My take (for what it's worth)

We are nowhere near the intensity & style of play produced on a regular basis last season under Flitcroft. The standards set by the players individually and as a team have fallen sadly short of the levels they set in 2013. However, we're only one week into the season. That doesn't mean concerns can't be raised, or voiced. But questions can be asked of fans who are already writing off the team, club and manager after a mere seven days of the campaign. Who's to say we won't regain our standards next Saturday at home to Charlton and go on a bit of an unbeaten run? I believe we already have the players at the club to get us moving up the table. If we can bring in a striker, or two, to score the goals which would establish us higher in the league, so much the better.
I'm as disappointed as the next bloke with the start we've made. It doesn't mean, though, that the best course of action for us to take is by panicking, spending money we haven't got on players we can't afford and writing off lads who made a huge contribution to the great run we had from January to May. It's my opinion Flitcroft can do the job asked of him and has earned the right to be given the time to do so. Others think differently, which is fair enough and their right.

 

Agree entirely.

We had a fantastic 2 months when Flitcroft took over. The last few weeks we stumbled over the line scoring very few goals & just grafting our way to points. Our key players, O'Grady & Mellis, haven't found form or had the right service and we've struggled. We'll be fine. I'm convinced of it.

The quality of our squad is not of the standard that we shouldn't expect to lose a couple of games on the trot. We're still one of the smaller/lowest budget squads but we'll do better than we did last season. I'm convinced.

 

young un was a mascot last Saturday for wigan game and part of the package was to go in the changing rooms and meet the players, and I have to say it was a eye opening experience for me. There seemed to be none of this togetherness, no banter, in fact there was very little talking whatsoever, merely players who seemed more interested in there phones than there teammates. I realise there can be several reasons for this but I certainly didn't see any of this so called special bond they apparently have.

 

When my daughter was a mascot

I didn't see any of that, either (Andy Ritchie was manager at the time). I put it down to the players not acting like they'd normally do, when there are strangers in their company. I certainly didn't assume it was down to a lack of team spirit and camaraderie.

 

I don't think people are writing the team off. They are just concerned about the stark differences between the end of last season and the start of this. The first two games have been pityful and people have the right to voice their concerns - regardless of what the professional supporters on here (who are killing the board for me), but it's very easy to overreact after a bad performance.

As I said on another thread, Flitcroft has earned the right to give it his all but that doesn't mean we can't be disappointed with the start or that any player is above criticism. Football is a game of opinions. Let's keep it that way.

 

There's been enough folk (not necessarily on the BBS) I've heard and read already writing the season off. However, their views hold little authority, value & credibility with me.

 

Thought we deserves something from yesterday, just need more tempo from midfield and better service, basham put some great crosses in for Blackpool yesterday. We need a striker this week as a replacement for dagnall, Dawson needs dropping for me.

 

When the likes of Etuhu & Digby are fit, they offer a different alternative in midfield. A new striker would, hopefully, give everyone connected with the club a bit of a lift.

 

Think that's spot on.

But there were two spells under Flitcroft - his first 8 weeks and his last. The start we've had feels very much like the last 8 weeks. We'll be fine.

 

You see, you are able of posting a sensible view...Well done and keep it up. 9/10.

 

I've only seen us against Wigan but listening to the frustration of the Barnsley Player commentators has got me slightly concerned at our style of play. It doesn't take a genius to realise that if you have three defensive players in a four man midfield you are going to struggle to create chances and get in behind the opposition defence.

Saying that, a point would have been decent yesterday and it was only a freak goal that prevented us from getting it, the mood would have been a bit better if we'd have held out.

There could be a bit of Andy Ritchie syndrome setting in with Flicker where he has a good relationship with the players and doesn't want to drop those who he has generally always picked (ie Dawson and Dagnall), and while these are good squad players and have been excellent on their day, these occasions have been too few and far between.

We could really do with at least one striker in before the next game, the trouble is I can't think of one within our reach who is better than what we've got.

Where's hemsworthtyke anyway? He'd know what to do!

 

Sounds like he could be putting them off...maybe that primadona striker who takes it easy in training and is a bit of a nob but bangs in a goal or two every other game is what we need. I'm sure the other players won't mind that he isn't a 'special human being' if he is putting the ball in the net so everyone else collects their win bonus!

 

Totally agree! I can see no reason not to play 3-5-2 now goldies back. Stick mellis where he can do damage, in the middle, and we may fair far better. No more pissing about wy 4-4-2 when we haven't got the staff please mr flitcroft!

 

Surely you can't agree with that post. You're the type of poster I'm referring to.

 

I surely can, I'm full of self loathing.

 

I agree about 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 or whatever we're calling it
Steele
Wiseman Cranie M'Voto Nyatanga Golbourne
Perkins Etuhu (or Digby for now)
Mellis
O'Grady *New Striker

That should hopefully be the first choice line up

 

352 should be our formation, let other teams worry about us. If we want to be more defensive or play with a back 4 use 451.