I'd suggest it's not benefitting us though where Duff's concerned. I don't think it benefitted us when Val left either, taking Mowatt and pretty much the whole backroom staff. 2m to be replaced with Schopp and then Asbhagi and an almighty slump to League 1. As for 'you don't put someone who doesn't want to be here in charge of the success of the business', Duff signed a contract less than 12 months ago and was coming out with many positives for the future around 'the project' and not being fly by night and being in it for the long run - I would and did trust him with the success of the business - I wouldn't expect him to go on gardening leave after less than 12 months and sulk; i'd expect him to at least see out 2 of the 3 years of his contract after everything he said. Khaled really wanted Duff, yet here we are, about to get another few quid for him to move on, and no doubt the exodus will begin. I'm glass half-full though, we'll be reight
Also, I don't get this "closer to home" thing. They never say that when they sign for Man Utd for instance
In my book there only two ways to judge a person. By their words and by their actions. Barnsley fans are fully justified in holding Duff accountable to his words upon joining the club, during his tenure and in his Wembley notes (stated elsewhere in this thread). With that in mind, if Duff is in talks with another club and chooses to go, then he's as disingenuous as every other 'mercenary' player or coach that has used our club over the years. I'm sure he's a very good and honourable man in his private life, but when it comes to Barnsley FC I can only judge him by his words and how his actions align with those words. We shall see what transpires over the coming days.
I for one would be surprised if this actually happens. Swansea seem to have a number of candidates for the job, of whom one is Duff, but only by their own press issue. There does not seem even to be any clear indication that they have been given permission by BFC to talk to him, which they would need, as he is under contract to us for another two years. Duff has stated that everything is geared towards another push for promotion next season, so i have my doubts about this, but also my fears. Swansea owe us after the debacle over McBurnie's non-transfer, but their press practices seem a bit 'loose cannon.' Let's hope they settle for one of the other names linked with them. I am not saying Duff is not replaceable, but he has done a good job with us, which has not yet been completed and hasn't yet borne the full promised fruit of promotion. COYR
You're only quoting recent history. In my mind they're a 3rd or 4th tier team who've done well in the last 10 years or so. Like Bournemouth, Brentford and Wigan, I think they'll go back to this level eventually. They were founded the same year as we won the FA Cup and struggled in the 4th Division right up to the time John Toshack took them up the leagues to Divsion 1 but they came back down just as quickly and almost went into the conference not that long ago. No doubt they've done well in the last 10 years but is that when history started or do you look at them from the year they were founded?
The fact the club haven’t nipped it in the bud and given us a statement to reassure us he’s staying kinda tells me he’s probably going
No but a bloke in Swansea knows someone who knows someone else and he says it's happening. Yes, that's how the 'news' actually broke.
Aside of their PL stint their attendance is no better than ours really, which given location and population was a surprise to me. I would also add if we had the same time in PL our attendance would have been on. The only thing they have on us as a club overall is the stadium is in better condition.
The lack of any comms from the Club has been poor for me. IMO fans should have been given an update today, one way or the other. The silence is deafening.
But some bloke on twitter has said its a done deal? And Dragon's mate on Facebook has said the same. So what more can the club tell us?
Duff himself was quick to quash the Huddersfield rumour before it got much traction, been deafening silence on this one and it’s got more traction than a challenger tank.