DC so far

And a gilet.

Sometimes in combo.

 

I think I've criticised him twice. First time, following the league defeat at Huddersfield. And that wasn't so much related to him as a coach, but more about the stuff he allowed himself to say publicly post-match. But we're all human and it's not something he's otherwise done. The other occasion was after the Orient horror show. That was related to him as a coach. And his staff too to be honest. You don't play direct in those conditions. But they kept doing it anyway. They failed to notice obvious shortfalls at set plays. It was just a really bad performance, from all involved. But again, we're all human and you'll get off-days in whatever industry.

Other than that, I think I've constantly backed him. Quite often defended him. Because it was clear early doors that the type of football he was trying to get them to play was more in line with the desires of the fanbase. I loved Neill Collins as a bloke, but there were times last season where he could have got more from his team. But he was rigid in his playing style and it fell apart at the most crucial point of the season. Off camera he was as personable as Clarke is. But he didn't really show that on camera. I had a good couple of hours with Darrell the week before I left, and I knew the club had appointed the right character. Humble, honest, hardworking. Says it as he sees it. I wasn't sure if he was any good at coaching like, it was pre-season. But his record elsewhere was enough to give you a little optimism.

There are issues at BFC. Always have been, always will be. They only become most apparent when results are s*** though.

I'd give Darrell 9/10 so far. I expected play-offs at best. So somewhere between 6th and 12th. He's beating that after half a season. On par with the Duff/Collins seasons, surely? The football's better than last year. I think he's doing a very good job with what he's got at his disposal and ticked other boxes that Collins was criticised for. A few weeks ago I had him as 'par' scoring. Four wins on the spin, including victories over Bolton, Posh and Disney have elevated that and then some.

If there's a lack of patience from some, it's hard to knock them because last year the BFC board axed the coach after game 45, whilst in the top six. There's no loyalty in football. I expect that had we failed to win any of the last four matches, DC may have been given proof of that.

Long-winded, as ever.

Last Clarke in the dugout was alright wasn't he? And as @gooderzone pointed out on social media, they've started a calendar year with two league wins. First time since 2016. Only the second time since 1981. We were promoted on both occasions.

 

And extremely tight stretchy trousers

 

You're right. With the classic black Adidas boots.

12/10.

 

Our league position is better than I expected.

Our away form continues the trend of the last couple of seasons and is very good.

Our home form continues to not be so good.

Substitutions are sometimes baffling, occasionally downright wrong (Wrexham away FFS) but at least he's making changes to try and achieve something - whether that be minutes in legs, tactical or whatever.

Press conferences and interviews are better than Collins but maybe not as good as Duff.

A connection with the fans seems to be building, slowly but it's there.

Overall, more positives than negatives. If he achieves a play off place with an unbalanced, weaker than last season squad I'll be happy.

 

He's adapting - you can see it. He's learning and trying new things & his better players are getting better. He's been here 5 months - 5 months into a new job I'm still asking where the lavs are.

 

You’re right.

 

At the start of the season I was concerned by a lack of identity of how we were trying to play. The team looked unbalanced and lacking direction. We then had a 2 week gap for the international break and we came back a different team. Russell came into midfield and was superb and Gent all of a sudden looked a much better player. More importantly you could see what DC’s style was.

Since then, a dodgy few subs and a couple of bad performances aside I’ve been impressed, especially as I think the team is lacking in depth and quality in a few areas (especially up front).

All in all I’d give him a 7 out of 10 overall. 5/10 for the start and 9/10 for since the international break.

 

I agree with a few of the posters on the thread, 7/10.

 

Was going to say 7 originally, but an 8 actually. Purely because he's had to deal with more stuff than we actually notice, he's got us performing better at home after toxic atmospheres at Oakwell, he's slowly changing the players mentality at home, and even though sometimes its nervy and we naturally drop deep, things are improving. Clearly there's issues at Oakwell, our away form proves that and fingers crossed we are getting closer to solving it.

 

bummers

 

7 out of 10. Amended as I was too harsh on him.

 

A solid 6/10 which has the potential to increase by removing his authority to ever make any subs. Seems honest enough but needs to just pull the plug on his charity work of involving cosgrove.

 

With regards results and league position, undoubtedly overperforming. Subs wise, usually weakens us but at least, when his starting tactics are clearly not working, at least he is willing to change it promptly, rather than sit on his hands until 75th minute.
10 for league position. Loses a point for subs and a point for his dress sense. Managed to make @dreamboy3000 post the funniest thing he's posted in as long as I can remember so regains half for the assist.

8½/10 from me.

 

I hope he doesn,t read this board."he,s learning" he knows more about football than any of us will ever know.

 

I don't think it's disrespectful, personally. A medical student knows more about medicine than most will ever know but in their first job as a doctor they'll still be learning. The difference between a good and bad one lies with how well they learn, and how quickly.

 

Honestly not too impressed, I still believe it is him that wants us to defend a one goal lead, because I would think a players instinct is to score as many as possible

 

Over the years that is mainly what Barnsley have done under numerous managers, try to defend leads. Infuriating and frustrating correct get used to it.

 

Recent 3-0 and 3-1 wins, and going 2-0 up and looking like adding to it against Wrexham would suggest we're doing anything but.