Jay had to laugh at luke steele comment...then thought....maybe he likes 18 to 30 holidays.......maybe thats what the italy trip should be now know as.... barnsleyfc18to30jolly.com
I honestly believe that the only reason they're going is because if they cancelled it, it would be an admission of failure on their behalf. There's always a couple of late signings, but I believe they wanted the core of the squad together by this point and to take them away on one of these training camps. For whatever reason they haven't, but that's not a disaster, there's still plenty of time to get players in before the start of the season. You change your plans, cancel the trip, keep training at Oakwell and also use the time in your search for more players. What you don't do is carry on regardless, take your non-squad out to Italy and lose another week of precious time that could be far better spent recruiting players. Even with all the kids, we haven't got enough players for 11 v 11 practice games.
They played an XI vs XI practice match yesterday apparently. Some of the footage is on the Hecky interview on Player. But I'm not disputing owt with you, pal. I totally agree. I think they assumed that COG and perhaps others would have been flogged by now which would have enabled Danny to bring a few new recruits in. Before this Italian sojourn. Turns out they were wrong and we're seemingly stumbling into the season with little clue about what's going to happen. I hope I'm wrong. But it's a been a strange close season of contradictory reports. One minute we're after 20 players, next minute it's 10, before then being 5. One minute Danny's telling us COG has nailed his colours to the mast and wants to stay which pleases him, next minute we're apparently open to offers for him. I've been one of the optimistic buggers on here since we were relegated. But with every passing day now I feel less optimistic and more and more worried. Again, hope I'm wrong and my fears are unfounded.
"We`ll go with what we`ve got." DW at Crawley match Press conference. Hoskins plus 2 is my guess with COG gone.
Hoskins has the right credentials but it would be a huge gamble signing him with the knee problems he's had. Maybe we are that desperate. Rob Edwards was a similar kind of signing and how many games did he play?
3 point plan to suicide 1. O Grady to Sheff United, Craine back to Coventry and Jennings to Ipswich for £250k, release clause/Mick McCarthy/bent over again. 2. Sign Hoskins, Howard and a French unknown left back that once played under Wilson. 3. Lose against Crawley and Crewe and Wilson very much under pressure. That should do it.
Is it possible that some/all of the expense is covered by the Italian team(s) we are playing against?
Or, he may go on and have a successful Barnsley career after his injury problems. Like Eric Winstanley. Like Ian Evans. Like Steve Agnew. Like Stuart Gray. From The still trying to remain optimistic, rose coloured specs wearer.
I'm struggling to maintain my usual positivity at the moment, mate, but it'll return soon. Hopefully.
what the bloody hell does thar know abart Owt? Ayup matey hows life, hope you and yours are well. We just had a Cracking week on the Llynn peninsular up in N.Wales. I can seriously recommend it matey.
I know bugger all But at least I know I know bugger all! No digs for me this Summer. So I'll be sat on the bench in the garden, reading, drinking and feeding the birds. It's a hard life this retirement lark!
if you like I can send you the details of the cottage we just had , and also one in the peak district we use every year. Both are fabulous.