Thinking back to that game in 2002, the last home game of the season and just how far we have come since. After all the success we'd had at the end of the decade, I'll never forget how awful we were in that game. We were a million miles behind Norwich that day, with some of the worst players ever to wear a Barnsley shirt. Richard Naylor ffs. Finishing a point behind Rotherham. Two behind Wednesday. Then everything that came after that, relegation, admin, Doyle, Ridsdale. Patrick. We're still a million miles behind Norwich, but for us to get back to where we are after all this time, going into that game against them this year with playoffs guaranteed is a fantastic achievement. I'm so proud of this club.
After what the club achieved between 1995 and 2000. I think Cryne did great taking over the club in the sense that he saved it. However, I don't think that I took to this reluctant custodian spending what he had to when we'd been so near to the Premier League in 2000. Just my opinion. I feel the club stagnated under him. That said if it hadn't been for him the books wouldn't have been so rosy and these owners wouldn't have been attracted to us. It's trials and tribulations I suppose. Fact is the club is moving forward after a very long time and that can only be applauded.
I agree with your post & we are like you say moving forward , is it not time for some of the owners harshest critics to admit that they are starting to get things right & deserve some plaudits ? I think despite mistakes being made they are progressing the club & surely that is what we all want long term .
Balancing the books was most important at that time, huge uncertainty as to if we'd even have a club.
Couldn't ask for a better game to practise for an upcoming play-off game vs Brentford or Bournemouth.
It would be nice to go to an established Championship Club like Preston and come away with something too. I know they haven't had a great season but I think they're a good yardstick.
