Like seemingly everyone in football, Hecky contradicted himself re incoming transfers and contracts, saying recruitment and contracts were nothing to do with him when it suited, whilst also claiming he was having to do all the recruitment and contracts and it was taking him away from the coaching side of things, when excusing the poor results. In football, I’ve generally presumed the truth to lie somewhere inbetween.
In January 2017 we sold 3 players who had 6 months left and all 4x their wages. Winnall forced a move, conor and Bree wanted out. What did people want? Wait and see if we go up when Fulham had beat us twice convincingly with our best team that season. Chances of play offs were slim. If we don't go up Watkins,Bree,winnall,conor and scowen all leave for nothing and then who do people blame? It's just unfortunate but as a barnsley head coach in the championship its one of those things that happens. He was backed the 2 windows after I love the sentiment towards him on here its heart warming but he wasn't the messiah some try make him out.
This is a little harsh, at the time he was being asked to almost run the entire club, I'm surprised they didn't put a paint brush in his hand and get him to work on the west Stand bogs. You could tell he was fed up with the burden he'd been shouldering, he probably did stop giving 100%, but that's a stock psychological response to overwhelm.
And yet within 18 months they sold him to us. It took him a few seasons to decide he wanted to knuckle down and resurrect his career.
My take on this fwiw. I sit in the lower west and had a good view of the dugout. Around what was a sh*t show of a transfer window we played wolves or Aston villa, can't remember which, should have beaten them easily pre Jan window but we're losing with minutes to go. I saw hecky turn round and stare at the spot where he'd said his grandad took him to oakwell, which was more or less where I was sat. Arms folded, body language said it all. Realised he was never going to get anywhere at oakwell higher than he'd took us that December (in truth.. neither was anybody else either). I'd have gone if I'd have been him as well. Gave us some ace football, two wembley wins, owes us nothing and glad for him he's got a crack at premier league.
On a serious note when did we go 17 games without a win? Was it late the season before? I can’t remember a run like that.
We went from 5 wins 5 draws 6 defeat before the Cardiff City game to no win until Sunderland away. Sorry it was 1 win in 17.
And he was a complete piss head when he signed for us and sat on the bench for Oxford during his loan spell in League One. Credit to him actually that he knuckled down and turned his career around. Still can't get my head around those who can't see the job Hecky did for us. Glad it's only the odd poster tbf and the majority have fond memories. Each to their own like, but still.
Didn't he? OK The way I understood it he was off, by signing the contract the club got much more money than they would have done had he not signed it. He got very little out of it.
I like Hecky. Good Barnsley lad. Did a great job getting us promoted. Anyone who doesn't look after their own interests in life gets trampled underfoot. No Led Zep video coming. Did a great job with that Sheffield Club too. What his motives were when he left us are now history. Get on with the new season & the ups & downs with Collins is my take.