FAB 11th February

Towards the back end of last year we got into a routine where I notified the BBS of future FAB Meetings and Agenda items.
We also introduced a Q&A process through which BBS Contributors posted questions on here which were then put to, and answered by the Club. This was not done for the December or January meetings.
That's my fault and I'm sorry.
A very busy family Christmas and New Year, followed by a January holiday got in the way.
So, in an attempt to kick-start the process, I'm just letting you know that the next FAB meeting is set for the above date next week.
The Agenda for next week has been cleared out and the meeting will be dedicated to the January Transfer Window, other than for an item on the Community Trust, involving an invited guest.
Mladen has been invited to the meeting and he has accepted our invitation.
We will now pick up questions previously asked on this Forum and take them to the meeting, together with the questions which have been raised within the FAB over the last few days.
If any of you have further questions please post them in this thread asap. This will then enable us to organise / group them appropriately.
We will look to expedite an agreed version of the minutes from the meeting.

 

Ask mladen what planet he on if he thinks that was good transfer window

 

Nothing from me other than a thank you to all involved. It’s important to maintain dialogue, even if the discussion doesn’t always lead to solutions that please all.

 

Can you ask him if in future we can recruit players to give the head coach options that don't revolve around 352, hyperthetically speaking what would happen if one transfer window we wanted wingbacks but all that was available didn't fit the budget or had poor stats, would we just sign sub standard players to carry on with the system.
Can we start to recruit the best players available and let the head coach choose the system he thinks will get the best out of those players, we've become predictable and easy to play against and plan against for opposing managers, whilst in turn narrowing down our recruitment pool e.g Quality player xyz is available but is a full back and not a wing back, or a winger and we don't operate with wingers.

Thanks

 

Why are we running a deficit of 8m a season and are their any plans to reduce this. It’s unsustainable especially without us progressing to the next level and then it would be swallowed up in additional wages anyway.

 

Whilst we all would like an insight into what happened during the window. I find it rather strange that. It's not in the remit of the FAB group. Or shouldn't be. (Fans advisory board it says it on the label)
So I'm guessing things that the Fab group was set up to do are now to one side. We were told the group would not be able to discuss football/player matters at the outset.
I'm pretty sure local media would have given time to that. Especially given Mladen apparently wouldn't speak to Radio Sheffield. Or Maybe a full page spread in the chron.
Imho this type of meeting is for the supporters trust to get involved in.
Not the FAB group. I say that as a member of the wider group.

 

Ask them why they keep breaking the law. I'm really starting to get pissed off with this because it shows an appalling attitude. It's not January transfer window but it's important and they are dodging it at every opportunity. I'll put it another way, I'm more than prepared to shop them to advertising standards agency. **** them the horrible ********.

On the transfer window, ask them why, if we are losing 8 million quid a year did they think the priority to strengthen in was the goalkeeper who had just picked up man of the match awards. Why has smith gone from us trying to get shut to "fighting for the number one place" overnight? That isn't strengthening the squad and it isn't saving money. It's wasting resources. Resources that could and should have been spent trying to score a few goals.

Ask them who sets our style of play and reliance on the 5-3-2 formation. Successive managers have all used it, we sign players who can only use it, we have devoted our entire club to it and it doesn't work. Who is responsible for that and do they accept responsibility for us now being the most one dimensional predictable club in English football?

Ask when the last time someone within the recruitment team has been sacked by Barnsley FC. We sack managers for underperforming so do we sack the recruitment team for providing those managers with the sub standard players with which he is forced to operate?

Ask them when they're going to uphold their part of the fab meetings because people like you turn up and ask questions and they stick 2 fingers up at you and at all of us by giving **** answers and doing absolutely **** all about anything.

 

It makes absolutely no sense. It's the club hiding behind people it thinks it can trust to relay questions in a nicey nicey way with wishy washy vague minutes uploaded a few months later for everyone else to read.

It's disrespectful to the wider fan based and insulting to the fab members being taken for a ride.

 

Only thing I will add on that matter. is, that it appears the FAB. Would have had to change the Agenda. I can't see The club volunteering such a discussion ? Given what was said at the early meetings. So begs the question, why. ? As I say, one for the supporters trust imo.

 

any update on travel and hotel deals for distance travelling fans, season / flexi tickets for next season

 

Does the club appreciate the inconvenience to fans of ever changing KO times regarding travel plans and expense?

 

The FAB have changed the Agenda.
Why?
Because we're looking to engage constructively with the Club on the issue of the January Transfer Window and the consternation it has caused within the fanbase.

 

Agreed. They always start things and then go off piste.

 

Can we ask why the club was willing to do an interview with Radio Sheffield about the transfer window when asked before the deadline and then only decided to change its decsion once contacted again following the end of it. Of course we all know why but i think its nice its documented and shows it cannot hide from oursite media questioning when its not performed the actions it said it would.

 

Personally, I think its mad that the Jan transfer window is on the agenda. It's an emotive topic, very sensitive considering how recent it is and recent results and will probably just be a waste of your time.

I'd stick to more objective topics that can be more consistent and measured imho tbqwy.

 

Assuming they went into day 1 of the transfer window with a plan, how does the end result of the deals done compare with that plan, in terms of both numbers and quality?

 

Putting aside team performances/results and that it looks extremely likely we will be in this league next season, will the board look at how season ticket prices can be attractive given that Sky TV commitments can and do make it difficult for fans to attend due to changed Kick Off days and times?

 

I'll pm you on my thoughts.

 

I've just seen the interview with Mladan and I believe Andy Giddings.
Whether he gave answers we wanted to hear or not he answered every question with an explanation.
Things like players targeted ,the Input from Clarke and also a nod to finances and the players going out on loan and why.
From what I've seen so far I like the look of Ferrugia,the goal keeper although not being over worked so far is of the stature Clarke wanted ,Dexter looked quick and lively when he came on and that leaves Rodrigues and even the most cynical supporter knows he needs more than a days training to show he can do the job Clarke wants of him.
Looking forward to Saturday when the team and club needs support not the demos which were fruitless when instigated by Mr Goddard and his merry men last time.

 

Can you ask Mladen when he will be submitting his resignation? Thanks.