I'm doing this best Barnsley eleven while I'm in hospital I'm doing it based on players who I've seen (I started going in 88) I am thinking of putting Mark Robinson in the back four. What's everybody's thoughts on this lad ?
He appeared in the overrated thread a couple of times. My memories are of an excellent player though, he often goes in my best 11s.
When he was first brought to the club by Allan Clarke on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion, it was somewhat puzzling as to the logic of the signing. Here was a winger who couldn't beat his man, nor cross a ball. However, once Mel Machin started playing him as a right wing back (whether due to the manager's vision, or sheer luck) the transformation of the lad was quite remarkable. A clean tackler, with a good engine, Robinson suddenly appeared to show pace & ability to beat an opponent not apparent when played as a winger. His high levels of consistency over a period of time got him a £450,000 transfer to Kevin Keegan's Newcastle. Unfortunately, the move didn't work out for him and subsequently he moved on to Swindon, where he gave good service and rediscovered the form he'd shown at Oakwell. Robinson is a good example of a player making a career in one position after being moved from another. John Beresford, Steve Agnew & Owen Archdeacon are other such examples. It's something to bear in mind when someone insists a player is actually a centre half or midfielder (for example), even if they're being selected in another position. Just because a player has spent their early stages in school, Academy and youth games, playing in one position does not automatically mean that's the position where he'll make his career.
The season we beat Leicester & West Ham in the FA Cup I thought he was brilliant and was gutted when Keegan took him to Newcastle. As has been said didn't do much when he first came but the switch of position transformed him.
Beautifully summed up. Very much an unsung hero. Very consistent and a huge part of our solidity (along with the million centre back formula Machin employed). Was gutted he left but couldn't blame him for moving to Newcastle at their time of progress under Keegan.
Robinson played 25 times for Newcastle and was quickly becoming a fans favorite. He suffered a badly broken leg in a preseason friendly at Hartlepool which he never fully recovered from. Without this injury I am sure he would have played for Newcastle for many years to come.
Great player as JLWBL and littlemoscowred have said. Very much a wing back rather than a full back though.
My favourite player when I first started watching. Heard the leg break caused real problems between the two clubs for many years to come. http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/horror_tackle_forgotten_340275/index.shtml
A friend of mine also from Manchester was at West Bromwich albion with hom and says whay a good player he was also says what a knob Charlton palmer was
At the time he was my favorite laiker and he just kept getting better that's why I want him in my best eleven he's ousted Gary Fleming.
Robinson, Beresford and Agnew. Three departures I wasn't expecting and felt downbeat about... ah those were the days!
I'd have Barnard at left back. Julian Broddle was another who made a decent transformation from winger to full-back/wing back
I've got Barnard on left wing in order to have Robinson and Eaden in the back four. I've used a bit of poetic license with some positions and not gone for the obvious I've 95% finished my line up. The ten outfield players scored a total of 251 goals for us. I'll put full team up later.