from the barnsley star again

Reds' first objective is to achieve survival
FOR promoted Champion-ship clubs Barnsley, Southend and Colchester, the overriding objective this season is survival.
Following Sunderland, West Brom and Birmingham's relegation from the top flight, this could prove the most keenly-contested year in the second tier since the inception of the Prem iership in 1992.
With Leeds, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Preston, Norwich and Southampton also expected to challenge strongly, the three new sides appear prime candidates for the role of whipping boys.
Yet that need not necessarily be the case.
Last season's trio of clubs promoted to the Champion-ship - Sheffield Wednesday, Luton and Hull - all survived with something to spare.
Mike Newell's Hatters finished a highly respectable 10th, while Wednesday and Hull both ended the campaign 10 points clear of the drop zone.
Significantly, Luton maintained their winning momentum from the previous campaign - when they won the League One title - and rapidly acclimatised to the Championship.
Therein lies the lesson for Southend, Colchester and Barnsley, who must use the feelgood factor from last season's success to compensate for their lack of financial muscle and fuel a positive start.
In terms of history and support, Barnsley are the biggest of the three promoted clubs.
Since their memorable flirtation with the Premiership in 1997-98 and play-off final defeat two seasons later, the Reds spent several years floundering.But their rehabilitation took a giant leap forward last season when they won promotion via the play-offs.
However, although a play-off victory is never to be turned down, the Reds' young side may just have been promoted a season too soon.
Manager Andy Ritchie had previously spoken of a two-year plan to get out of League One but Barnsley could yet provide a breath of fresh air to the Championship.
However, they must be more ruthless in front of goal, with Marc Richards their top scorer last season with 12 and 10-goal Chris Shuker having departed Oakwell.
Yet the arrival of winger Michael McIndoe should significantly bolster Ritchie's squad, which also welcomes defender Sam Togwell from Crystal Palace.

 

What feelgood factor?

 

May 27th to May 31st approx

 

What feelgood factor?..............yep yer right............that went weeks ago

I mistakingly thought PC and GS would throw a bit of money into the pot to secure Championship status
I didn't expect them to go out and buy players but I thought they could bring a few Bosmans in and loan signings and use their money with money gained from Flinders and the play offs to attract players in through decent wages (i.e. the going rate)

How wrong can yer be
The worst close season i can remember
I haven't even been to pre-season matches

 

Just stay away from bridges, OK?

 

Shut up moaning, YN

My goodness, I've never heard anyone moan so much in my entire life. Maybe wait until we've played 15-20 matches, then you can have a moan if we're outside the top 15!

Until then, dear god, zip it shut, they haven't even kicked a ball yet and you're basically writing them off!

 

RE: What feelgood factor?..............yep yer right............that went weeks ago

I've got the feelgood factor, it's just it seems like every fcuker on here is either miserable, deluded or just a plain moaning Barsteward.

like the person who's post I'm replying to

 

RE: What feelgood factor?..............yep yer right............that went weeks ago

YN was the only person at Cardiff moaning that we won on penalties, instead of beating them 10-0.

 

RE: What feelgood factor?..............yep yer right............that went weeks ago

"if Colgan hadn't have ****** up....."

Load of ballacks

 

good grief, and folk say I am negative...listen at yer...we will be ok I tell yer

 

You going on Saturday, old man?

 

do popes **** in the woods......or summink like that

 

We'll be sat in the good looking corner of Courthouse

I expect a pint infront of me by 2pm

 

no no I mean... are bears catholic......oh bugger it YEAH I am There

 

RE: no no I mean... are bears catholic......oh bugger it YEAH I am There

ff

 

A rare positive post from Dragon Tyke about the club