something that has always annoyed me with football fans

When a gifted player is criticised for being lazy and other fans come back with the "would you rather us have a **** truer then?" argument. No mate I'd rather the gifted lad put an ounce of effort in and played to his ability

Its as if people think that ability means you don't have to try.

It makes me wonder how they'd react if their kid was really intelligent and quite obviously gifted with the world at their feet but they put no effort in at school and got all DS at GCSE. I'd be livid with them personally for throwing away their potential due to a terrible attitude but it seems that most people would praise them and tel them they don't need to work hard because at least they're not as thick as the lad next door who went to extra lessons after school to try to keep up but still only got Ds and Es.

 

Gifted players that put themselves about are pretty rare at this level.

I'm guessing this is aimed at Hourihane and nobody is saying he is perfect, but if he was he wouldn't be playing for us..

 

No not aimed at Hourihane. Its a general post which to be honest could be aimed at what fans have said about hourihane, mellis, colace, Butterfield (I'm talking more about fans comments on them than the players whitey), McCourt or any number of Barnsley players over the last few years.

And I know they're rare but that's no excuse is it? Should we just accept laziness from gifted players because fans have allowed and excused it for so long? I don't think so.

 

I think the real issue is that many football fans are too black and white in their opinions on such matters and also tend to exaggerate the perceived lack of effort by more talented players to either suit a personal agenda or because the players' strengths are exercised in more advanced areas of the pitch, and when they lose the ball they are often caught 'out of position'.

However, it is very difficult for a player to be highly effective on the ball if he spends every intervening period charging around at sprinting speed, flying in to tackles in his own 6 yard and giving away silly free-kicks (Paul Scholes weaknesses anyone?) only to be knackered and 80 yards from the opposition goal when he gets the ball and is expected to then work creative miracles on behalf of the less talented members of the team (who's job it is to do the majority of the spade work in defensive areas for reasons just stated).

What I find hilarious about the Hourihane debate, is that those attacking him completely refuse to accept his contribution this season whilst firmly believing that Conor's goals and assists this season have come as a result of him simply goal hanging on the 6 yard box, and not working angles and movement, beating men to score goals and create opportunities. I even read someone quote his stats recently and referring to "goals from open play" as if sticking a 25 yard free kick in, stepping up to take a pen, or delivering dangerous set pieces somehow doesn't count. It's laughable how erratic and illogical the thinking of some people actually is.

Yes, Conor has many deficiencies in his play, which he will improve given time, but his positives this season have been as plain to see as the nose on McNulty's face. If you want to see them, that is.

It's also notable that many of those criticising Conor are also attacking Danny ongoing. Coincidence? Or agenda driven? You decide.

 

Can only vouch for mi sen, but I've never said on here or anywhere else that gifted players shouldn't also put a shift in. I don't however believe that Hourihane or A.N Other in an attacking position should be castigated for not being an efficient defender, just as I'd defend our defensive minded players if folk were slating them for not dribbling, scoring or creating enough.

Team game.

 

My soon to be 'new signature'. I've been needing a new un for a while. Cheers, pal.

 

The problem is that it is quite a sweeping statement and all of those players you mentioned have different short comings and offer different things going forward. When one of the positives about a player is a large amount of goals and assists the short comings have got to be HUGE to outweigh them.

No I do not think we should accept laziness from gifted players, however I do think we should be patient with young players showing huge potential that have plenty of time to work on other sides of their game.

 

Up until being crocked by one of our opponents on Saturday (lovely person Brown), Butterfield topped the BFC charts with Opta for successful tackles made and distance covered. I didn't think he was ever lazy, but considering the way Perkins used to run about that season I was shocked not to see him top the distance covered thingy. Jacob told me he was instructed by Keith to only worry about hurting the opposition and that others would do his donkey work. Maybe Danny tells Conor similar? I dunno.

 

If the thread/discussion is aimed at Hourihane in particular, I don't think he is lazy in the slightest. I think he works as hard as any other player on the pitch. He switches off mentally sometimes and lets his man go or is beaten too easily, but that is because he is young and is a forward thinking player. Those kind of things can be taught when they don't come naturally.

He will be a star and we should enjoy the time he spends developing with us while we have him.

 

I'd encourage the individual to become the best they can possibly be, to encourage their unique talent to blossom, to motivate them to exploit their abilities to the maximum. Not to be stifled by the mundane & the ordinary, not to be afraid of expressing themselves, not to be afraid of failure, whilst at the same time also reminding them of their responsibilities.
I feel there is too much grey in our lives, in football. I love the individuals who bring colour where there is usually none, a free spirit if you will, not of the norm. I have always been one of life's grey people. But I admire, love and appreciate those who aren't.
Which is why in a Barnsley footballing context, I have loved & appreciated the skills of the likes of (for example) Les Lea, Frank Sharp, Alistair Millar, Bobby Doyle, Ronnie Glavin, David Currie, Clint Marcelle, Craig Hignett, Dean Gorre, Steve McPhail, Adam Hammill, Jacob Butterfield, Paddy McCourt & Conor Hourihane more than the tireless workers that all teams ought to have. I concentrate more on what this type of player uniquely brought/brings to the team, rather than worry about what they don't. The type of player who does the much needed donkey work are ten a penny, but they never bring the flair and skill that the aforementioned do. If they did provide it all, they would never, and have never, played for Barnsley. The biggest problem for flair players, in my opinion, is that if they're off form (from which all players will suffer at some point), then they're accused by their critics of not putting in the effort, having the 'heart of a pea', or have been 'found out'.
It always baffles me why some feel it necessary to persistently concentrate on someone's weaknesses, rather than appreciate their strengths.

 

Couldn't agree more. I remember writing to Norman Hunter the day after he'd picked Billy Ronson instead of Ronnie Glavin when his post-match reasoning had been that Ronnie didn't work hard enough. My point to Norman then, and it's one I hold to this day, is that I pay good money to watch footballers do the things that I'm not capable of doing, and even I can sweat. Didn't get a reply from Norman. It's supposed to be a beautiful game.

 

Couldn't agree more. I remember writing to Norman Hunter the day after he'd picked Billy Ronson instead of Ronnie Glavin when his post-match reasoning had been that Ronnie didn't work hard enough. My point to Norman then, and it's one I hold to this day, is that I pay good money to watch footballers do the things that I'm not capable of doing, and even I can sweat. Didn't get a reply from Norman. It's supposed to be a beautiful game.

 

What the nice man above said. Wore my big Ali Millar badge on a night out the other day it was so heavy I fell over or at least thats what I tell myself.

 

Fill your boots bud!

 

It was said on radio Barnsley and totally agree with that comment.

If your not a premier league team, your not gonna have the perfect player. That's why Hourihane left Ipswich a few years ago to drop down to league 2. Cracking left foot and great ability but of course there will be floors in his game or he wouldn't be playing at Oakwell every week.

This said though, there is no excuse for a lack of effort that odd Saturday. Whether he's playing **** or good, the fans pay his wages and want to see 100% effort every week.