Why it’s imperative that Barnsley hold on to key players this summer

Think it’s right in saying that this summer will make or break our chances of securing a return to the championship at the first attempt. With rumours spreading wildly that the likes of Moore, Bradshaw, Lindsay and Potts are set to be the latest in a long tradition of star players to leave the Oakwell club confirmed to be more than true. The players have a lot to prove after an awful campaign in the championship last year. The squad were extremely unlucky to miss out on safety by a single point; missed opportunities and a leaky defence were some of the attributes which costed our survival in the championship. These players have bags of potential without a winger that can provide service or a stand out leader in the squad; something we had in abundance two years ago with the likes of Roberts and Hourihane. If only the board had been braver in keeping players at the club in the 2016/17 season, losing the likes of Mawson and hourihane, we might have been plying our trade in a higher league which is now something that feels a far distant venture. Keeping key players at the club this season will establish a firm basis for progress and send a statement to other clubs that we will not sell our best players for peanuts without receiving a significant transfer fee. The players understandably lack confidence after losing so many games last year but a little winning run could restore much needed confidence in the team and get us back where we belong and further. You Reds!!

 

I think "star players" is a bit of an exaggeration in this respect.

I know that L1 will be easier with them still in the side, but none of them would leave a gaping hole that couldn't be filled.

We've had the guts ripped out of the team plenty of times, this doesn't feel anything like that to me.

 

I’m not bothered who we sell.

It’s not going to be like the Cryne era - as indications are that we will get the right money for our players i.e. we won’t be giving them away anymore.
Plus players will not be sold because we need the money.
So I’m not bothered who we sell.

We’ve got to have faith in Strendel - let’s see what he can do.
He’s changing the system of how we play.
If the current players cannot adapt to that system they will be moved on and others brought in.

 

We need to change the mentality of our club in respect to being a small club that let our players go for well under there transfer value. Last summer we brought In over 9 or 10 players to replace the quality players we lost in the 16/17 season which I believe cost us a chance of reaching the play offs that season and, ultimately, got us relegated last season. I believe the players we have have more than enough to cope at this level: Moore and Bradshaw playing together could be a lethal combination in this league and letting them go could be a disaster to us getting promoted. All we need are two or three additions to bolster the squad in terms of morale and depth. I believe in Stendel’s philosophy of play which looks similar to that which we witnessed under Heckingbottom which wasn’t consistent enough. Still have some reservations about Stendel as another risky appointment but time will tell.

 

How have the rumours been confirmed? Have I missed something here?

 

There are reports given by various sources to the Barnsley Chronicle and BBC radio Sheffield confirming interest from clubs for our players. I suppose we can only understand the true extent of information if the players are actually sold or whether we manage to keep them. It’ll be a huge summer to demonstrate our football capabilities on the pitch and to understand more about our new owners vision to become a club that will, eventually, push for promotion to the premier league. We need to get out of league one first which will be a huge achievement if these players can reward the fans for a poor campaign last season.

 

Its a long post

Who in their right mind would by potts

 

I wasn’t a huge Potts fan last year. However, he did impress with some of his attaching play last year when he was allowed to play behind the attackers rather than playing in a formation which didn’t suit his ability. And he did make the jump up two leagues last year from league two to championship so he can only get better this year in league one with the experience he now has.

 

STENDEL. His name is Daniel Stendel.

 

Just a misplaced typo that’s all. Born 4th of April 1974 in Frankfurt. Coached Hannover under 19s before becoming head coach in 2016. Couldn’t keep them up and was sacked the following March. All aboard the STENDEL train!!

 

"Set to leave" what a twist.

 

How can rumours of players leaving be more than true? Are they leaving us twice?
Also when we're they confirmed to be leaving? Newsbot has missed the boat on that one

 

His name is Robert Paulson

 

I wish I could give a precise date/time and location when each player may or may not leave the club. Rumours are believe to be more than true that players are to leave when bids are being received to the Oakwell hierarchy for the likes of Potts, Bradshaw and Moore were they to leave. The undeniable point of the post is that we need to keep our key players to show intent of our desire to progress and push on. The likes of Norwich, Bournemouth and Southampton were able to progress from league one to premiership successfully by keeping their team together and taking momentum from winning games and team spirit. That’s what we need and want for our club: to aspire to be more than what we are.

 

What does that mean?

 

That horse has bolted. The squad to keep together was the one that got promoted in 2016. We didn't and we've paid for that with relegation. Keeping a squad together for the sake of it, because other teams have been successful by doing so in the past, but without assessing the quality of that squad is folly. There's many people on here who argue we have got a quality squad. Maybe they're right, I hope so and we'll see, but personally I haven't seen a single scrap of evidence for that.

 

Club is receiving bids for the likes of Moore, Bradshaw, Potts etc. Indicates they are more than likely to leave.

 

I think we have to have faith in these players. They have a lot to prove but if they can’t perform then changes will need to be made. Although we lost a lot of games last year, I did see small signs that we could play really good football and could threaten teams with our play: when we beat a good attacking team like Brentford 2-0. Also, the players had to play formations that allowed most teams to walk all over us or catch us out on the break. Remember we were winning 1-0 against Bolton and playing with 4 upfront with last 10 minutes to go and went 2-1 down; just managing to scrape a late equaliser. Couldn’t score enough goals when we dominated games.

 

No it doesn't. It indicates they are wanted by other teams, and at this stage, no more than that.

 

Are you for real ? I do not know what you're ageda is but I do not think you are a red