I'm really looking forward

To seeing McCourt & Jennings playing for us. It won't bother me if not everything they try doesn't come off. Hopefully, they'll continue to be encouraged to express themselves on the ball.
I've always had a soft spot for flair players, players capable of creating something out of nothing, whether that be through dribbling past opponents, or having the vision to open up a defence with a pass. That doesn't mean I can't appreciate the contributions of other players with different strengths, though. The one who covers every blade of grass on the pitch, wins tackles, closes down the opposition.
But, for me, I enjoy the more imaginative, skilful players. The ones who create a feeling of anticipation amongst the supporters every time they're on the ball. Over the years during my time as a fan at different levels of the league, we've been blessed with a number of these players at Oakwell. The likes of Stewart Barraclough, Les Lea, Ally Millar, Bobby Doyle, David Currie, Martin Bullock, Clint Marcelle, Craig Hignett, Dean Gorre, Steve McPhail, Brian Howard, Adam Hammill, Jacob Butterfield, Jacob Mellis and the greatest player I've ever seen play for Barnsley, Ronnie Glavin.

 

Good questions, mate

I'm hoping we can get our creative players on the ball more and in areas that will cause problems for the opposition. Hopefully, that will also lead to a better supply of chances for our strikers.

 

Bit disappointed in you, Kev.

No Kevin Donovan or Mitch Ward on your list.


Agree with your post entirely. But then, I always do, even when tha chastising me.

You Reds.

 

Get thissen to bed, young Andy

Tha obviously tired, 'cos tha rambling, mate! Tha nivver agrees wi' me!

 

He's probably signed these players in response to people who carp on about Dawson and Perkins running about all day, but having no flair. Of course these same posters will soon be moaning that Jennings and McCourt are idle and won't put a shift in...

 

You definitely need to strike the best balance

The two you mention are, for me, the best choice for providing that balance.

 

Re: Get thissen to bed, young Andy

I'm ready to hit them wooden stairs, don't you fret. Longest shift of my life, then delays to both trains. Would usually have me cursing everybody and everything. But I'm off until Sunday and so as Arabian Ian might say "ar cudnae care less"

 

Hopefully they'll bring the imagination that we've severely lacked in the final third thus far. Relying on O'Grady to hold the ball up and play people in isn't going to work too often. We need someone to beat a man and pick out pass to create a good goal scoring opportunity.

 

Re: Get thissen to bed, young Andy

You sounded just like him, mate. Honest(!)

 

Re: You definitely need to strike the best balance

Once a player gets selected, it's up to him to make the most of his opportunity and perform, as there's going to be alternatives waiting to make their mark, on the sidelines. That's not always been the case down at Oakwell.

 

Re: You definitely need to strike the best balance

Never known as much competition for a place in barnsley side for years, could field two decent sides now , hopefully we can keep players on there toes to keep there place in team, and to keep the others happy who arnt in side

 

Dead right mate.

Glav was without doubt the best we've ever had but one of the best individual performances I can remember was the David Currie in the 3-3 FA Cup match at Stoke (89/90). Followed closely by Stuart Barrowclough in the 4-2 win at Rotherham (81/2) and a mention for Ian Banks in the same game.

 

Re: You definitely need to strike the best balance

Watching Jennings for the U21s, he's miles off Championship form I'm sad to say. It really would appear the Bayern experience was a setback. Had that been a competitive match, there's a good chance he would have been sent off in again. The real star in that game was RNL. I hope Dale comes good though, I was really hoping Robins would have pinched him before Bayern moved in.

 

I think Jennings will prove to be an excellent signing

And am patient enough to let him find his feet & the fitness levels required for Championship football.

 

I'm sure that you can remember the league game at Old Trafford in our Premiership Season. They beat us 7-0 although I'm sure we had just as much ball as them. There were many lessons to be learned from that game, but the player who stood out for me was not Paul Scholes, who ran the middle of the park, or Andy Cole who scored three times. It was Ryan Giggs, and not because of the goal he scored from 20 yards with his right foot.

In the second half, Barnsley managed an overlap which looked dangerous. It looked for a moment that we might break through. Even though Man U were well clear at that point, Giggs recognised the danger and ran back at full speed for 50 yards in order to win the ball cleanly with a sliding tackle from behind. Why did I remember this above all? Well, at the time, Giggs was in his pomp. His skill was indisputable, as witnessed by his goal, a run from well in his own half. We pushed him onto his right foot as he neared the goal, but he still left our keeper with no chance. In spite of all his skill, he was still prepared to do the hard yards off the ball. I resolved, then and there, that having ability on the ball should never be an excuse for lack of effort or concentration when the team does not have the ball. When a goal is conceded, the fans often look for the nearest defender to the scorer, and hold him responsible. Often the error occurred much earlier in the move, and was the result of a player not tracking back with a runner, or failing to put pressure on a passer who then has all the time he needs to find a forward with a perfect pass which has the ideal weight and direction.

I enjoyed Ronnie Glavin as much as anyone, but I also remember Mick McCarthy turning to look up field after we had conceded, and pointing the finger accusingly at Ronnie Glavin. That is why my favourite Barnsley player is Redfern rather than Glavin, because he scored goals, but his work rate could never be faulted.

 

I said in my opening post, I appreciate the contribution of those players who do the donkey work, if you will, which allows the more creative players to bring their talents to the fore. I would never belittle the contributions of one Barnsley legend to point score with another. Your favourite Barnsley player is Neil Redfearn, which is fair enough. Mine is Ronnie Glavin, who (in my opinion) is the best and most skilful player I've ever seen play for Barnsley. However, I refuse to denegrate the major parts played by other Barnsley greats.
I simply love watching creative players who are capable of doing something different with the ball, players who excite & entertain the crowd, players who cause problems and damage to the opposition, players who worry rival fans when they have possession.