I'm surprised to hear so many people upset at the prospect of them leaving. If replacements were brought in first, I wouldn't be unhappy to see either leave. Neither has consistently performed to the level required for this division. I want to see us stop in this division and I don't believe Richards and Hayes are the way to do that.
I would be very unhappy to see either Hayes or Richards depart from Oakwell, especially when we are in deep ***** like we are at the moment. It's all well bringing new players in, and we do need quality players. But will these players have the heart and guts to come into a new squad and expect us to shoot up the table with their presence. I very much doubt it. Hayes and richards know what we have to do , will new players coming into the squad have the passion that these two veterans have. That for me would be debatable, while i know that both these players have had their critics, loosing them at this stage in the season would be a foolish woe. If and when we get these two new players into to the club we can assess them all at the end of the season. I think by then we will be asking Richards and Hayes to sign new contracts, and every fan will praise them up to the hilt on how they helped us stay in the championship.
We need more than replacements. Richards is adept at holding and spreading the ball. But he is blunt at the sharp end. Hayes is the man with no position - he'll always be the square peg trying to fit in a round hole. Not a striker, not a winger, not a midfielder. Sod all this talk of a centre back. I don't think Reid's as bad as seems to be made out. Kay's our best player. Atkinson might be considered good enough cover. We need a bloke in the box to look like he might score if a cross etc. comes in. These types are somewhat expensive however, but I wish we'd put all our money, the whole kitty (plus Gordon's spare set of chompers) into attracting one, be he big and bold or small and crafty. If we'd had one at the season kick off, he'd not have been short on opportunity. And it's not too late. Yet.
Spot on Good post mate we have had enough chances to win enough games to stop up even if we have (as some think) a dodgy defence. Long term it's no good just stopping up so we will need to strengthen defence AND midfield but this season all we need is a few more goals just to survive.
