He was alright. I remember him playing well in the Santos friendly and I thought we'd found a real gem but was very average in most games after that.
Tinkler was awful as, unfortunately, a lot of big money signings in the late 90s were. I recall one game at Gillingham where he lobbed around half a dozen cross field balls straight into the stand.
I think eric was the type of player that you had to watch all the time to see how good he was, he was very rarely a standout player but he was always there breaking things up and putting his foot in, every team needs one
I thought he was ok when he played, not a stand out player in the team but he was here during the best period in our history , comparing to Kay and Dawson is ridiculous. I agree given his pedegree we expected more of him but we can say that about most of the players we've ever had !!
Dunno about "rose-tinted" glasses, most people on here have "****-tinted" glasses when it comes to ex-players. Apart from three or four legends, it sounds like no-one rated anyone. That team that reached the play-off finals was the highest scoring Barnsley team I can ever remember and we had a cracking creative midfield which included Tinkler. He'd also chip in with the odd thunderbolt at goal. I'd give anything to have that team back again including "Tinks". Don't let time destroy the memories of what a great side that was.
Apart from the promo team it was mine too. My point was that he was bought for 6/700k from seria A, international regular to play in the Prem, probably just found his level in CCC. But I just didn't rate him at all. Just my opinion. As for your other point there are loads of 'they're all ****' merchants knocking abart. I think it stems from the fact that is difficult to name many former BFC players that have gone on to do better at a higher level. Doesn't mean they were ****. Just that they fitted in at the Well. Recently Vaz Te is the exception. But recently Butts, Davies, Howard, Boggy, Hammil were all stars for us, left for the money and did fook all in general.
Excellently put! He might not have been a stand-out player but he was possibly one of our poorer players at the time, which is no bad thing when comparing with the gash we've had since then. Anyone mentioning McClare in the same breath wants their head examining - he just weren't up to Championship standard, yet Hendrie seemed to rate him.
A family member knows Spinks(old club secretary) quite well, and he has said that 'arry only gave him a new contract on the same terms as before because he "Couldnt be bothered finding a replacement"(Spinks' words). Not sure how true or owt though....
turning circle of an estuary dredger - second touch was always a tackle- injury prone until S Africa international loomed -League 1 at best
Not only do I believe he was on a par with Kay, Dawson, McClare etc, I think Van der Laan and Colace were better than him. The fact he was here when we had Redders, Hignett, Barnard, Ward, Eaden etc etc means diddly squat. So was Chris Morgan, and he was gash as well.
One was a young kid making his way (or trying to), the other was an international on serious wages. Both at the same level. Both average. Just my opinion. I don't think I need my head examined for it.
Tinkler - 120 appearances - 9 goals. McClare - 65 appearances (half from the bench, mind) - 7 goals. Both average, at best.
I thought he was decent without being outstanding, suffered a lot by being compared to Paul Ince as the "guvnor" by the management at the time. Wish the Eric Tinker from the premier season was playing this Saturday.
You can't judge a midfield player on goals alone, there are much more important factors to consider than just that. You might as well compare Lampards goal-to-game ratio with that of Makele - it doesn't add up. Tinkler was never brought in to score plenty, McClare was given a much more advanced role. I don't want to be too harsh on the lad because as you correctly say he was a young lad trying to make his way in the game, but he was way below average in my opinion and I never expected him to ever make a mark in the game. Tinkler was part of a good side we had and was easily overlooked when you had people like Redfearn and Hignett around. Always been a good subject though Tinkler with plenty of divided opinion (mainly against, but certainly a few for him).