Thing is against Luton - in the 2nd half a sort of panic set in - and as a result the shape of the side went to pieces. Players running around like headless chickens. BUT BUT BUT .......... no one can fault the effort of the players and manager since we came back from total lockdown. And as a Barnsley fan I’ll say this ........ Barnsley fans will accept losing and will accept when players are not up to the mark. What they won’t accept - is lack of effort. And IMO there has been bucketloads of spirit and effort on show.
Firstly I agree that the basic requirement is effort and commitment. Illustrated over and over again by popular players over the years, with perhaps the noteable exception of Paddy McCourt - but was popular nevertheless because of his massive talent and extraordinary skill he sometimes showed. Don't agree though Nudge that Barnsley fans will accept losing and accept when players aren't up to the mark. This season, in which we've had several who haven't been up to the mark, has shown that. But I think that by and large the blame for that has been levelled at the owners rather than the players themselves - who have been trying but have fallen short so many times. Secondly, effort isn't enough. It has to be accompanied by the ability to impose yourself on the game, to compete with your opposite number and win the battle with them such that your influence on the game is greater than theirs. Whilst there's been the odd game when collectively most of the players have done that generally they haven't. We have showed effort since coming back but for me the only time we really imposed ourselves was the second half performance v Blackburn. We were marginally short v Millwall, way short v Stoke and short again last night. A couple of other related observations. For me Alex Mowatt has won his individual battle most often and contributed most in that respect this season. And I don't necessarily blame individual players for not being able to do it consistently at this stage in their career. It's difficult. But it's an essential requirement to be successful irrespective of division and is one of the reasons the recruitment policy has failed to equip us to compete successfully this season.
The players have been hung out to dry by the owners recruitment, it's not their fault we were lacking a bit of experience . They have done their best especially since 're start apart from Stoke game.
I think there's been a massive pack of effort from the manager. He's lazily picked his mates instead of the strongest 11. Against Stoke he stood silent while things were going to ****. He wasn't motivating, shouting tactics, he didn't gather them round from the drinks break, he took the easy lazy option of standing arms folded blissfully ignoring the game. On Saturday he again picked his mates and again stood while it was going to ****. His late subs was lazyino and not someone busting a gut to save the season. The problem is he's already been told his job is safe if he gets relegated if I recall correctly from a previous comment of his at a fan meeting.
I thought last night was a game of two managers TBH. Jones saw what was happening in the first half and stopped it happening in the second.
Agree with virtually 100% of that...irrespective of who and how...its the recruitment that let us down but they have all applied themselves to the job in hand admirably.
I recall a conversation I once had in Cudworth with Brian Howard when we discussed Davey (spits ) and his favoritism and tactics... In which Brian came out with similar to nudgers comments..... Its not rocket science...win loose or draw the player who ever he is might not be the most talented nor the greatest in footballing terms but as long as he puts a shift in gives it 100%, puts his foot or head in where it hurts the Barnsley fans appreciate and acknowledge that... no matter the result they will go home Happy knowing the individual or team performance have played for the shirt.... Can't argue with that
