So Now We Are Safe..................

At the risk of the usual torrent of abuse.................

OK, good today (by all accounts). We got the job done. Safety looks assured. So what next?

This wins us another year of Keith Hill's Flying Circus. More of the same next year? Except next year we start without a Butterfield, a Vaz Te, or a Drinkwater. Those three players should be grateful to Hill, because under his tutelage they have all moved on (or are about to). What will happen in Summer regarding Steele, Foster and Doyle?

Is there anybody of that ilk still lurking within this squad? If there is, is it of any benefit to us, given that they will be gone in January if they show any form? What are we building, if that's the case? Today has been built up into a mini cup final, but there were less than 10,000 today, and crowds are falling. You only have to read the posts on here to see that more and more are getting disillusioned. So how many ST's next season? Fewer renewals means more people saying what? £30 a game? They won't come.

OK, we've gone FFP, and survived. But what does that benefit us if we're straight financially, but then trying to compete on gates of 7-8,000? We know where that's leading, don't we? Weren't some of our previous problems caused by not asking these sorts of questions?

Just asking, like?

 

I would have thought on similar lines at 3pm but if you had seen the hunger,intensity and quality in todays performance all of those issues can be forgotten for a while. The future is uncertain but I have no doubt the best man is at the helm.

 

More and more are getting disillusioned?

I think you'll find its the same people every time.

 

Re: More and more are getting disillusioned?

Top 10 next year, maybe even a promotion push. Then the crowds will return.
You do realise that I find it hard to read a thread like this from someone who chose not to go today? I mean, arent you a bit of a nipple for quoting how small the gate is when you are one of the reasons?

 

Steele will stay as he's under contract and the other two might not get new deals. Doyle shouldn't play again for us.

 

What's with all the full stops? Do we know anyone else who uses so many? Just one I think...........................

 

Good post. And some interesting responses. Beating Pboro 1v0 doesn't make us a top ten team next season. We have lost all genuine quality in the squad. And only when we sign players that get fans out of their seats, players that change games with a moment of magic (glavin, hignett, vaz te) will fans return to oakwell. A team of grafters that give 100% every week but have serious limitations will not entice stay away fans back to Oakwell.

 

Re: More and more are getting disillusioned?

Just thinking the same thing Whitey, a stay away fan commenting on poor crowds. Priceless.

 

Re: More and more are getting disillusioned?

I'm actually commenting on the reason for the small crowds. I've never made any secret of the fact that whilst my loyalty is, and will remain, with BFC, I regard myself as a customer - not a supporter. That might be against the principles of many on here, but there are many like me who need to be convinced of the way in which the club is going before they can be enticed back. That they are enticed back is, in turn vital to any prospects of future success for the club.

I know I'm not always noted for having an overly-optimistic outlook on here. I concede that it sounds like the players were terrific yesterday. But let's not forget that this game was built up into something of a mini cup-final - and Hill and the players seem to have bought in to that idea. It was only a mini cup-final due to the fact that they spent the previous seven games under-performing, gathering one point from 21. Will they bring the same spirit to the remaining end-of-season games, or more importantly to the first half of next season? We shall see! One thing's for sure though - if they don't, they won't find it as easy to dig themselves out this time next year.

 

Hopefully we can get Cotterill signed up, and on a decent length of contract as well. I have a feeling that if we can keep him he will be one of our key creative players next season.

 

I keep hearing this talk of no talent or creativity etc, and that next year without Jacob Butterfield and Ricardo Vaz Te et al, we will go down. But thats only if you are of the impression that when this season ends, the next begins a week later.
We have the summer to recruit the players needed, and lets remember who gave us Vaz Te and Drinkwater, and who it was that gave Butts his wings...
KK has admitted that at this time of the year, and only the loan window to operate in, that its hard to plug gaps instantly. You need time and preparation, and thats what the summer is for. And I for one have faith in Keith, as he looks to bring more Vaz Te's etc into the club

 

Just what i was thinking Whitey. Give him the pre-season to recruit (and cast off any deadwood) and let them play some games without the pressure of gaining points. I'm looking forward to it, and i'm not normally an optimist!!

 

If you look at the end of last season it was Robins who gave Butterfield his wings playing him 90 mins for last 8 games of the season. Hill continued with starting Butterfield but clipped his wings one or twice in August by subbing him. Hill then started leaving him on when he started hitting the back of the net.

 

I had got to the point where I thought I had imagined that mate.
Butterfield was brought through perfectly last season and its been proved this. He was not ready for playing every match and was therefore sometimes left out, yet it seems as though all this has been forgotten.
I see the same in Digby this season. He has been left out and used sparingly, , it will be same next season too.

 

miserable twonk

 

out of interest mr kaht, what would it take to get you back to oakwell, is it finance, football or other reasons keeping you away

 

Go Ballax thee !!

 

Glad you asked that, only1kp.

1. Ambition. We had one season in the Premiership. That may not [and probably never will] be repeated. But that doesn't mean it can't be the goal. When we say things like "We're punching above our weight" and "success equals survival" it's clear we don't, as a club, even have the spirit to aspire to this status. I'd settle for us aspiring to a brand of attcking, pass and move football, such as we saw with the 96-97 promotion squad. Let's not forget, that was a squad assembled at a cost of less than £1M. Can't be done? Ask Blackpool. OK, we will always have to consider offers for our exceptional players, but should the good-to-average ones be cashed in?

2. Connection. Whether it was illusion of not, the BFC of John Dennis' era felt like the fans belonged. Chronicle, Programme, local media - there seemed some connection. The official website, and the add-on fees for Barnsley Player scream "screw you - we want your last dollar". You get nothing for nothing, because you are a source of revenue. Why would this attitude attract unquestioning loyalty?

3. Value for money. A Barnsley trait to want this. Last season, I counted 4-5 games which were actually an enjoyable spectacle. If I'd got concessions I'd have probably rowed in, but is the full adult season ticket price value in these circumstances? Is £30 a game [notwithstanding the occasional retreat from this unsustainable price] really value for money?

I totally accept that there are many fans for whom BFC is a way of life, and they will follow the club over a cliff. But future success - especially in the FFP era - will depend on attracting the 'floating voters' - including me.

We need a sensible, forward-looking business plan, investment [not pumping cash in, but balancing present revenue against building a sustainable customer base and some brand loyalty] and a more customer-focused club.

That's all.

 

He's definitely thereev.

 

Just his attention seekingness.