Published on Thursday 3 January 2013 09:20 BARNSLEY caretaker boss David Flitcroft has taken Keith Hill’s advice and put himself in the frame to be promoted to first team boss at Oakwell. Flitcroft has been Hill’s loyal assistant for 18 months, but is now ready to consider a step-up following his best mate’s sacking. But even the help of former Fleetwood boss Micky Mellon and ex Hartlepool United manager Martin Scott – who Flitcroft drafted in for help – couldn’t prevent the misfiring Reds slumping to a 2-1 away defeat to fellow strugglers Peterborough United on New Year’s Day. “If the job is offered to me it would be a serious consideration,” admitted Flitcroft. “I’m a positive guy and I’ll always stay positive. The club are looking to appoint someone before the Leeds game. “If it’s not then it’s not and it’s not meant to be. Until I’m told otherwise I’ll keep working hard and doing what I’m doing. “I’ve been given the number one spot now, but whether it’s the number one or number two, I’ll work hard for Barnsley Football Club. “I’ve been taught well by my dad. He said whoever I’m employed by you just make sure you give them everything – and that’s what I’ve done from day one. I’ll continue to do that.” Flitcroft praised Mellon and Scott for answering his SOS following Hill’s departure, but was left amazed his side didn’t get at least a point at London Road. “There are amazing people in football. Martin Scott and Micky Mellon have made the sacrifice to help and I’m very grateful,” added Flitcroft. “The players have been fighting for Keith Hill, but we’ve not been scoring goals. It’s just that end product and that’s something we’ll keep working on as long as I’m in charge. “We deserved something against Peterborough, but again we got nothing. Man for man we were better than them. The tempo and pressure we created was excellent.” Brentford manager Uwe Rosler remains the club’s number one target, with former Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O’Driscoll and ex Sheffield Wednesday boss Gary Megson still in the frame to become Hill’s successor. And Flitcroft admitted it’s been “difficult” not working with Hill, someone he still admires greatly. “I think everyone knows how difficult it’s been for me,” admitted Flitcroft. “When you lose you’re best pal, someone who you’ve worked so close with for six and a half years, well it can be tough not going to work with him. “But Hilly’s pulled me out of these situations before. I’ve had some tough times in my life – and Hilly’s got me through. “He wanted me to go and fight for my family – and I’ve done that. I’ve always been a fighter and Hilly asked me to stay on and fight on. “That’s what we’ve done as a group. We’ve all stuck together and fought, for me and the football club. That’s all I could have asked for them. “There’s many more games left and there’s a lot of fight still left in that dressing room. “That’s what I’ve seen, but people might have seen different. I’ve told the players we’re going to need sacrifice to get out of this situation and they know that.”
Would be possibly the worst appointment we could go for. Keith hill all over again for another 18 months
Whether he stays or not depends upon the new man being happy with him and whether the club don't want to pay compensation and then the wages of a replacement.
Call me old fashioned but I want our next manager to be someone who genuinely wants the job, someone who will got to the bother of actually applying for it, not someone who would consider it and might not take it if it was offered. I can think of a hundred reasons why Flitcroft shouldn't get the job, but the fact that he's not even sure if he wants it should be right at the top of the list.
Not only that but I get the distict impression that if Hill had said to him to tell the club to get stuffed he wouldnt still be here now. I dont want someone who needs permission from Hill to be here.
