My final post on BFC (warning: long post)

This isn't a protest post or a 'I've done with the club' type note.
I've made a a big career change and as such I will be working every weekend from now on. I know some won't agree with this, but I just don't think you can have a valid opinion if you don't go the games, so I won't be posting views etc from now on.......

The fact of the matter is, i'd stopped going to many games despite having a season ticket. An unpopular view Im sure, but Wilson killed it for me. I missed 8 home games last year through choice. I didn't want Danny Wilson employed. That being said, I also felt he should have been given longer and we sacked him to early. I didn't want Hill sacked and Im not sure Flitcroft should have gone either. Ive missed games already this year even though I renewed my ticket. I couldn't let go of the club Ive supported for 30 years. After the last two games I don't think i'd go again this year. i definitely wouldn't have renewed my season ticket in the summer. Im glad the decision to walk away has been taken away from me.

So, my final say:

Players
For me, we have one player who stands out as being good enough for a promotion winning team, Hourihane. The rest I can take or leave. Winnall has been described on here as the best striker in the division. He's nowhere near, even when played in his correct position. Scowen has been described has a world beater, someone who will command a 7 figure fee - he won't. He's no better than Perkins was (I liked perkins, so its not a dig).

Cranie was pulled down on here week after week. Id take him back over any of our centre halves or right backs.

We've got some good young lads from the academy, and fingers crossed they'll get the chance to progress. Ive seen the scholars, and some of the ones to be offered terms in the new year offer long term hope.

I wouldn't want to keep any of the loan players if offered on a perm basis. I seriously hope the 'option to sign Smith' is exactly that, an option and not one we have to take.

Lee Johnson
Its just a question of when Johnson gets the sack, lets be honest. I think he's done enough to get it today. If Cryne hadn't made his comments then I don't think he'd have seen the night out.
Its a tough one though. If he isn't in control of what he has to coach and put out on the pitch then how do you judge him on the results. This group of players is awful, but its a bad division and we are better than bottom 4.
However, I've seen teams lower than us, with significantly lower budgets outfighting us, outplaying us and simply employing better tactics to get a result.
I don't see him getting us out of this mess. I think too many people have been written him off. This season has gone already. As long as a new manager as the final say on transfers I'd remove him now.

Upper Management
Well its just a bloody mess isn't it. What does Maurice actually do. Mansford has tried to integrate himself with the fans, but he's just become a point for ridicule. I'm sure he works hard, but on what? Theres been little or no improvement during his tenure. The match day experience he mentions at every turn has degraded year on year.

And Patrick Cryne - what can you say about the man. I am sure our club would be in a worse state had he not got involved. How do you criticise a person that has done so much for us financially. Someone who still pumps vast sums of money in the club that we need? However, he's the main man, the final decision maker and so much has gone wrong since we were promoted to the Championship. Ritchie deserved his support. Robins deserved his support. The last two managerial appointments have been bad decisions. We have no identity anymore. We don't have a vision, something to aim for. We still need the Cryne family involved, but we need someone else making the football decisions. Ive so much respect for the man, but he needs to take a step back and become a fan again for me, whilst still having some type of role.

BFC
The club has changed massively since I started watching. John Dennis did a great job under his stewardship, I bear no grudge that we went into admin during that time. Ive seen players i adored; Joe Joyce, Gwyn Thomas, Redfearn, Watson, Hignett and Ward. Ive seen some gash, Paul Gibbs top of the list. Ive seen a true community club ruined by the never ending television revenue. A club that has no connection to his fans or town - despite the best efforts of this board, Redfearns Bar and WSB trying to galvanise people around the club in recent times. The hardest thing to take is I see no way of getting it back. As Barnsley fans we don't ask for much. Football at affordable prices, a club with the same principals as the town and a team that doesn't have to win every week but the players try their hardest to do so. I haven't seen any of this in the a long time down Oakwell.

Its hard saying I'm a Barnsley fan, but I don't support my team anymore. But it does feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I want nothing but the best for this club, I desperately hope success isn't far away.

All the best guys.

 

Good read that, but just to be a pain in the arse I have to pick you up on Martin Cranie. I saw him yesterday for Huddersfield, woeful would be an understatement.

Good luck without the reds, you're not going to be alone unless something alters.

 

In his defence, he was coming up against the likes of Chris Martin, Andi Wiemann and Johnny Russell. Nyatanga struggled to deal with Milan Lalkovic.

Agree with the majority of the opening post though. Sad state of affairs when so many fans have the lost the love for the club.

 

Apart from Hourihane assessment, very good.

 

Good post but I think we have some good players for this division. We are lacking in tempo and style as a team and experience to bring the young ones on and control a game.

 

Nyatanga over Cranie every day of the week.

 

Real fans do NOT walk away.

 

How about neither?

 

Ideal world we'd have top players in every position, mate.

 

Top players? Just ones that aren't gash would be a start.

I must admit I didn't realise Cranie had signed for Huddersfield. I'm guessing they are towing?

 

Ahem..... Don't you mean customers. It's a business nowadays you know.

 

Dunno pal, first time I've seen em. But they were poor yesterday. Albeit against a very strong Derby side.

 

both gash

best of the two....Craine was a good player.....not sure Nyatanga ever has been

who cares, both gash

 

Nyatanga is a god awful defender, makes McNulty looks good. How he's kept his place God only knows, he's awful and costs us at least 10 goals a season.

 

Correct

Sensible individuals do

 

Presumably that's the same McNulty who is currently ever-present in a side doing significantly better than we are?

 

Just shows how good the other three defenders doesn`t it ?