Just watched the game back from the weekend

I might have said to my brother after about half an hour of the match, that I thought Hourihane may be getting more credit than he's due, purely because of the goals he's scored.

But I've watched the match back today and for me he was by far and away our best player on Sunday. At the time I thought it was a toss up between Berry, Bailey and Winnall. But everything went through Hourihane. The lad looks a different class, and his left foot is absolutely lethal.

I take back what I said, I just think I've never really noticed as much as I just have.

 

I said pretty much the same thing yesterday having watched the game a second time.

On first viewing, I thought Bailey and Berry were the pick of midfield, and Winnall a clear MOTM.

But on second viewing, Hourihane was easily the best player on the park. He fluffed his lines once or twice, but his all around game was bang on. His tackling, his energy, the time he had on the ball and put on a show in terms of his passing.

On first viewing, I thought Bailey had been much more prominent. He wasn't. He was decent don't get me wrong, but he hardly had a kick in truth whereas both Berry and Williams were everywhere whilst Hourihane ran the show.

Being a division lower down and it being very early to judge, I won't go OTT like some do and suggest he's this or that. But I really enjoy watching him play. And I'm not saying this in some sort of bias manner, but he's the first player in midfield since Butterfield to genuinely enthuse me, win lose or draw. He's just a lovely footballer to watch and not once this season have I thought "Hourihane was ****/poor".

This isn't a dig at anybody, players or fans, it's just a **** load of praise for quite possibly the best footballer in the division and easily the best fotballer we've had down Oakwell for some time. And the great thing is, I enjoy watching a lot of this squad. My favourite two players would be Winnall and Berry. The two I'd hate to lose the most. Which sounds daft after what I've said about Conor. And James Bree is something else. I was impressed with Abbott n all when he played. Which all adds up to me really enjoying the season so far and especially enjoying watching this team. A Barnsley team I can buy into. A young, effervescent and dynamic side with a bit of character about em.

Are they going to now rip up the division, waltz to the title etc? I doubt it. Not arsed if they don't. If we are now settling down, and the last handful of games is an indication as to our season to be overall, it'd do me for year one of the rebuild. Hopefully it'll be enough to see us (at least) push for the playoffs.

Rambled on a bit there. Tough ****.

You Reds.

 

Best midfielder we've had for a long time - shooting is excellent but maybe needs to look up for the better option - one or two well placed players in the second half when he chose to shoot instead. Minor point as I rate him very highly and he is one player we need to keep if we are looking to go up in the near future

 

I watched it back on Sunday evening and was impressed how well the midfield quartet complimented each other, especially in the second half. I didn't fully appreciate it whilst the match was in progress. But that's the benefit of watching a game back later. You can be a bit more detached, rather than being totally involved and focussed whilst the match is in progress. All four made huge and positive contributions to the cause.
If we can't extend Williams' loan spell, he's certainly set the bar high for the likes of Jennings, Treacy & RNL to follow. For a loan player, his application was spot on and does him great credit.

 

Best central midfielder since Redders, box to box, tackles, passes, deadballs, you could argue that t'owd Butterboy had potential to be better, but I think Hourihane is the finished product.

 

As I say, hard to judge so early and in a division below but he's definitely of the same ilk. Both of a similar age, height and weight, play the same position and both have the ability to score spectacular goals.

Fingers crossed Ben/Patrick/whoever aren't going to flog him cheaply in January. Daft money in my opinion.

 

Big fan of Reuben, really rate Jennings and I know there's a talented laiker in Treacy somewhere. Fitness and dedication the issue with all three I reckon. I think all three are probably more talented than Williams, but I doubt any of them have it in them to graft like he did on Saturday in that second half. Someone likened him to Devaney and O'Brien. Bang on the money there. So if over his loan spell he starts to show the talent as well as that energy and commitment, then he'll have set some standard to follow and we'll have three loan players we're going to struggle to retain or replace.

 

Couldn't agree more. At the game I thought Hourihane was a clear M.O.M & was surprised both the club & Sky gave Winnall it.

He put some great crosses in all game

 

I wouldn't expect any of them to mirror Williams' style of play. However, I see nothing wrong with expecting them to bring their own style into the team and being equally effective. As for our loan signings, there could already be plans in place to extend the deals, or perhaps in the case of Ramage & Dudgeon to make the deals permanent. For the time being, Andy mate, I'm simply going to enjoy watching our team play.

 

Bloody hell, I forgot Dudgeon was a loanee. So that's four we have who so far have been decent. I know, I know, lots aren't convinced by Dudge, but for me he's been a good addition. Looking forward to seeing how young George Smith gets on whenever he's given his chance by Danny. Exciting, hopeful and interesting times, Kev.

Goodnight, pal.

 

Jennings always put a shift in last season, helped Kennedy out tons.

I'm sure he'll replicate that once he loses some of the muscle/fat

 

Who's the 4th? Dudgeon, Ramage, Williams. Who am I missing?

 

Cole

 

Ah, yeah. Cheers, forgot about him. Wishful thinking I guess, would love to have him permanent.

 

We'll not have £25 million to spend on him by the time we're done

 

He was given a torrid time against Swindon & MKDons and I believe it was right to pull him out of the firing line for a while. However, he'd been solid enough up to that point. Not perfect by any means. But I think the lad will come good again and I'd love to see him, Nyatanga & young Smith battling it out for the left back position.