Another Center Mid and Center Back?

Some will support no matter what.
Die Hards
If the football is dross and results are poor, the other fans, such as myself ,will refuse to waste their money by attending.

 

The reason that a number of these players are signed only on one month loan deals was explained by Ben in his interview at the time. As they are youth loans they can be extended month on month outside the window. Teams are far more reluctant these days to loan players out for 3 or 6 months at a time just in case they aren't getting a game at their respective loan clubs.

From the short viewing of Lalkovic at the weekend I'd be surprised if he was here next season, he looked a class above and is apparently unfit at the moment. It was also mentioned today that Waring is a good 'stop gap' until we can bring in the experienced player we want in that position (don't be surprised if it's Tom Pope in the summer). No-one can tell me we weren't looking very light up top with Winnall out and Cole going back.

To be honest and I've said this a few times I think bringing Danny back was a mistake. Some of the spineless performances this season have shown that at times my scepticism was slightly valid. That being said, he's winning me over massively by giving the likes of Bree, Holgate and Smith a good run and bringing in some really good lower league youngsters. We can't claim that Hourihane, Winnall and Berry haven't been a success can we? I'm hoping the newest addition can be the battler we've sorely lacked, as there is absolutely no chance we'll keep Pearson long term, he's some prospect him by the way.

 

We've got three short term loans. We're hardly taking the piss are we?

As for signing players for positions we've already got lots of players in, I don't see it like that.

We've now got six central midfielders. Pearson (not ours) and the new lad Scowen seem to be the terriers, the holding players. I'm led to believe both are no mugs on and with the ball either (Pearson looked decent on debut to me). Bailey and Digby are what I'd consider to be more like genuine central midfielders who like to start moves, technically gifted. Then in Hourihane and I reckon Berry - if given that chance - we've two more offensive minded midfielders who can operate a tad wider if necessary. As it stands, none of these lads (ignoring Pearson) are short term. They're contracted here for another couple of years at least. None of them are knocking on, they've development in them, resale value etc.

I don't consider that as too many central midfielders, not when in most games we've used three central midfielders.

In defence, we're light at left back. I'd definitely like to see another one come in. However, we shouldn't sign any old left back just because. On the other side, I'm pretty satisfied with what I've seen of Holgate and Williams so far. We've Bree and Towner coming through too. In the centre, in Nyatanga, Ramage, Cranie, Holgate, M'Voto and Cowgill we're well stocked. Reece Brown can play right back, left back and centre half, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him and Cranie depart if the chance arises. For differing reasons.

We've a good keeper of some experience, and a decent one as understudy who is relatively new to all this. And Dibble is getting rave reviews at Nuneaton.

In Winnall, Lita, Phenix, Oates, Lalkovic, Kiwomya, Waring and Hemmings, we've plenty of options up top. I would not be surprised if one or two were to depart in this window though, Oates I feel will depart on loan again to aid his development. And I'm not sure either Hemmings or Lita are in Danny's plans long term. Plenty of different assets there though, we can now change things up in games. But again, a couple of those lads aren't ours and are low risk, short term additions until such a time as Danny finds lads he can add permanently. For all we know, we might take both of them next season, loan or otherwise.

The only area that looks a tad light now after left back is out wide. Jennings is our only true winger. But Lalkovic, Kiwomya and Phenix are comfortable there by all accounts.


I'm not overly enthused by all I've seen this term, but I am satisfied with our progress at this stage. That doesn't mean I've had my expectations lowered or removed entirely. That doesn't mean I'm just 'happy to be here' or an happy clapper. I am merely being a supporter as always. I've endured some right gash the last couple of years, I've been angry, resentful and felt the club I loved was miles apart from what I used to believe it stood for.
This season, I've had little of that nonsense to get stressed over. I can see the strategy, the plan, it was well spoken about in the summer by Danny himself. He told us what he wanted to do, he told us it wouldn't come together overnight. But he also told us he knew what we as supporters wanted. And the majority on this forum wanted young and enthusiastic players representing BFC. To clear out the deadwood. To see exciting football, more goals and to beat the Blunts/Rochdale etc.

I think - half a season gone - we're a handful of points behind the hoped for target.

But this is it. We've half a season left.


Look at this photo. If you can't see the progress, feel the pride and excitement in what is happening down at Oakwell right now then I really don;t know what it is you're 'expecting' as a Barnsley supporter. Unless you just love to be negative for the sake of it.












You Reds, etc.

 

I think that we have been down this road before. Why can you not link lower revenue through the gates at home games with lower pay budgets and inferior players. Especially with the FFP rules in this league, one follows the other just as New Year is sure to follow Christmas. If you are a supporter, you support because you know this simple fact to be true. Of course we need to encourage the casuals to attend by improving results during the rest of this season, but if you really are a casual, if you really do not care with a passion, what the hell are you doing posting so regularly on here.

 

If that post is aimed at me, then you'll not get a more passionate fan than me. I will go and follow the Reds home and away, I have done for Many years,but the club has ambled on now lowering it's expectations for too many years.
I hope that this year the product improves to entice people to re attend because at the moment what I've witnessed this season apart from one game I attended has been awful

 

We're signing Falcao? Boo. He's rubbish.