Big Day For Hillcroft: Which Will It Be?

1. They play the right way - a draw or better today indicates that this project will work given time?
2. We have bought cheap - the system is undoubtedly the right way to play football but defeat today signals that the players brought in are not good enough to support this system at Championship level?

I really hope its the former. I thought the result against Forest was very encouraging. OK, Tuesday's was a nothing game, but judging by Hill's reaction, he wasn't contemplating defeat. After their demolition of Leeds last Saturday, Southampton will provide a good test. Norwich showed that recent promotion from League One doesn't make promoted clubs easy pickings in this league.

This game and Boro on Tuesday will tell us where Hill's team is going, I reckon. I know some will say you can't look short term, but under Davey - and Robins to an extent - we've seen how a poor start can be the slippery slope. Adter Tuesday we've Reading, Millwall and Leicester to face, so I think two reasonably good shows today/Tuesday are pretty important. Confidence will count for a lot!

 

A good performance today will definitely be important

But I don't think it'll mean certain doom if Southampton do get the result. Anything can happen in football.

 

3. Defeat today is not a signal that we're doomed because this is a longer term project and cannot be judged after the first home game. Hill and the players should get time to gel because you cannot change things overnight.

I reckon we'll be ok today, a good performance and a positive result.

 

I think we'll draw today and get a win against Boro

 

When did Robins have a poor start? our opening four league games last season L W D W. l always thought we looked nailed on mid table 60 points at christmas and then it went tits up from January.

 

Too reiterate what the manager said on Thursdays...

If we win one game..it doesn't mean where going to win the league....and likewise if we lose..today it doesn't make us *****....to the hypersensitive's of this world...its just another game....

 

Re: Too reiterate what the manager said on Thursdays...

Keith Hills comment of fans being too negative annoyed me after his negative showing on tuesday night

 

Re: Too reiterate what the manager said on Thursdays...

It's the expectation that kills it....because it as no reality..

 

Re: Too reiterate what the manager said on Thursdays...

I shouldn't be surprised at what I'm reading, but some Barnsley fans never cease to amaze me. We've lost one game in a Mickey Mouse cup, just like we do every single ******* year regardless of whos in charge, and we've got a very creditable and deserved draw away at Forest - yet if we lose today we're writing off the management duo?

Truly special.

 

Re: Too reiterate what the manager said on Thursdays...

Think you better get used to Hill being critical of fans Supertyke mate. Rochdale fans said he does it alot. To be honest - I agreed with him. It was poor on Tuesday - Fact. But the way some people are straight on the backs of players and mangement ect is unreal.

Hes being manager for 6 weeks - Not 6 months!! We all agree i think that the football we played pre season and at Forest was miles in front of anything we have seen at Oakwell in a long long time. Lets be patient and see what the season brings rather than decide we are doomed due to a loss against Morcambe in a tin pot cup!!

 

i thought Orsenkaht was waitin until October before passing judgement??
but no, seems as though 1 home game on the back of a point away is enough to decide our future, and the players and managements ability..

 

No 2., sadly?

 

I cant see any criticism in his original post, maybe you should try to read what is actually written , rather than what you expect to read!!!

 

13 weeks on from the Millwall game and only 4 players from that game started yesterday. That was a bit of a key, really, because the players looked unfamiliar with one another. This affected nobody more than Butterfield, who was totally anonymous for the entire time he was on the pitch. Doyle was also less involved than usual. Mention has to be made of the excellent Perkins, who alone showed any drive, industry or commitment. I said before that it's ok beating League One opposition with a pass-pass-pass game, but could we do it against more competitive opposition in the Championship? Well yesterday was the answer. These players, on the whole, are not good enough to cut it at Championship level. Yes - they may improve as they become more used to one another, but the temptation for Hill to chop and change may frustrate that. The basic fact is, they haven't the skill to play at a pace that can take advantage of a pass and move style.

The only time we got going yesterday was 1. After Southampton were reduced to ten men and 2. When we went gung-ho. In fact it was Southampton who produced the better passing movements and they were sharper and snappier than us when they hadn't got the ball. What adds to the concern is that Southampton really should have been out of sight by half time, given the way they opened us up. When you consider the manner of his departure, you have to feel sorry for Robins. The threat of Shackell's sale promised to undermine the defence - which is exactly what happened yesterday. No wonder MR threw in the towel! Boro come to Oakwell on Tuesday on the back of a win at Elland Road yesterday, and then we embark on a run of games against Reading, Millwall and Leicester. Yes - it's early days, but the signs are not good.

In answer to a couple of points: I attended yesterday courtesy of Kaht Jr and have therefore had a sight of Hill's team earlier than Oct 1st! Secondly, no - I will not be smug/pleased if I am right and we are headed in the wrong direction. I did have concerns, however, and Tuesday and yesterday have done nothing to allay them. I can't see that a couple more players - even if Hill is allowed to bring in any more - are going to alter the inadequacy of the squad as a whole. I'll be very happy if it turns round and we achieve survival, but as it stands I think we've taken a wrong turn and we may well pay the consequences. It's going to be a long, hard season!