A few random thoughts on the current situation...

I have sat and read the criticism, optimism and pessimism with regards to the appointment of Mr Davey and the lack of transfer activity in recent weeks. The reason for this was because I did not attend the Wednesday game (my festive game whilst home for Christmas was Burnley) and I felt I could not pass comment following the shocking display against that outfit from S6. I did not have the right to vent my spleen because I did not have to suffer the pain of witnessing at first hand a 3-0 home defeat by that lot.

Now that the dust has settled a little and we have finally made a few signings I feel like posting. I am not defending the man but I recognise that in Gordon Sheppard we haven’t got a Chairman who is the best in the game in terms of public relations skills, marketing ability, statistics (!) and from his recent replies to certain letters, isn’t the best in class in terms of customer service skills either. Sheppard though like you and I, is a passionate Barnsley fan and shoots from the hip when he is criticised about not wanting the best for the club. He has the best interests of the club at heart and probably suffered the same as we did during the dark days of administration and the possibility of the club going out of business. He was brought in as Chairman to steady the ship financially, to try and reduce the burden of our debt and move the club forward. From what I can make out he has done just that. He got rid of the players’ and fans’ favourites in Ritchie and Holden, which cannot have been an easy decision but seems to have made the right one as we could not have continued in that vein for much longer.

Now there are some strange views on here and some very sensible ones but one thing is for certain we all care very passionately about Barnsley Football Club and I assume we all agree that Robbie Williams isn't a midfielder! Hell we should've sent Williams to Port Vale with Richards. That would have made the headlines, “Robbie Williams signs for Port Vale!”. Here are my thoughts whether you agree or disagree, whether you consider them strange or sensible but they are my opinions and the best thing about opinions, everyone can have different ones!

In Davey, Sheppard has gone for an untried football manager but seemingly a very highly qualified football coach. He probably has the hunger and desire that the tried and tested ‘experienced’ managers don’t have and he will undoubtedly be a hell of a lot cheaper. He seems to have some decent contacts in the game and has conducted himself extremely professionally in the media. At first look, a prudent move by Sheppard and I’m personally willing to overlook silly decisions like playing RW in midfield and give the guy the benefit of the doubt until at least the end of the season. He has now brought in his own signings and will undoubtedly be judged on the success of these signings whether we stay up or disappear back into that pub league. Sheppard has given him a chance and love him or loathe him we have to get behind Davey, as he’s the manager of the club we love.

We have signed, in Constantine, a player who knows where the goal is, albeit in League One. In Eckersley, a promising Manchester United full back (remember what happened when we last brought in a promising full back from the same club!). In Mattis, a box to box midfielder who has shown much promise, albeit in League Two and we now have some experienced cover for our first choice keeper.

Now none of these signings could be called box office or proven Championship quality and we probably still need an experienced centre half and/or experienced holding midfielder, but funds to bring in players of that standard and pay their silly wages we don’t have. Gone are the days where we can sell one player (e.g. Agnew or Tiler) and have the cash available to sign a couple of players from the same level. We are Barnsley and as our average gate shows we are not on level terms financially with half the teams in this division. We have to fight for every point and manage every penny to ensure we are successful and success this season means finishing 4th from bottom.

For some reason I felt as though Coulson's goal at Southend was the turning point in our season, at last a bit of never say die attitude. Something we will need in abundance as the rest of the season is going to be very difficult. These new players will take time to gel with the rest of the squad and we are in the midst of a relegation battle. Our patience as fans will be tested from here to the Hawthorns on the 6th of May.

So East Stand, West Stand and the Ponty End (and the distant fans amongst us) lets get behind ‘em all the way. Whatever happens we’ll support you evermore because Barnsley we love you.

 

Hear, hear.nt nt

 

spotonski! nt

 

Good post mate

Can't fault that.

 

Cheers Gaz - let's hope Coulson's goal really was the turning point! nt