.. Decided to come up with an XI from the best players since we returned to the Champ. I'll give reasons for my choices. So here goes.. 4-1-4-1 1. Steele - Always been an outstanding shot stopper, has gradually developed a commanding presence in the box, and his tactical game has improved greatly. Unlucky on the England front recently. 2. RB Stephen Foster - Mr Consistent. Intelligent and leads by example. My opinion is that he is best played in this position. He offered a deceptive threat going forward and was rarely beaten by opposition wingmen. 3. LB Jay McEveley - The best left back at Oakwell since we've been at this level. 4. CB Jason Shackell - Commanding, able captain and, at the time, Barnsley's Mr Composure. 5. CB Dennis Souza - Another cool head, apart from the odd mistake here and there, but he had good feet for a tall fella and was strong in the air. 6. CDM Bobby Hassell - The versatile Mr Barnsley. Since the shifts he put in from midfield during the FA Cup I've always hoped he'd get another shot at being the midfield general again. I think any team in this division would want someone like Bobby reinforcing their backline. 7. RWM Jamal Campbell-Ryce - Pace to burn and the entertainment value. Made the trip to the 'Well well worth it. But with us having had a dire man-manager in Davey running things, it was all going to end in tears for us and the little Lambeth-born winger. 8. CM Anderson (on his day!) - could have been the most inspired signing from Davey, but as much as he was quality on his day, he was just so gosh darn inconsistent. 9. CF Daniel Bogdanovic - 14 goals in a season. 10. CM Brian Howard - Yes I hate the man's money grabbing orange guts but there is no doubt that it will take something special to get this type of player again pretty soon. Jacob shows flashes, but he is just too inconsistent. Howard had creativity and a passionate will to win. 11. LWM Adam Hammill - Creativity by the bucketful and seemed to hold a game in the palm of his hand (Leeds). Wouldn't mind him back on loan. At least he'll be guaranteed a place.. Unlike in Wolves' reserve team. So there you have it! My team from the past 5 years. YOU REDS!!!
Sat here listening to my full collection of Led Zep through ear phones, full pelt, supping Johns Smooth, HEAVEN. ( time 5:06 )
I'm in the same boat, so ta for giving me something to do! GK - Muller. Agree that Steele has come on leaps and bounds, but it's only really this season he's found the consistency in his game to command the area and cut out the mistakes. Muller wasn't perfect either, but for the short time he was here I think he showed more quality than any other Barnsley goalie I've seen. DR - Sir Bobby. No question. DC - Shackell - the most dominant CB we've had in many years - shame he was here in a year that Fozzie had his worst season in a Reds shirt and so many injuries at the back, because I think in another team he could have led us defensivel. Wonder if he might look back at end of season and wonder why he moved. DC - After some deliberation considering Shotton (for potential), Moore (for experience) Souza (remembering a string of fine performances early on rather than the lapses), and McShane (quality, but not here long enough) I have to come back to Fozzie. On the whole (last year apart) he's been dependable and fought hard for the cause, and deserves respect for that. DL - difficult to pick one to be honest, they've all been crap! So, Carl Dickinson it is. MR - Hammill. Shame he left when he did, it would have done him and us the world of good to see what he could do over at least the rest of last season. Honourable mention to JCR too. MC - Anderson de Silva. Had SO much quality, but only rarely reached the levels he should have done. Started so well, and I wonder whether he might have maintained it had he not suffered the injury he did - seemed to lose a yard of pace after that. MC - Howard. No apologies from me - he was pure class in his spell with us, both creatively and in leading the goal threat when there rarely was any other. Butterfield has the potential to get there, but not sure he'll stick around long enough. ML - McIndoe. Quite the ****, but exceptionally skillful and a key driving force behind what was some quality football the first 6 months back, which I remember very foundly (esp. the Leeds win) CF - Ferenczi - by no means technically the best, but his goals saved us when we most needed a scorer, and his work rate was second to none. CF - Bogdanovic - relunctantly. Not so much because he left for the blunts, but because he was lazy as hell and often didn't turn up. But like you say a proper goalscorer. Was tempted to go for Harewood, but not here long enough. All in all, I think the team and process of picking it sums up what it's been like. Smatterings of quality, none of which ever really maintained high standards for the duration of their spell (Howard apart perhaps). Some players picked for sheer doggedness and hard work, which at times have made the difference between bottom3 and bottom 6. Crap left backs ensuring we've always had a weak spot, and a lack of genuine firepower to push us up the league.
