Ssw

I'm a big fan of Sam but it seems a little bit now like the man is exempt from any form of criticism. Watkins and Payne have had much better pre-seasaons so why not give them a shot?

 

I think he gets an astounding amount of criticism considering the goals he scores.....

 

Hard not to have anything but praise for Sam's efforts last season. During the disastrous first half of the season I wasn't sure he'd cut it in League One despite his free-scoring efforts for Scunny in League Two. To his credit he worked hard and finished up a 20 goal striker, playing a massive part in our success. Towards the end of last season I began to think he might be able to take it to an even higher level. Bradshaw looks a more natural finisher, Payne has more physical presence, and Marley has both pace and versatility. So I don't think Sam can be an automatic choice. I hope he works hard and forces himself in, because that can only be for the continued good of the team. But I don't think Hecky is sentimental, and the competition for places will be healthy.

 

Some people love a scape goat or two.

 

If nothing else Sam has earned the right to be given a chance in the championship.

 

I believe, after all his efforts and goals these past two seasons, Sam has earned the right to go through a period of indifferent form without OTT criticism, especially when we're talking of preseason friendlies. It seems it doesn't take much for some fans to turn on our players.
It's my opinion he has what it takes to score goals at this level, I have faith in the lad to deliver.
Seeing as the last league season finished only a matter of weeks ago, classing it as 'history' is barmy. In other words, this approach of ingratitude means "Thanks for being the first striker to score 20 league goals in a season for Barnsley since Brian Joicey in 1976/77, Sam, and playing a huge part in winning us promotion. But it counts for nothing and is totally irrelevant".

 

I like him and think he deserves his chance and should get it but nobody should be immune from dropping/resting otherwise what hope is there for other squad members and it just breeds unrest.

 

Ludicrous to even consider starting the season without Sam Winnall. He deserves a good crack of games in the Championship before being benched...

 

Correct.
But it also breeds unrest if someone delivers the goods and is then dropped for having a less effective game. I trust our Head Coach to find the right balance.
Perhaps it's me, but we've just had a fantastic & successful second half of a season. Yet it appears we have some who are chomping at the bit to criticise at the drop of a hat. We've not even started the new season yet!

 

The really crazy thing is that his previous season form has been no different to his form all last season or all the season before.

Sam winnall is poor at quite a few aspects of football. Always has been, always will be. That isn't over the top criticism, it's a fact. Well it's an opinion really but I think it's an opinion that pretty much everyone shares.

Fact 2. He Mises a lot of seemingly easy chances. he has in previous season, he did last season, he did the year before and he most certainly will next season.

Fact 3. Despite the above which look extremely negative, he scores a hell of a lot of goals and a hell of a lot of important ones too.

Would I rather have a player who scores the goals he does AND has the all round ability to go with it? Of course I would. The problem is we are Barnsley not barca so it's not very likely to happen. Sam can't play up top on his own because his all round play is weak. We've all seen it. But put him up front with somebody who's play compliments his and you have a brilliant striker. And I'm certain that given a run of games with the correct partner (Marley for example) that Pinball will be just as valuable to us next season as he was last season.

Nobody remembers the shots where redfearn hit row z or where hammill or hourihane did. We all remember the ones in the back of the net so why not afford our top scorer the same courtesy?

 

He could end up shooting himself in the foot with this contract.
He's been offered a new deal and hasn't signed it. It could be very similar to George Williams. If he doesn't impress this season alongside us staying up and we end up withdrawing a contract offer, he could well find himself within a League 1 setup.
I really hope he impresses but for him to think he can do better than us is really getting his hopes up.

 

I remember that ****. Oh the smell.

 

Oops

 

As you rightly say, if you have the inclination you can find faults in any player in the history of Barnsley Football Club, as not one has been perfect. But to use your player examples, they all bring (or brought) strengths to the table which outweigh their faults. I also believe your assessment of Sam's all round play being poor is way off the mark. But I still love you!

 

Players should get in the team based on form not reputation or the past. If that's the case then Payne should start next week so we have two strikers that aren't too similar up front, as he brings something different. It's "only pre season" as some put on here but it's still better to bang in goals no matter what type of game it is. It can knock the confidence of a player if he's doing **** hot and yet not getting the game time their performances deserve.

 

also Dreamboy.

Who gives a **** about last season. It's gone, finished and it will not affect this season at all.

We're in the champ now. Paying champ wages, fans paying champ ticket prices. It's not wrong for people to expect champ performances no matter who the player and I will and I don't care what people think about it.

 

Popcorn , get yer popcorn

cold beers roll up

 

Yes but Winnall is still a good player and a big part of why we are in this league to start with. For him to want to run his contract down it shows the faith he has in his own ability and it's in his best interests to bang them in for us or bigger clubs aren't going to want him.

Play guys on merit/form that's what i'm saying.

 

It never ceases to amaze me how those with a profound proclivity for criticism (be it towards the club, team & squad, individual players, board, owner, the Head Coach & his staff, or the tactics they employ) are totally unwilling, unable & incapable of accepting this being reciprocated.