I can think of a few but they were all older and more experienced, can't think of anyone as good as Daryl at the age of 20. The world's his oyster...
Not sure but he's got 9 is it since he joined at the end of January? So roughly the same time frame as Ashley Ward's 15 that I mentioned, but Ward was also part of a team that could tonk Huddersfield 7-0 because his all round play was so impactful and he made as big an impact in terms of affecting our season but a division higher against the elite. Let's call a spade a spade here. Saying Dike is better than Ward right now is off the charts mental. Saying Dike has got so much potential he'll go on to be far better than Ward is probably bang on the money.
A better comparison would be Clint Marcelle. Relatively unknown and has had a similar sort of impact that Clint did. If there's a really huge moment at the end of this rollercoaster ride were on, you can bet your bottom dollar it will come from him.
David Hirst. Was established at that age. But only 17 when he made his 1st appearance for us and oozed class. 9 goals from 28 games.
Hirsty without injuries (and possibly lifestyle) would have been head and shoulders above anyone else had he stayed.
I saw all these and loved everyone. Top Barnsley legends. Ashley Ward and David Hirst are the two which we can compare closest I think at this present time due to how they played and Dike isn't upto their standard yet but there is something special about this lad and I am excited to watch him every game. I hope we get to see him, Val and the rest of the team from the stands.
Tommy Taylor for definite, from what I’ve read. Ashley Ward for definite from what I’ve seen. Probably Big Trev as well.
What marks him out from Dike and others onwards from the era when I started watching (mid-60s) was Tommy left school at 15 and went to work at Wharncliffe Woodmoor pit. He was 18 when he made his Barnsley debut and had to juggle his Barnsley FC commitments with National Service in the Army. So much so that in his first season he'd only made 12 appearances and yet still managed to score 7 goals. My Mum said Tommy's funeral procession brought Barnsley to a stop. He truly was one of our own.
Carlton Morris and Cauley Woodrow are 2 straight off the bat. Until he came on, I thought we looked so much better with Woodrow and Morris on. They could control the ball. They could take men on and retain possession. Morris had a fantastic game and I'd favour starting him and Woodrow as a core partnership. Woodrow looks a much better player with a foil near him who can hold the ball. When Dike came on we started hitting it long again and we lost possession more. He's freakishly strong and quick if given the opportunity, but his technical abilities are far far weaker than his athletic abilities. And he's definitely got a gift of being in the right place. If he can add skill, technique, awareness and general quality with the ball to the existing attributes he undoubtedly has, then he has huge potential to make a career in the top flight with a middle of the road team. If not, he could end up being another Jozy Altidore.
I strongly disagree with you there. I think it didn't affect our performance one bit him coming on. If anything it added to it.