Right, if we put all this pro/anti davey business to one side ..

.... lets just consider this (just said this in a reply to Kirkbytyke, but I'll open it up)

If I am missing something, please put me straight as a worried Barnsley fan.

This is a real fact as well - We missed relegation last season by a whisker - since then we have let 8 'first-teamers' leave the club if you count the 4 loanees ...

Muller
Souza
Van Homo
Leon
Hammill
Mifsud
Righters
Andranik

+ Letheran

Now admittedly some of these 9 were crap ... particularly Righters, but so far we've brought Sodje and a reserve keeper in.

So, apart from the 'feel good factor' and 'positive vibes' from the manager, Cryne and the players, in real terms of putting players on the pitch to compete in the Championship, how can we be stronger now than we were last season if we don't bring in 3 or 4 quality players?

 

But we are?

Hammil looks set to sign, as does Thompson, Gray and that Icelandic fella...is that not strengthening?

 

I'm glad that the season is about to start but def not looking forward to the big kick off.

My concern is the lack of players in and more worrying is the fact that the stories coming out of the club are different on a day-to-day basis. Yes, we aren't the only club to be in this situation with few players in but I'm not worrying about them, what I worry about is how we will last until the January window never mind end of season if we don't get atleast 3 players in.

 

We're not stronger, yet

dont think even Davey would argue that. The intention is to have a smaller but more competitive squad, and he's trying to get 3 or 4 in asap to make that happen. We start on Saturday with what we've got, and in comparison, on paper, its weaker than the team that played against Plymouth. But as we know, football isnt played on paper, and to some degree, the slate is wiped clean and the existing players have a fresh start.

I'd take a point on Saturday in the knowledge that there's players in the pipeline. A defeat is a wounder, and we'll be gutted walking out of there yet again listening to them crow abart it, but its a marathon not a sprint.

 

Agree completely

As it stands we are even more up against it than we were last season. I'm just looking forward to the Second Coming winning a header on Saturday and it being rammed down our throats as conclusive proof that he's a good player.

 

We all know we need signings. Including Davey. If you look at the 9 released Albatross, which were a part of what you would call our best starting 11 last season??? And which would start on saturday for you if still at the club.

The expected team is -
Steele - Think it was obvious either Steele or Muller would go in the summer - For me the right one did. Simply for financial reasons more than anything. With Steele out of contract he would have gone for nothing aged 24 25ish?? Muller was 31 and we got 600k. This did leave us with no back up keeper but Preece, an experianced keper has been recruited has cover. So Muller leaving fine by me!
Hassell - Definatley Bobby over Van Homeot for me.
Kozluk
Moore - Souza was Center half back up. Over the age of 30, lacked pace and prone to mistakes. A good player none the less. But it looks as though Thompson is going to be brought in. Aged 25 - Full international (Albeit Jamiaca - But i dint hear people pulling JCR down fo rplaying for them!) and he is also bale to cover adequtly in midfield has we saw a last Saturday. So again - Agree with Souza being released.
Foster
JCR
Deveany - Now - i do believe that Hammill will re-sign and for me he is the only one of the 9 released or left, who would start on a regular basis. Also got the icelandic player coming in from Italy who will had competion to the wings and an attacking option to play in the middle maybe when Anderson injured/suspended ect. (Leaving JCR to his wide duties!!)
Butterfield
Anderson. - When Colace fit he will start alongside Anderson. Now - Do you rate Leon has better than Butterfield?? i think they look similar types of players in a way but i honestly feel Butterfield might fair better than Leon. Except for Preston away i cant say i saw much from Leon. This is risky with young players but theres only one way of finding out what they are capable of!!
Macken
Odejayi/Bogdanovic - So the players released that could have been in reckoning are Mifsud and Rigters. Rigters was awful. Give me Sodje anyday!!! Mifsud Well what happened there?? A few years ago he notched nearly 30 goals in this league but has done little since. Right to let him go again i would say.

That leaves the signing of Andy Gray. Apparently this will happen when transfer embargo is lifted on Charlton. So again i have to say that yep i think i would rather have Gray and Sodje than Rigters and Mifsud.
I belive Andranik was a good player but looked as though he was more comfortable in a 5 man midfield. Davey has said he is not looking to use this formation any more. 4-4-2 mostly. Could be a good squad player yes, but starting no.

Thats my opinion anyway!!! We have got a leaner squad this year at the minute - But for me, if the 4 signings that Davey wants come in (Gray, Hammill, Thompson, And the Icelandic player!!!!) we will be just as strong - even stronger!! The make or break will be injuries and suspensions and how the Potters, Butterfields and Adams do. Fingers crossed hey!!




Off mi soapbox now!!

 

Great post. Good analysis.

 

I am worried, but agree the analysis of Brian Mahoneys Waist.
would have been over the moon had the four 'potential' signings had been actually signed a week ago, and were playing tomorrow.

 

SORRY to Brian Potter

Agree with your analysis

 

RE: SORRY to Brian Potter

Let thee off

 

Re: Right, if we put all this pro/anti davey business to one side .. nt

 

It's not a question of Sir Bobby over Van Homo or Moore over Souza - it's a question of cover.

The squad is so thin that one injury and one suspension and we are struggling to get a decent first 11 out. As Albatross said the squad is weaker than the squad that just survived. If and when these new signings finally arrive and bed in we may already be stuck in the relegation zone.

 

I think you do the young players in the squad a disservice. From what I have seen it looks like most of the development squad are ready to contribute to the season. They can adequately replace the players you mention, most of which would only be cover after all, except Hammill. And if we can add the 4 players we are after we will be ready to go. It is unfortunate that it has taken so long to get them, but it is only what I expected, its been the same for many clubs. Players are trying to get whats best for them, difficult to get them to commit, especially with agents around. Personally, I am really looking forward to the season, god I miss it in the summer, will be at Swillsbro, and I won't be making any knee jerk reaction whatever the result.