Positions that need filling next season?

? true unfortunately

 

We need at least 1 keeper, 2 if we cash in on Steele.
We have a quality RB in Hassell, but his fitness issues are catching up with him but thankfully I reckon Stones and Collins could deputise when needed. Unfortunately, unless I see 100% improvement so far as being a defender goes, then I don't see the point in Wiseman. Globourne and McNulty look capable at LB, as did Collins, but I still think it's a position of worry, and has been for blummin years. Oh for a Neil Thompson.
Foster and Edwards aren't good enough to be first choice center halves at this level. They'll give you the odd decent performance but we need to be making a top top signing in that area IMO. Someone of stature, a leader. I do feel that both Collins and McNulty are capable of being the partner for said 'leader'. I don't understand the bashing that Jimmy gets tbh. Considering where his career was at, and the gamble Hill took over his fitness, I thought the lad was our standout defender. A ball playing center half with versatility. Ok, he made the odd gaffe, but as I say, alongside a big lad with nous, and after a year of experience at this standard, I expect him to flourish next term.
We have 2 decent wide players in O'Brien and Done, with the likes of Clark, Noble-Lazarus etc to add competition. I expect Hill to add another couple of wingers though, hopefully 1 of em will be a Vaz Te type - something 'different'. Because for the last 3 months it was such a dull side to watch with nothing special to change a game.
Then we have a pair of grafters in the middle of the park, along with young Digby coming through. And that leaves IMO, our major focal point regards recruitment - finding a playmaker, someone in the Redfearn, Hignett, Butterfield mould. Good luck with that Keith on our budget.
Up front we have young Rose who with some work on his physique, looks a decent option next season. Davies is a certainty to start, so long as we play him centrally, and get players to feed him - he can't always be expected to score from outside the box, although he is pretty good at doing that.
Dangerous Dagnall is back, and maybe with a good pre-season behind him he'll come good and be next year's O'Brien. I doubt that will happen but who knows?
All in all, I'd like to see 7 recruits - minimum. With 3 or 4 of those being regular starters.
When Keith gets back in the countery after his hols, he has a lot of work ahead of him.
And what he does with his recruitment, will determine whether I am taking up my regular pew at Oakwell come August 18th

 

I expect Luke Steele to leave this summer

So I'd say two goalkeepers, a commanding centre half, players who will, hopefully, bring creativity to the midfield (both centrally and from wide positions) and a couple of strikers of differing styles (a target man and a speed merchant). Also, it'd be great if at least two of these players bring with them true leadership qualities, as the team has sadly been lacking this for quite some years now.

 

Re: I expect Luke Steele to leave this summer

If Steele does stay, I wouldn't sign another keeper. Most reserve keepers don't get a chance when the main keeper gets injured, clubs just bring in a better emergency loan. For the number of games a year you would need a keeper to come off the bench I would rather save a couple of grand a week and invest it in a better outfield player who will play every week. I think its things like that you need to do to stretch a limited budget.

 

Looking at the austerity actions of the club

I think they'll probably try to move on players still under contract whose salary was set prior to the current financial approach.

 

Re: Looking at the austerity actions of the club

Thats why I'm optimistic. I think a major issue last season is that the top earners were the players who weren't getting a game. With the likes of Jay Mac, Gray, Lovre, Doyle gone that should free up a considerable amount of money to build a more balanced team were the top earners are first choice and in key positions. Unless Edwards is going to start next year I'd be moving him on too. This will be the first time Hill has a chance to build his own squad were most of the wage bill isn't going on players on the periphery.

 

Re: Looking at the austerity actions of the club

The top earner is Luke Steele he's on 9,000 pounds a week after his last contract renewal, would you suggest we try and move him on in this summer?

 

Re: Looking at the austerity actions of the club

Did you miss the bit where he said players on the periphery??

 

Re: Looking at the austerity actions of the club

Ta!

 

Re: Looking at the austerity actions of the club

If he is on that kind of a wedge then **** me get rid!
He earns 10 times as much as we paid Vaz Te

 

Re: Looking at the austerity actions of the club

I thought he was on 5k, banded about a bit when we first signed him even with an extension l doubt we nearly doubled it.

 

Re: Looking at the austerity actions of the club

3/4k tops

 

Re: East Stand Upper, Row AA

Sorry Redstar, only just seen this. A combination of factors, not all of them dorectly under BFC's control. In no particular order, and it's a combination of the following:

1) I've just had a little boy and am more interested in spending time with him than going to the match
2) The quality of football doesn't justify the cost, time and effort of a 100 mile round trip that takes up all of my Saturday every other week
3) There's just something about Keith Hill that I find utterly objectionable. I just don't like him to the extent that for the first time under any manager i find myself not able to support his team. Totally petty and my issue I know, but there you go.
4) My Dad's fed up of it and not enjoying going anymore, which makes me want to go less.
5) The board repeating the same old mistakes again and again wrt to steele's contract. Gordon Shepherd once said, and I can't remember about what player "I just don't understand the rush to resign him, there's a year on his contract". And unwittingly that was the truth in a nutshell - they just don't get it.
6) I've never seen a Barnsley team less likely to win a match than the one we put out the last three months of this season
7) I think we will go down next season.
8) The lack of ambition coming from the club and the constant dampening of what little expectations we have. We've been in this division or better 24 of the last 28 years. I'm sorry, but on that basis I expect Championship football. That is my minimum expectation. Minimum.
9) Certain things that I can't talk about which happened with an individual linked to the club some years ago distanced me from the club and I've never really got that bond back since then. I just love BFC a little bit less because of it - and the magic for me has gone.
10) I think with the exception of the players that were here before Hill and Davies, the squad is uniformly dour.

 

Re: East Stand Upper, Row AA

I want to send my ST back after reading that...

Not indoctrinating jnr into it then ? Got ours a shirt and everything, hope she likes hockey or summat instead.

 

Re: East Stand Upper, Row AA

Nah, he can choose blue or red, and whichever he prefers I'll go with him. That's honestly how I feel about it. Lost the bug :-(

 

Re: East Stand Upper, Row AA

I just sit there, bored as f*ck every week, not really caring. Actually that's not fair, because there's some really good lads who sit around me and I'll miss the banter with them, but a laugh with some good lads doesn't really justify 400 nicker does it?

 

Re: East Stand Upper, Row AA

Fair do's, silly boll0cks here clings to the hope that things will change, but whilst ever the current psyche permeates from above, I fear I'm p*ssing in the wind.

Gutted cos really wanted young'un to get into BFC, seeing as she'll grow up away from Barnsley.

 

Re: Looking at the austerity actions of the club

Sorry boss.

 

Re: East Stand Upper, Row AA

It's depressing reading stuff like this.

Someone from the club should be reading this and shitting the sens but unfortunately they won't be batting an eyelid.