Despite the poor football after 10 games we are doing better than usual-in the top third of seasons since the Premiership
Interesting! The problem is it's supposed to be part of the entertainment industry and I haven't been entertained since Duff left. Stopped going as a result unfortunately!
And this is the problem. Towards the end of Collins' time in charge I was seriously considering not renewing. There was no entertainment. I did renew and then I got my hopes up at the promise of front foot, attacking football. But the entertainment level is as bad if not worse. If it doesn't improve I won't renew again, there are better ways to spend my time and money.
These comments with knobs on... I love this Club, and I'd kill to see them storm the league whilst playing attractive football, the type that pundits and commentators lament about, it makes you feel proud to be associated with the Club. Unfortunately, for the past two years the entertainment value of following the Club is approaching zero. Win, lose or draw we never actually play particularly well. Frankly, it borders on a chore to watch us. I'd sooner see us have a right go at a side, attacking football, players beating men, quick passing triangles ON THE FLOOR, and us lose 4-3 or 3-2 than see us set up to hopefully nick a goal and defend (terribly) a solitary goal lead for 70/80 minutes. Forget football, and what it means to people. We're supposed to be entertained, and it's just so, so predictable and boring.
I’d be more than satisfied with a return to the label of “Battling Barnsley” for the foreseeable future. “Just like watching Brazil “ would obviously be better - but playing with a demonstrable fire in the belly would do for me right now.
Last year I was very bored from and including match 1 but I do not recall asking to sack the coach because there are many influencing factors with some that fans can never be totally aware of. This year I haven't been as bored but in the last few games I have seen a decline. The team seems to lack unity and positivity.
I know he's a blunt, but Chris Wilder got it spot on once when he said maximum effort is the minimum requirement of a footballer. He, nor I, doesn't buy into this "as long as they try it doesn't matter the result". With our core players it's obvious they don't even put effort in. Unless it's a case of Clarke not knowing their strengths and being dogmatic to the detriment of the team. Big Val struck gold with his group as he knew how to get the best out of them
Man management is important business, even more so these days with what is at stake. I always think results count the most of course, but it would be great to see this lot going the extra mile for Clarke, with effort and skill. Maybe he is wrong to be criticising them in public, and that means that they might not make the effort for him anymore. Like the players did in the Val season, while the footy was poor to watch sometimes. It was still amazing to see them showing what respect they had for the boss.
