last season we signed richards, devaney, tommy wright, heckingbottom, and mcparland during the season, So flinders, conlon, vaughan, carbon, burns, shuker, and mcphail have gone, out of them Carbon played 21 games, Vaughan 1 sub, flinders 3, and conlon 8 so in affect we have lost 3 first team players which have all been replaced! And we still have squad players who we have not seen yet? could become gems or could flop time will tell
Aye, not worth a try last season but this divisions weaker! I hope you are right but..</p> here, take one...</p> [img=http://www.mgglass.it/straws.jpg]</p>
In all seriousness Who was the last player to step up to the first team from the Academy?</p> Didn't we have plenty of cover in Defence most of the time last season. </p>
The fact that we constantly chopped and changed the back 4 speaks volumes that we were struggling.</p> We should have signed a CH last season nevermind this.</p>
chopped and changed due to injuries, and despite that we still kept the most clean sheets becasue we for once defended as a team, with midfielders picking up runs and defending as a unit. Tonge RB Hassell RB/CB Reid CB Kay CB Austin LB/RB/CB Heckingbottom LB Williams LB Togwell CB So we have at least 2 people for each position, am not saying they are world beaters all of them but for now they will do! Back to the original post, people seem to worry bout the lack of signings when we have always signed during the season and will continue to as this is when clubs know what position they are with regards squad numbers etc Not mentioning names (YN) but some people seem to think signing players means success, interesting really cos when Paul Hart was in charge we signed a bundle of players but did nothing AR takes over adds a few additions slowly and look what happens! Donny prime example always have a overhaul of players every season and start rubbish because the team do not have time to gel, keep the squad together and add players when needed i.e keeper now, striker later but we have cover in areas people just seem to expect signings to get them excited and hope sup for the season. Me personally, i'm excited no matter what happens, no one expects us to do anything so what have to lose!
RE: Totally agree....... I don't think we need to sign anyone yet, except another keeper, and i also think we'll surprise a few people and be well clear of relegation come next May!
mate, i do agree with you.... .... so i'll tell you what i think about our goalkeeping 'crisis'. We have a good goalie. He probably will go the season uninjured. We must have an academy keeper. Let him step up and be the understudy, maybe share the understudy work between a couple of youths. Let everybody step up a rung. I don't see the point of paying top rates for a youth from Swansea who didn't make it there (and who people are nervous about). To bring somebody in just for backup sounds like too great a luxury. I reckon we should wing it a bit and save the money. There. I said it.
one last thing I am actually surprised at the lack of faith in the current players and think it is a little harsh, these players will want to prove themselves and have nothing to lose. Did people want AR as manager? NO because he is not a big name manager Did people expect us to make the playoffs at the beggining of the season? NO Did people expect us to beat Huddersfiled away in the playoff semi's? NO Did people expect us to beat Swansea in the final? NO Yet each time we have defied our critics but the best they can come up with is that we stuttered into the playoffs, does it really matter? The squad we've got have proved us wrong in the past as have the management, so why not show them some faith/trust as they have not let us down yet and make judgements after a ball has been kicked? AR, RH, and GS are the best thing that has happened to this club in a long time, yet so called fans keep knocking them and having sligh digs, just trust there judgement for once!
RE: one last thing of course, you could say that once we start to believe in AR and Barnsley ability to win then it will all come crumbling down. I'm not going to say it though.
RE: one last thing Did people want AR as manager? NO because he is not a big name manager ..correct, but most have backed him since he arrived</p> Did people expect us to make the playoffs at the beggining of the season? YES check the poll Paul D did last season</p> Did people expect us to beat Huddersfiled away in the playoff semi's? Yes, I did and many others did too.</p> Did people expect us to beat Swansea in the final? 50/50 it was anybody's. The doubters were not far wrong though.</p> 2 wins in our last 12 competative league games.</p> Will we survive this season? touch and go with the current squad. All most people want is a couple of decent signings to improve the odds. Richtea has admitted as much himself.</p>
sorry should have said small minority of fans who seem to be the most vocal and general football fans/media, yes fans did get behind AR probably expected us for the playoffs but was the poll done at the start of the season? Either way it seems there is a lack of trust in our current players and fans are easy to jump on their backs, Colgan, McPhail, Chopra, to name a few when things are not happening for them!
RE: Good post Come next May we will see if Ritchie is the real deal and not out of his depth! I for one trust him and believe in miracles, besides he got us up with an average side!
