2002-03 vs 2024-25

Morais and Schopp were tinkerers. Didn't matter how the team did, they were making changes. Morais and his ruddy full backs were the zenith.

Clarke for me is searching for answers. He knows the team has more ability than the results they're getting, so he's tweaking often to see if he can find a magic blend. I think he's beginning to realise there isn't one, hence the changes are getting less frequent. But he can't resist the urge to change something to convince himself and everyone else that it can make a difference.

It can't. Whatever combinations he puts out, the players need to play at a level they're capable of, otherwise he'll be looking for yet another change. We're underperforming because too many of them aren't hitting the levels they're capable of, often enough. That's it.

 

Griff (Rhys) Jones. We've enough jokers playing up front for us these days

 

Strap yourself in mate…

 

On that 2001 to 2004 period, I do have some fairly fond memories of 2003-04. It felt like things were improving off the pitch (although in hindsight the whole Kenny Moyes/Sean Lewis thing seems very surreal) and we had finally moved on some of the players who were so horrible to watch.

It was good to see a youngish side with Gudjon and some academy lads getting their chance for whom playing for Barnsley meant something. Austin, Kay, Williams, Fallon. Gorre was sensational at times and worth paying to watch that first half of the season. We began to sign players of the quality we wanted to see, like Jacob Burns, David Murphy and Nardiello.

Saying that, we still had to endure Lee Crooks, Garry Monk and Brian O'Callaghan being played in central midfield. More than one of them at times if I remember rightly.

But for sure, by May 2004, things felt how they should again and an ocean different to May 2003.

 

Of the 2 who got/get the most stick from the crowd, Fallon then and Cosgrove now, Fallon was better.