If Ritchie was sacked due to lack of ambition.....

Then what the fig have we shown since? If Shepherd had spent a bit of cash, fetched an experienced manager in along with two or three quality players then I would have concurred with what he says. BUT, by appointing Mr Dossier and signing League One AND Two players, then GS is showing the lack of ambition that Ritchie was sacked for.

At the time, I was all for sacking Andy, but it seems that I have been brainwashed by Shepherd and the 4 players that were brought in at the time were simply to appease the fans. It just proves that the grass is not always greener.

Apart from his last 2 or 3 games in charge, under Ritchie, Barnsley had spirit, heart and guts. Along with an attacking side that played football. Under Mr coaching badge all we do is whack it up front to the two strikers - who like the ball to feet anyway. The match against Hull away is my favourite ever Tarn match. But would we have come back from 2-0 down under the current boss? Would we eckers like. We dominated Hull for 80 minutes. We passed the ball. We attacked em. What did we do last night? Nothing.

What has Anthony Kay done wrong? He is our best centre back. Why is he on the bench? Why is Paul Reid still playing. Last night he was disgraceful. He cost us the second goal, and after the game, could not get up the tunnel quick enough. It takes a brave man to come and clap the fans after been abused for 90 minutes. Only 3 players did this. Martin Devaney, Sam Togwell and Paul Hayes. You 3 now have my utmost respect, because after been slagged off you had the heart and courage to face the fans. Reid, as club captain should applaud the fans no matter what the result is. I remember losing away to Wendy's under Hart, and Tony Vaughan was captain. Tony was not the greatest defender we've ever had, and he'd had a shocking game. He was battered and bruised, and he had the physio with him, but he came to clap the fans. He got some fearful abuse, but then the jeers turned to clapping, and the fans clapped Vaughan despite him having a bad game and we lost. Why? Because Barnsley fans appreciate COMMITMENT! Paul Reid has lost my respect after that.

The fact that we are now playing long ball rhubarb sickens me. Last night our general crapness rubbed off on our 2 most consistent players - Hassell and Howard. Both were shocking. Togwell was horrible on the ball, but he tried and ran his socks off. Atkinson was OK. We could have lost 5-0.

Shepherd has shot himself in the foot by giving Davey an 18 month deal. We need someone who can motivate the players, and give them a kick up the backside. We came out in the second half and created a few chances, but as soon as the second goal went in, we may as well have gone home.

I'm not Richards' biggest fan, but he TRIES. When he came on, he worked and chased and held the ball up. Nardy needs to take note. Nardy is getting greedier by the game. Some of this is his selfishness, but I reckon a lot of it is that we create so few chances in a match that when he gets the ball he thinks that if he doesn;t dribble and shoot, he could be waitng a long time for his next chance. Hayes is so frustrating. His first touch is excellent, and technically he is very good, but I just want to shake him. He needs to show that he cares. Rack him off to Port Vale for Constantine and keep Richards. At least he CARES Paul.

In conclusion, that was the worst £15 that I've ever spent. I should have gone to the Blue Minx and had a lap dance. Its better value for money.

 

The performances ended under Ritchie following all the contract nonsense. nt

 

RE: The performances ended under Ritchie following all the contract nonsense. nt

Correct. There was no need to sack him. If he had 6/7 months left on his deal, GS didn't have to do anything.

 

As I've said before, RH said before the Palace match that

he did not expect they would be offered new contracts, ever. Not at the end of the season even, but ever. That's where their contract negotiations were at the time.