From todays star August 2nd. Striker hunt put on hold MANAGER Andy Ritchie is ready to let Barnsley kick-off the season without experienced back-up to his front line. The hunt for a proven striker to put pressure on Marc Richards and PaulHayes has cooled off with Ritchie prepared to wait until the season isin full swing to land another centre forward. Daniel Nardiello is still recovering from a broken collar-bone butBarnsley have Tommy Wright waiting in the wings plus other youngprospects. Barnsley's last game of the pre-season last night brought a 2-1 defeatby Wigan. Ritchie started with his first choice team but introducedeight subs in the second half. Michael McIndoe scored direct from afreekick. Said Ritchie: "We probably do need a centre forward but Nathan Jarmancame on against Wigan and I thought he was excellent and young MichaelCoulson was impressive again and he can play up front. We do needsomeone but it is not as pressing as we once thought." Ritchie still wants another 'keeper despite offering young Welshprospect Kyle Letheren a contract. Barnsley will look at other keepersbut Ritchie said: "Sheffield United went all last season without agoalkeeper on the bench. If we got an injury we could bring somebody inon loan during the season." Former Rotherham United and Chesterfield keeper Mike Pollitt had a painful and embarrassing return to the region last night. In the warm-up to the Oakwell friendly he crashed into the post,sustaining a one inch cut on his face that needed three stitches. Pollitt missed the kick-off but made his way to the bench during the first half. Barnsley collected three minor injuries. "Paul Reid has hurt his hand, it was quite sore at half-time, westrapped it up. I think he'll be okay, it will ease off," Ritchieexplained. "Brian Howard got a little bit of a kick on his foot, whichis a little bit sore. Marc Richards was feeling his hip just a touch.Other than that I think we're okay. Republic of Ireland Under-21 right-wing Willo Flood is poised to make his debut for Cardiff at Oakwell on Saturday. The tough-tackling Dubliner scored for Manchester City in his last gameagainst Barnsley the season before last in a 7-1 League Cup rout. Cardiff, who continue to chase Jason Koumas, are also keen to add a new striker to their squad. Sheffield United's Geoff Horsfield was the latest name to be linkedwith Cardiff but the Barnsley-born centre forward has also been linkedwith a return to West Brom.
What's wrong with signing him today? Personally, I think BFC has messed a fair number of players around this summer (as well as the supporters) with constant indecision regarding squad "priorities". Why sign Healey tomorrow? What's up with signing him today? He ought to have been signed up a week ago. Would you blame him if he took another offer elsewhere?
