Is it me or is the bbs not the same anymore..seriously

Yep, I'd noticed it too. In no way could I be described as a prolific poster, but I used to read this board way more than was healthy for a grown man.
Now it might be once a day (or less). Sad thing is they've driven away the people (& debate) on here... the very thing they crave.

Feel most sorry for the site Admin team, who I'm in awe of, and do a sterling job. They deserve better.
Not be too long before it's just the nay brigade on here and I honestly don't think they'll be happy even then.

I'm not against opinions that differ from mine, but unfortunately they're just too predictable, which makes it boring (the cardinal sin for a forum).

 

Ponty is alright on twitter when he's not boring every **** about brexit. Catch up at pigs game hopefully Roy.

 

You might have a point. But then again, folk on the other side of the fence also get attacked for having the temerity of suggesting where things could be improved when in fact folk should just say the club is the best-run club in the land, doff their caps and pay their money gladly. Debate isn't allowed on either side as views are so polarised and entrenched. When anyone makes a point, "negative" or "positive" the other side gets defensive and can attack.

Most folk classified as "negative" are derided for being so but are as big a supporter as anyone "positive" and vice versa.

I'm in favour of this board being a valve or outlet for frustrations rather than the ground and therefore a place where opinions can be shared or vented and discussed.

What I prefer not to happen is total nonsense dressed up as "positivity" to be acceptable but the flip not being so...

 

Don't mind opposing views, but some just hammer it home for attention

 

As I said I don't mind people airing their opinions, regardless of whether or not they coincide with mine. Your right, a forum like this should be a place to vent (as well as debate).

The problem for me is the mind numbing predictability of it all. I guess it's a bit like when a mate at the pub gets dumped by the 'love of his life' and starts wallowing in self pity.
First week: you listen and try and be a mate.
Second week: you buy him a pint and a chaser, tell him to grow a pair & move on.
Third week: If he still keeps going you try to debate as to why she wasn't 'the one'.
Fourth week: You've had enough, you've no choice but to tell him he's getting boring & predictable and bringing everyone down

Eventually, when he still hasn't got the message you just start drinking in a different boozer.

 

I've been away is Aus for about a month.
Got back 2 weeks ago & been posting a bit.

I think we are in an odd time for Barnsley. Good season football wise, not likely now to go down.

We realise the team next season is going to be totally different & with the situation with Patrick & lack of board members / CEO it is hard to make too much discussion, without seeming negative in a way.

I think there are times when the football is bad & the gallows humour is there & when we are on a winning run where there is boisterous jubilation. Things are a bit stagnant now on the discussion front.

 

The polarisation is the thing. Everyone has to be either 'negative' or 'positive'. Football like most things in life is not one thing or the other it's shades of both. Anyone sitting on the middle is attacked from all sides.

On the pitch things have gone pretty well. At the start of the season I thought that finishing above Rotherham and Burton would equate to success. We easily surpassed that. Coming into Christmas it was possible to look up and think of the play offs. After the difficulties of January a top half finish looks possible which on the balance of things will be a tremendous success.

Off the pitch we have done some good things. Some of the initiatives brought in under Wilson then developed by Johnson and Heckingbottom are paying off with players living locally and looking committed to being part of the community and giving something back rather than paying lip service.

The club have also looked at ticketing initiatives. The flexi tickets were asked for and provided and have been successful. The ticketing offers for the Huddersfield game proved a great success and I see no reason for Brentford not to be similarly good. We have a Barnsley fan who is the owner of the club. He is passionate and committed and has done some fantastic things for the club.

His commitment to the Academy and underwriting the funding for it can only be applauded and has paid off in the development of Stones, Bree and Holgate. Whilst on the whole I have little interest in the finances at Oakwell on the balance of things I'd say it's probably relatively important that we become self sufficient. It's not viable to lose money year on year and especially in the light of Mr Cryne's health problems this becomes even more crucial as no one can see what the future might bring. It doesn't mean I have the answers to this. It doesn't mean I am critical of Mr Cryne. Football clubs by and large are run by successful people who then throw all the rules away that got them successfully on the first place and can't or won't run their clubs in a similar way. I mean Mike Ashley runs Sports Direct like some 3rd world serf Dom but spruiked money away at Newcastle. I bet Rafa isn't on a zero Hours contract.

