Keith and David

Great interviews by both of them today. They have the club at heart and want the same as us - but with a massive dose of realism. The time, effort and commitment they are showing is second to none.
Particularly interesting is Flickers' comment re needing the support of all and sundry including us, the fans. That means respect and less knee jerk. More patience and less instant gratification. More haste less speed. I'll repeat myself and sy that these two are the best we've had since Danny and Eric.
Also - david Preece - top column in the much better and revitalised Barnsley Comical. Keep it up.
x
peace and love and boat drinks

 

Where is Flicker's interview? I've not heard it.

 

back o the chron

 

Potentially the best management team we've ever had. The differences in circumstances between now and 97 are stark and they deserve a lot of credit and respect for doing what they are on the current budget.

 

They're not that different, or maybe they are for the better

When Wilson took over in 94 he didn't sign a single player for 18 months. We had no money, only a third of a ground, no academy and attendances smaller than they are now. We finished sixth that year. Some wheeling and dealing in the transfer market allowed Wilson to put together a promotion outfit in three years, but in my opinion things were in a far worse state when Wilson took over than they are now.

I'm not for a minute suggesting Hill is doing a poor job, but neither for a minute do I accept that he's taken over the club in such a terrible state. We're Barnsley, this is how it is and it's been a damn site worse than this at many times in the past.

 

Re: They're not that different, or maybe they are for the better

Fair point Jay but what I am getting at is that we weren't competing with nearly half the league getting parachute payments that dwarf our wildest dreams back then. I'm not saying Wilson didn't do a fantastic job, far from it, but pound for pound I think these two are the best in the league at present. I'd love to see what these two could have achieved under the exact same conditions as Wilson.

 

I think they're doing well on the budget they've got

But I wouldn't as yet put them in Wilson's league.

 

The footballs not half as good and I'm still waiting for the "John hendrie" signing

I live in hope

 

Re: I think they're doing well on the budget they've got

I'd agree with that, not yet but potentially.

 

Re: They're not that different, or maybe they are for the better

Don't want to compare Hill/Wilson, because I think any notion of comparing is ridiculous, but football is clearly a different business these days as suggested by MarioKempes in response. So now i'll compare, because I like ridiculousness.

Wilson probably had greater constraints at the time, but there was far greater value to be extracted from the market than Hill has at his disposal. The differential between Barnsley and the rest was probably smaller.

There are similarities between the two in terms of the values they instill in the team, and the fact that they want to play a brand of football that takes bravery in management in the modern game. Both are/were uncompromising types with a clear vision of what they want to do and how they want to do it.

But ultimately, Hill has achieved sod all in his career yet, and I hope his ego doesn't run away with him before he does. I really think he - together with Flitcroft as a crucial part of the team - can achieve something special here. Maybe not to be remembered by history the same way as Wilson, but certainly as one of our best, and I for one am enjoying the ride.

 

Am I allowed to say I think Hill is average and should keep his gob shut and some posters in this thread are totally deluded brown nosers.........thought not

 

What ever Hill and Flitcroft want to achieve with us can that be backed by Cryne and Rowing or is there a massive gulf between the two parties?

 

No because that would just be silly.



Edit - that was in response to durkerred, but forgot to quote him.

 

Always curious to see your opinion! If brown nosing constitutes supporting and liking what KH is doing then for sure my nose is a very dark and smelly brown.
If you think he's just average, who would you have instead?

 

it's not a case of who else he wants, hill's doing ok

but he's right, the way some go on, you espescially, you'd think he was sir alex ferguson himself.

 

Re: it's not a case of who else he wants, hill's doing ok

very true, but you have also got those at the other end of the scale who think he is kevin blackwell and are just waiting for there "i told you so" moment

 

It's an interesting comparison

The club when Wilson took charge had no sponsor, a capacity of about 11,000 if memory serves and was a bit skint after pursuing a 'big name' manager in Viv Anderson and backing his signings.

However the playing field was more level at Championship standard than it is now. Money has definitely skewed the league so whilst Hill has more resources at his disposal than Wilson had, the level of finance behind the majority of our competitors is vastly superior to that in 94/95 and now means that BFC's ability to sign and finance Premier League players coming to the end of their careers (Hendrie/Wilkinson -esque) is virtually non existant imho.

That's not taking anything away from Wilson who in 2 seasons turned us into a promotion winning squad which given the situation when he took over is a remarkable achievement. A similar level of achievement for Hill in the current football financial climate would be to get us into the play-offs in 2 seasons imho.

 

Re: They're not that different, or maybe they are for the better

I agree with most of that Jay, the difference to me is that in 96/97 when top flight players were close to the end of their careers they still had to earn a living so a club like Barnsley was attractive to Hendrie and Wilkinson. I'm not so sure we could attract them now.

Oh and football in general is fecked, but you knew that anyway !

 

Re: it's not a case of who else he wants, hill's doing ok

he's definately won me over as times gone on. still don't like the childish comments he keeps making, but he aint gonna change is he?

 

Re: They're not that different, or maybe they are for the better

Agree, I don't think I've ever felt so lacking in optimism at the start of a season as I did in 94-95. 20 minutes in and we're 2-0 up and playing samba football. How quickly things change!