Our none-league 'Donkey' defenders

Lopata and in particular Shepard had great games. Considering the jumps they've made.

2 clean sheets in 2 games, both away from home. New system, new team, new everything for them both and they've slotted in beautifully. Yes, obviously there is room for improvement, same with every other footballer.

But considering where they've arrived from, done fantastic. I really think some fans should change their tactics around new signings, and probably not insult them before they kick a ball. Very happy with these 2, lots of potential

Coyr

 

Apologies- just seen the other thread regarding centre halves after finishing typing out

 

I agree , give em a chance to show what they have .

 

Has anyone called them donkeys?

I think they can all play but I do worry that they haven’t got any experience or leadership amongst them - Williams will have to stay back there for the foreseeable I reckon.

I do think the better sides will get at them. Hopefully our quality attacking will get us through.

 

We looked very vulnerable at the back throughout lacking understanding and cohesion which isn’t surprising given the limited time they’ve had together. Shepherd once again impressed

 

https://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/s...ne-and-replaced-by-non-league-donkeys.324670/

 

They've stepped up well,like other posters have said they are still learning.Higher quality teams will catch them out.Pilate needs an extra half yard of pace but reads the game well.I'd say from what I've seen Shepherd is the other way round but fair play lads 7/10 so far.Well done

 

Shepherd looks good too

 

More games they play will get them up to speed,then we've got experienced players waiting in the wings.

 

Please, let's not give the moaners oxygen. 3 points and crack on..

 

No. lets not appreciate that people have differing opinions, lets accuse them of wishing the club to fail. lets say they are just waiting to say I told you so... or lets understand that some people have opinions and concerns and should feel free to voice them while still supporting the club they love (in many cases for decades) ...or we could just form two camps Moaners/ Happy clappers and continue to snipe at each other dependant on the result..
Well done today BFC. keep it up

 

It’s early days, but the signs are promising, let’s see how they fare against better opposition (with 11 men) week in week out. It’s a long old season.

 

The defence is still a concern for me as a unit, fair play today they did what was required, Roberts kept it a clean sheet against a side yet to score in the League. Tougher tests ahead.

 

So one person then?

 

No, as others on the thread were happy to agree with him.

 

Definitely not donkeys but they are inexperienced at this level. Time will tell but we don't like making things easy for ourselves sometimes! Really pleased for Jack Shepherd in particular, the stuff of dreams!

 

I'd be 100% behind this, bud. I just put myself in the shoes of a young lad, who's worked his way up to play for (by their standards) a big club in league one, who thinks to himself, I can't wait to pull on the shirt, work so hard to impress the fans, give 110% extra to prove I deserve this shot, to prove I can play professionally, give everything to the team, manager & fans - yet as soon as they sign they just see a barrage of insults on here & twitter before they even have a chance.

It's tentative still, going well for them so far imo. They sometimes get caught out in position, but let's not forget, our 2 wing backs are so attacking and our CB's always need to be switched on, Cotter (iirc) lost every defensive 1 on 1 today, but that weighs against the pros of his going forward, which he's brilliant at. So whilst ever we're gaining from Cotter playing so up (as we currently are) it's worth risking his defensive frailties because Williams has his back defensively. Same on the other side, and that's the reason I was particularly impressed with Shepard, the amount of space left behind when Cadden goes forward is, well, a lot of space & Shepard did get beat a couple of times, but my word he certainly made up for it with 3 brilliant tackles in and around our own box.

My point of this post was let's just not insult lads who just arrive, it's not their fault we've lost Kitch, Mads, etc. They want to be here & prove themselves worthy of pulling on our beloved shirt. Mads got pelters every week and now we're all gutted he left from a Barnsley point of view (made up for him on a personal level playing in prem). I just hope the new lads don't pop on here/Twitter & read stuff before they've even had a chance.

 

Exactly my point, Helen. They are inexperienced. Just don't know why people have to throw insults into the mix. Surely we'd be better off trying to encourage and support them instead of instantly going on the offensive towards 'em?

 

Not getting ahead of myself considering since the Peterborough/Oxford game we’ve played against a good team with 10 men and a relegation favourite who are yet to score a goal this season. We need a comfortable first three names on team sheet like we had with Thomas/Anderson /kitchen, but at this moment in time nobody knows what the best three partnership is

 

Yep - it's that cliche of taking it 1 game at a time. But I can't deny I have been impressed with both Lopata & Shepard.