I am disappointed to see managers and players come and go. Especially at the rate they have done so in recent years. This seems to be the new normal at Oakwell and same for many other clubs. So why the panic, and always focus worst case scenarios. Last season did better than most would have predicted. Lots of new faces including manager. Relative unknowns, and some old faces returning who stepped up. Before we kicked a ball last season I knew little about our man Duff. Then read several grumbles about signings like Norwood, Connell and Phillips. Norwood written off before they'd kicked a ball and others inexperienced... All three proved to be top performers. Priority, let's get managerial situation sorted. No doubt more players may leave, but new faces join the ranks. They may be better than what we had! Have some faith! #COYR
The betting seems to have settled on either Devaney, or Moore. I feel positive about either of those, but with a preference for Moore, but we need it sorted quickly, so we get the players in we need and get the squad together for the new season with its higher expectation this time round.
This is broadly how I feel. Duff is a sh*t for leaving because he tried the wool over our eyes about him being committed. Mads will be a loss but we can't turn down massive transfer profit when he will go into his final year. Hope we can keep Connell but if we get a chance to make 20x return on him in a year then it's a sound business decision. Broadly I'm excited to see players come back like moon and styles, even more excited by how last year's surprise packages like Phillips, Cadden kick on a bit. There's a player in Russell too and Cotter just need a pre season. Think the balance of the squad is OK, any revenue available should go to a prospect at CB and CF (I would imagine we have prospects now we are back to the spreadsheet). Also content that the board are committed to their investment, even if they won't get everything their own way. Bring in a coach and some backroom staff, win a game or two off the first 3 and it will all look rosy again.