The use of data analysis and 'moneyball' theories to gain an advantage seems to be the best fit for us and looks to be a good way to move us forward as a club. A myriad of small advantages joining together to give a sporting advantage. Developing players and selling them for a profit then repeating the cycle. At the same time it is not the easy route that some people seem to think it is. It's also not a damning criticism to say that we need to become cleverer with contracts from we are ultimately to see the benefit of this approach. In built extensions, performance related pay. Using the same methodical approach off the pitch as on seems the clearest approach. Again this won't be easy in a sport where players now have most of the power. Again it is not damning criticism to say that this is an area where we need to improve. All clubs in our situation do.

In terms of marketing. We are doing some things fantastically. The clubs media output rivals the best in the division. It reflects us and represents us well. At the same time commercially we have not yet got the balance right. We would struggle to take forward an initiative ( even if we wanted to) like Bradford's because it relies on a bold marketing strategy backed up with a resilient commercial team who are able to make up shortfall in revenue by flogging 10,000 home shirts and improving revenue streams in all areas. Again saying that things can get better is not a negative statement its positive and doesn't denigrate the work of anyone involved.

The ground is a difficult issue. It looks and feels in decline. The club has felt over the last decade that to be competitive on the pitch ground maintenance and development has taken a back seat. Again any relatively normal person would say yes I see the point and can agree with it ( though the level of agreement may vary depending on the person). At the same time we are a community club. We need to look at cost neutral or cost free methods of improving things. The club seem very suspicious of supporter involved or led initiatives. I'm sure for example the painting and cleaning of the ground could be done without it impacting on playing budget if volunteers/ sponsors were found. I'm the medium term it's not practical to just let things slide. Instead of an open day they could run a come and clean the place up and have a few free pints in the Exec box after day. Again not controversial views really. If you don't look after something eventually it'll fall down or look **** if you can try to avoid this. If you haven't got the money look go for more innovative solutions.

The guys in Redfearns do a great job. They really give something back to the supporters and the club and I can't thank them enough. At the same time the space they do it in is barely fit for purpose as its a glorified meeting room. Again it's not a criticism of the club and certainly not of those involved it's a great start but there's nothing wrong with someone thinking how can we develop and discussing that.

So after the ramble it's the starkness that's the issue with the board. Mention the fact that the club should be able to get a franchisee that can serve hot food or a pint of beer relatively speedily and it's like you have shat on the queens head. You can't say this is good, this is great , this not so much. It either has to be everything is great or everything is *****. Also people take themselves far too seriously. Tonight while having a discussion with someone on here I was volunteering at a food bank. Real people with real problems. Puts it all in perspective really.

 

Squirrel Leabians with strap on's dot com

 

Sorry Edit - SQUIRREL LEABIANS are basically a more kinky breed of squirrel lesbians

 

Yes. Nail on the head.

I don't think disagreement on an issue should be a reason to polarise people. Some people will agree on politics, but have a different view on the team selection, or visa versa. Some folks dig Queen & others Ornette Coleman or Biggie Smalls.

 

Except Coldplay. No one should like Coldplay. As Superhans once said ' you can't trust the people they like Coldplay and voted for Nazi's'...

 

Funnily enough I met Super Hans in Sheffield at a DJ gig in Sheffield last year. Thinnest man I've ever met...

 

How many businesses have you built up in the West Midlands ?

 

Bossman
Tha reight in some respects- but wrong in another.

Tha reight in saying this message board has deteriorated- but it's not because of negativity towards the club.
Its deteriorating because Admin haven't the time to monitor the amount of abuse.

If there was a two strikes and you're suspended - first a warning then a suspension - then it would improve.
But according to Admin they haven't time to do this.
I know a few that have said this is why they don't post anymore.

After all, this message board was created so fans could have a friendly argument / debate about the club.
Nothing wrong with that.

 

I think my point is Nudge that the negativity on here at the moment far outweighs the positivity. We all know the club isn't perfect mate no club is but it's in a damnsight better position than it was last season and yet some folk on here like to continually drill it home as tho we're not aware of the issues. I'm pretty sure they'll be working hard behind the scenes to put it right. I'm guessing getting a new CEO will be a priority. I have noticed a massive drop in regular posters and there's got to be a reason behind that. I've lost count the amount of folk that's told me they don't post anymore because of the (their words not mine) "miserable fuckers on the Bbs"

 

I've defended the club against these posters fairly regularly.

 

I know that pal

 

It's not the opinions that are the problem for me, but the constant repetition of the same opinions. In my opinion of course.