We support Barnsley F.C and the 11 plus subs out out on a match day. To say we can't win a game because Russell will be playing instead of Connell or even the tea lady goes too far for me. We can all have our misgivings about selection, tactics and subs etc but Jonny Russell is a professional footballer. A little respect wouldn't go amiss.
Russell started at Oxford and was my MotM and we won. He was dire next game mind. In any case I’d expect Grant to start on Tuesday
Fair enough. What's rattled my cage is the Connell hero worship to be honest. I rate the lad highly but we aren't dependant on him.
He's only played 11 games so we are not totally dependent on him. But he is the one who for me can spur the others on. Nothing seems to phase him. Most valuable player at the club. Obviously not in the scoring stakes. But our biggest asset. Imo.
While I don't disagree, I don't think he's done much this season. Imho we are where we are in the table because Kane has stepped up, Cole has become a proper goal poacher and Collins has managed the limited resources he has excellently.
I edited jay re goalscoring as Cole for me has been our top player this season overall. (Irrespective of goals scored) I've allus supported him when he was getting unfair comments on here especially when he had little or no support on the frontline in previous seasons. Folk expecting him to chase down lost causes. And abuse totally unwarranted. And as you say Collins has done well with the squad given to him and they are starting to gel. (Even though some performances belied some of the results.) The outlook is better than we imagined at the start of the season.
Of course we can win without Luca. But - he’s our best player. By a street. Jon Russell had a great game at Oxford but backed it up with a diabolical performance against Exeter. As bad as he’s ever been pretty much. And there are a few contenders for that prize. I’d expect Grant to play at Shrewsbury. If it’s Russell then fine. We can still get a result. But we are weaker without Luca and that decision today, which looking on videos looks pathetic as he’s clearly allowing them to waste time at will - though I wasn’t there to judge properly today - might be costly. I hope not. But we are without a player who was booked for what in fairness was a petulant overreaction, but one that would never happen if the referee could competently control the antics of the opposition. From what I read he couldn’t competently differentiate between his arse and his elbow for the last ten minutes today.
I dont think I've seen a ref totally lose the plot since McNally. v Cardiff. in the last 10 minutes as he did today.
Like you say we've got some great players and Collins has done well but for balance I do think our team is better than most in this division and wouldn't call it limited resources. We are where we probably should be in my opinion and things look to be gelling nicely for the run in.
Not sure we can claim limited resources. Herbie Kane cost more than the entire squads of half the division. Josh Benson and Herbie Kane together probably more than 3/4 of the league between them.