Ritchea still undecided on starting 11

All to play for at Oakwell

Barnsley manager Andy Ritchie says there are still places up for grabs in his starting line-up for the new season.

The Reds face Hull City on Monday followed by a clash with Leeds United at the weekend and Ritchie told BBC Radio Sheffield he was still undecided on his first 11 for the season-opener against Swindon.

Personally I think 7 or 8 places are already sorted. I'd say those would be Flinders, Ried, Williams, Shuker, Nardiello, Hayes, McPhail and Burns.

Of the rest it's 2 from Tonge, Hassell, Austin, Kay, Carbon and Vaughan in defence. Personally I'd go with Hassell at centre half and Austin at right back. The remaining place in midfield is a tough one. Maybe Kay in the middle and McPhail out wide? Maybe Tonge?

 

I think Austin should definately start he was one of the players last season that when played seemed proud to put a Barnsley shirt on

 

A bit inconsistant at the moment but has great potential. Was excellant against Wednesday last season but then slipped a bit.

 

I'm not sure about Burns. He's only started one of the preseason games. I reckon Ritchie is also still undecided about which goalkeeper to use. Plus Jarman could well get the left sided midfield slot.

Flinders

Tonge Reid Carbon Williams/Austin

Shuker Kay/Burns/McPhail Williams/Jarman

Nardiello Hayes

 

Interesting one with Jarman on the left.

 

That's where he played Friday

Scored too.

 

did you go?

if so, how did they play?

 

No.

Just got the info from reports I've read.

 

RE: No.

I think that if Kay rediscovers his form then he should plar in central defence

 

Think Kay is being wasted in defence...

He only plays there 'cause he's versatile and talented enough to. Think he'd be much more effective in the centre of midfield along side either McPhail or Burns

 

RE: Think Kay is being wasted in defence...

he can play in both midfield and defence but it is the defence which is the weakest point in the team. So therefore I would play him in defence

 

RE: Think Kay is being wasted in defence...

Ah! but I don't think Kay is a natural defender, hence like last season, he makes a lot of silly mistakes. It would be a better use of his talents to shore up the midfield thus taking the pressure off the defence leaving Hassell/Carbon/Vaughan or whoever free to concentrate of clearing anything that gets through. Also we need a midfielder who can score goals, so far there's only Kay capable of this (McPhail and freekicks excepted).

 

RE: Think Kay is being wasted in defence...

I agree that he is probably better in midfield but i feel he is needed in defence because we have no good central defenders except reid. Hassel is too small Vaughan is too slow and carbon too injury prone

 

RE: Ritchie still undecided on starting 11

One thing I'm hoping for tonight is, that, Richie uses this match and also the one against Leeds Utd, to field his 'probable' team, taking into account injuries, with the minimum of substitutions.

 

RE: Ritchie still undecided on starting 11

I agree this would be both make it a more enjoyable match for the fans and will get the team used to playing together

 

Not going to disagree about the shortcomings of our defence

but it's unfair to be pushing Kay around from position to position because of the failings of others. It's about time we started to mould him in to the player he showed the potential to be and that is a strong tackling, passing midfielder who is also capable of getting forward and scoring goals. As for the defence that's for Richie to sort out, but with what we have now, I'd start with Reid and Hassell with Vaughan or Carbon on the bench, if during a match Hassell is getting caught out due to lack of height we can substitute him. The ideal solution would be to bring in a decent centre half who has pace and can head a ball, but hey we can dream can't we!

 

RE: Not going to disagree about the shortcomings of our defence

100% agree, especially with the bit about Kay (Y)

 

Average side

will toil.

 

RE: Ritchie still undecided on starting 11

We need to start the season well so lets get the team playing together now, i've never been a fan of constantly changing players around when your a few matches away the start of the season or a compation.(blagger)

 

aerial ability

don't think he's strong enough in the air to be honest to be at the back in a side that wants promotion. He's the quickest of our poss centre backs (though still not what you'd nippy or pacey) and has good reading of the game which is why i think he's done ok in the past. i'd like to see him in midfield. kell and kay in the middle of midfield to act like a pair of bruisers with howard and shuker out wide attacking loads