BBS split

Just seen that,I must get a proof writer.

 

A proof reader even.

 

Rob Knowles is free...

 

The thought is better than the reality.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

Again I say 4 wins since February and only surviving cos Peterbro conceded an injury time loser while our goalkeeper was wandering round his penalty area in the Huddersfield sunshine.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

You can't use us staying up as a baton to hit him with. It's stupid.

We survived because we had promotion form over the last 4 months of the season.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

I like this 4 wins since February stat. Makes us sound like we were rubbish, which it's obviously intended to do. The real story is that in March, April and May of last season we played 13 league matches won 4, drew 6 and lost just 3 playing some absolutely superb football. Best I've seen for years. 18 points from those 13 games. Keep that form up over a season and you get 63 points. More than satisfactory.

It's not even as though the 4 wins claim is accurate. We've won 5: Brighton, Watford, Leicester, Hull and Huddersfield. Six if you include Scunny in the cup.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

I stand corrected on the numbers and i see where that equates to your conclusion but then expand that to include the 4 points from this seasons 8 games, where does that leave us? At a guess sunk without a trace.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

22 points from 21 games. Just below average.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

We've been crap this season, no doubt about it. But let's not try to change history and extend that poor form in to last season. We were bloody brilliant last season under Flitcroft and we should be recalling those games and that great feeling in our dying days, not trying to play it down a few months later because it helps justify our stance on getting rid of the manager. Our players and our manager worked so hard for our football club last season, for us really, for the fans, and I think we should show them some respect for that by remembering it for how good it was.

So we haven't been crap for months and months. We haven't been rubbish since February. We've had a poor start to the season, our manager has made some mistakes and the players aren't showing the same kind of form as last season, but it's been just 8 league games and in my mind that is far too early to even consider talking about the sack, never mind going through with it. Let's have a bit of patience and see what Flitcroft is made of. That doesn't mean he's above criticism, but I believe that criticism should stop a long way short of asking for his head.

In answer to your question, 22 points from our 21 league games since February. Not great, over a season that form would get you 48 points, so it's touch and go if that would keep you up, sometimes it would, sometimes not, but it's a hell of a lot better than 'sunk without a trace'.

In total, Flitcroft has been in charge for 29 league games. We've won 10, drawn 8 and lost 11. 38 points from 29 games. Over a season that will give you 60 points. That's not too shabby is it? He also took us to the quarter final of the FA Cup. It certainly doesn't read like the results of a manager who should be sacked to me.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

The most damming thing about all this is that he kept the ones he wanted from last season it seems he's been given carte blanche to "spend spend spend" on unfit players or developement squad players, and when that doesn't work out he has the bare faced cheek to go to the money men and demand more. Whether that meeting was scheduled or not Mr Fitcroft would have been made firmly aware to get on with what he's got and personally suffer the consequences of failure, had I been the Chairman, most would say "good job I'm not" I don't worry about that i've just never seen anybody go from so-called hero to zero in such a short time.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

IMHO he's making some mistakes; I don't think some of his team selections have been good enough and I don't think he should be asking for more players at this time. Actually, scrap that last point, I don't think we need more players. If I was the manager I'd probably be asking for more players too, you always think the next signing is the one that's going to make the difference, so I can't really criticise him for wanting to sign more.

But that hasn't turned him in to a zero in my eyes, nor has it made me want us to get rid. He's having a tough time of it at the moment but none of us know if that is going to continue. I think he's done enough in the past for this club to be given the chance to turn things around. I still think he's capable of doing that, even if I'm not as confident as I once was. To be honest, even if Flicker had been average from the start, I think 8 league games in to a new season is far too early to sack any manager. But he wasn't average from the start, he was bloody great.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

Well said Jay. You usually talk sense.

I have two problems with Flicker at the moment, and I think these are fairly common given what's been said many times on here and in the 'real world' over the last few weeks:

1) Why change from a relatively successful way of playing to a 'getting battered' every week way of playing and not recognise that's what he's doing; and
2) Why keep picking the same out of form players, some of which he is playing out of position when he's no need to do it, when we have a big squad now of mostly fit players?

It's mental bordering on stubborn stupidity that's putting his job at risk.

I don't want him sacked, and he's unlucky that we've got 3 really hard games coming up (followed by a few more winnable ones - on paper at least) but I wish he would adopt some of the following: -

- Drop Dawson or at least stop playing him wide and get him back clogging in the centre of midfield;
- Drop Ethuhu (for Dawson) 'cos he's contributing sod all so far this season after looking like Ya Ya Toure at the end of last season;
- Bring a decent, experienced not too old keeper in or get off Luke Steele's back and bring an adequate back up keeper in for the bench;
- Drop Kennedy for Noble-Lazarus - and stop dropping Reuben every other week;
- Get Bobby back in the defence, either as a sweeper, centre half or at right back;
- Rest Wiseman for Bobby - he's fast, and improved a bit, but a poor 'defender' at this level;
- only pick M'Voto against Wednesday and don't let him do anything except head the ball - or just get shut 'cos he's a liability;
- Give Mellis a run in the team but not on the wing;
- Play wingers only on the wing; and
- get back to last seasons form, performances, up and at 'em, in their faces, fast flowing passing football in their half not ours.

That will do for now, bored of typing. You reds!!!!

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

Well he's not gone from hero to zero in my eyes. He's still a young manger who is learning his trade. I'll tell you what if we had got Butcher or O'Driscoll I'll wager we'd be playing Rotherham and United this season.

I think he earned a damn load of respect for the miraculous achievement of last season, it was akin to Danny's promotion because it felt more like a promotion than just avoiding relegation.

Also asking for more players. I think the squad is to large but I'd like to know what the budgeted wage bill is. At its height a couple of seasons ago it was about £8m (IIRC) Now I understand that inroads have been made into reducing the wage bill so lets say about £6m. Steve Parish the Palace Chairman said that their wage bill was about £11m and that was about the mid level for championship clubs. Maybe unfit players and development players are what fits into the wages model at the club.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

Agree with most of that. Like I said, I don't think Flicker should be above criticism and I don't think we should stop discussing what we think is wrong, but I just think it's way too early to think about firing him.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

I couldn't agree more.

I'd love to know how representative the opinions expressed on this board are compared with the total fan base.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

No one's talking about sacking him near where I sit. Plenty of pissed off fans at the performances, particularly as a lot of us were expecting better things this season, and plenty unhappy with his team selections, but no one is seriously saying he should be fired, even if they are offering a few choice words.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

Same where I sit in the ESL. I'd be surprised if the figure is above a few % of the fan base. I have no facts to base this upon it is just a gut feeling.

 

Re: It's always important to be seen as being knowledgable

i don't think many shouted for Hill to be sacked but he was

 

I am with Dyson on this

I cannot care less who is the manager, the chairman, the owner.... or any of the off field staff. I just wanna be able to cheer and grin and smile a little on match days. I am not like the tossers down the road in believing we have a God given right to whatever pipe dream those two "massives" seem to follow. I just want a team that is giving enjoyment and a earning respect for both themselves and the fans , but also the town this team represents. The folk of Barnsley are folk who work hard and play hard , they have never had a " Billy Big ******" attitude, and yes I AM totally proud to be from Yorkshire despite my career taking me away. Barnsley folk have ahumour they have wit like no other, but above all they have respect,pride and dignity for themselves and each other. The people who pull on a red shirt and cross the white line should get that in their heads ASAP and play accordingly. We do not expect "Europe in five years" to coin a phrase ... but we do expect blood and guts. Rant over.