 sides that got promoted and those managers didn't do anything. Just played 5 aside every day and didn't work on shape.
- Key to management is relationship with players. Make players think they are the best when they go out there. Andy Ritchie was brilliant at that. "messed about a bit too much" Team picked itself was lucky in that respect.
- How difficult was it last January when we lost CEO/Manager/Players? How bad is it for you as fans? Bobby - you get used to it. We've talked about our business model and sustainability. We sold too many players and they weren't replaced but they have learned from it. Club lost 20 odd million that Jan and it cost us relegation. Difficult to bring lower league players and bring them to champ. league one to champ is the big gap now. Used to be champ to premier league but that gulf has narrowed.
-Bobby talks about how its different money wise from when he played and he probably wouldn't be here 10 years if the money was like it is now. He was offered 500quid/1K more to go to Sheff Wed and Leeds. If it had been 15k he'd have gone. (but not to Sheff Wed to much laughter)

The night raised money for the air ambulance. Steve Croft and his family were in attendance (was good to have a chat with him). Carlo also mentioned Laurie Handley, who does the mascots amongst other stuff has worked at the club 50 years this year. (Got a round of applause)

 

Patrick offered Conor 14k/week to stay with us