Good team KFC I liked t'owd Stan, his passion, workrate and loyalty were second to none but unfortunately his goals return wasn't outstanding. Would still love him back even at his age. And McIndoe, well, I can't deny he had quality, and I did consider him. But I chose JCR for the fact that he was the showman and brought in the crowds. He made being at Oakwell exciting.
you sad fookers..........either go to the docs or watch a compilation of wendy games............that'll send you to sleep! hope this helps
3. LB Jay McEveley - The best left back at Oakwell since we've been at this level. ?? You need a good sleep - one of the worst full backs we,ve had - might make a midfielder but never a fullback..
Was going to take the p*ss and name the current lot.. But that would be daft.. . GK: Steele - Yes Muller was great, but Luke has been here longer, saved us many points, helped us to Wembley, and now IS the BEST keeper since Watson, and better than Dave on this seasons form.. . RB: Hassell - There is no debate. In my 23 years at the Well, he has now overtaken Eaden as best RB I have seen. Deserved better team-mates, which Nicky had. The fact is, we havent lost a league game this season with Sir Bob on the field.. . RCH: Foster - Had a difficult time of it last year, then another injury, and I thought we had seen the last of him as a key starter. But he has rolled back the years of late, and looks as solid as ever. Never the best distributor, or quickest center half, but his positioning, heart, love for the club, and aerial ability give him my vote. Legendary goal at Anfield helps! LCH: Shackell - Had to be really. Not been blessed in defence the last 6 years. Strong, great reader of the game, and a cracking knack for being in the right place. A leader, and an overall commanding prescence. Lack of pace a problem though, but gets away with it at this level. I still believe McNulty will prove a better player eventually, if the knobs get off his case, especially the oxygen thief behind me.. . LB: McEveley - Not picking loanees so who else could we pick? I think Jay on his day is decent. Great in the air, and when he bothers, has a great tackle in him. Very adept going forward, but the injuries have taken their toll, and pace has gone. Not picking him because he is great, but due to lack of options! We need a left-back in January IMO.. . RW: Devaney - Forget the latter part of his time ere, and remember the many good times! Disco on his day was unplayable at this level and a proper Tarn player, a grafter. Key in our survival and FA Cup run.. . CM: Howard - Do I need to explain? No. Best player since Merlin, and makes Butterfield look gash. Having a great impact at Millwall currently. A ******? Yep, probably. Top player? Definitely.. . CM: Perkins - Love him. Just wish Ritchie, Simple or Robins had fetched him years ago. Effective every time I watch him. Running on a full tank in the 93rd minute. Not given enough credit for his offensive work either. Underrated and the best Hillcroft signing.. . LW: Hammill - Self-explanatory. Pretty much the type of player that gets you in the upper echelons of this division, much like a Hoolahan, Snodgrass, Lallana etc. Quality.. . CF: Haynes - Again, not blessed with options ere, so gone with Danny thanks to his relegation party brace, and Donny double.. . CF: Ferenczi - Warrior, great in the air, perfect foil for Haynes. Should never have been replaced IMO. And, a top bloke off the field too. Scored vital goals, and better than Macken and Gray etc.. . And thats your lot!
Whitey, I like your choice of Stan, Disco and Perkins as ones that not everyone would pick, but I would!
GK MULLER LB DICKINSON RB SHOTTON CB MOORE CB SHACKELL LW MCINDOE RW HAMMILL DM PERKINS CM HOWARD CM BUTTERFIELD FC hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm perhaps Stan for his workrate Pretty obvious from the above posts that we have had a half decent ish defence, some quality midfielders and some absolute gash upfront.
GK-Muller-prior to his injury RB-Hassell CB-Moore CB-Shackell LB-Kozluk RM-Hammill CM-Howard CM-Perkins LM-Campbell-Ryce CF-Bogdanovic CF-Ferenczi Subs Steele Foster De Silva Devaney McCann Maken Not included loan players as i would rather select our signed players.
