Paul Heckingbottom is a top lad. Supporter, one time season ticket holder and Barnsley born. He is trying to fashion a winning team after suffering the dissappointment of losing a substantial number of players through no fault of his own. Many things happen behind the scenes that we , as supporters , dont know about. But anyone who jeered at the point when Brad Potts was substituted should be ashamed . Paul H should not have to shield young players from the few who can do more damage than there ' I could have done better' taunts. Give these young lads a chance , slagging people off does not lift their spirits or their game. COYRs
As Potts started to walk to the dugout he got booed - mostly from the Ponti. Hecky looked daggers towards the Ponti. If looks could kill !!! After the initial booing had stopped there then followed clapping as Potts left the field. But it was too late - the damage had been done. Mark my words here - Potts is going to be a star for Barnsley.
I remember Conor hourhine getting some abuse from some in the ponty I remember people saying he was a one trick pony and all he had was set pieces. He turned out to be one of the best midfielders I've seen put a red shirt on in 20 years. I can't look into the future and see how successful Potts will be but I do know he hasn't reached his peak and is still learning at what 22.
I like Heckinbottom as much as the next man but playing a player who carrying a knock then putting him in the wing when he's a central player then leaving him on when he was clearly gone isn't going to help protect the lad. I didn't boo or sarcastically applaud but i heard it and assumed it was aimed at hecky for not realising earlier that he needed to go off. For what it's worth i think potts is going to be an absolute star but not on the wing and worn out to the extent he can barely keep moving
I sit in the ponty end, and I didn't hear any booing. I did hear sarcastic cheers though, but they seemed to come from the side towards the east stand.
Why are you pushing this mantra? There was a loud cheer when Potts' number went up. This was followed by silence and a pause and THEN there was applause. I get it you're not his biggest fan. Repeating platitudes as you've done here won't change what actually happened.
People around me were angrily shouting 'get him off', 'gerrof field', 'it'd better be his number coming up' etc. They then sarcastically cheered when he was subbed off. I think the following applause was then bigger than it would have been normally as people were trying to make up for the ones who had booed.
I love how the Ponty gets the blame. I sit in there and didn't jeer or clap. Most of jeering seemed to come from the Eric
People who want to boo should do. People who want to happy clap the mediocrity of Potts should do. Both as damaging as the other in my eyes though.
Perhaps they weren't ' happy clapping the mediocrity of Potts' but were genuinely acknowledging his effort and commitment even though if they didn't think he'd had a good game. How is that 'damaging'
I've never booed a Barnsley player in more than 50 years supporting the club (been sorely tempted a few times though), but I have to say that I'm not seeing the potential in Potts that others seem to. I think part of the problem is that I don't quite understand his role. Anyway, I sincerely hope, of course, that I'm wrong and that we have another gem on our hands.
Irrespective of who the player might be, to my mind, there is absolutely no justification in jeering or booing when one of our own is coming off the field after being substituted. Hecky's right to defend Brad Potts. He needs to be given time to develop as in my opinion it's obvious watching him play , that he really is trying to give of his best. If at the end of the day, he can't make the transition, it might be best for his own sake to take him out of the firing line especially when we're playing at home otherwise what little confidence he might have , could totally disappear.
Booing the team as a collective after an abject, spineless performance is ok but to single a player out for personal abuse just because his manager has left him playing longer than one wants is completely out of order in my opinion.