'Spend or I'm going' PLAYMAKER Stephen McPhail could be calling it a day at Oakwell within the next fortnight despite winning promotion in Saturday's play-off final with Swansea City. "I'm going to think about my future for a couple of weeks. I speak with my advisors, speak with my family," he said. "I'm coming to 26 now, it's my prime. If I'm not at Barnsley it will be somewhere else. "I've really, really enjoyed this couple of years. If the terms were right and we show a bit of ambition, I'd stay. "I don't want to be in a relegation fight in the first season back, we need some players. I'll speak with the chairman, family and friends and make my decision in a couple of weeks." He added: "We probably need five or six players, we know it's going to be tough, there are some great clubs in the Championship. Hopefully the gaffer will get some money to spend. We need some experience. We know we can play some decent football." McPhail, who has been linked with Championship rivals Hull City and Cardiff City, reckoned Barnsley were favourites to beat Swansea once extra time had ended. "We knew if it came to pens we'd be comfortable with it. We've been striking them home. We felt it was our day even though they had quality on the bench and they tried to change the game by bringing them on," he explained. "We just dug deep and saw it through to the penalties. No-one was expecting it to be easy, it was a tough game. But we deserved to go up on our results this year. We're a young team, I'm delighted with what we've achieved. "It was a cup final and to win here especially in front of that crowd, family and friends ... it was just a great feeling. The pitch wasn't great but we dug in." Barnsley's players will enjoy a civic reception today. The team and staff will leave Oakwell at 4pm and are expected to be at the Town Hall at 5pm.
He added: "We probably need five or six players"............... But thats not what Ritchie is saying In recent interviews Rithie has indicated that he will stick to the current squad to see how they go in the Championship League. He says he is faithfull to his players But a manager CANNOT be faithfull to his players, the club comes first, winning comes first He got away with it last season because we were in a poor league. He will not get away with it in the coming season
Ritchie said straight after the game that they already had targets, and that he would be sitting down with Gordon Shepherd this week to discuss who they want to sign. I expect us to sign a minimum of three players
Bring it on you moaning ****! What the **** is wrong with you you miserable Barsteward!</p> You have been belly-aching all season and its got right on my tits , we have got promoted for fecks sake.</p> I couldnt care less how we did it but we did.</p> Why dont you just be happy for once you miserable get!</p>
Who's criticising Ritchie ??? I am reporting what has been said Shep told us at the Darfield Cricket Club that they had offered Ritchie more money for players and he had turned it down. Ritchie said he was being faithfull to his players And he said the same after the Cardiff match Ritchie got us promoted..........GREAT STUFF !!! But he is saying that he wants to stick with the present squad I think this present squad would be relegated from the Championship But thats my opinion My opinion Not someone elses........Mine I'm not like some on here that jump on a band wagon as soon as they see somebody being criticised
fair enough but any chance keeping your opinions to yourself for a while longer, we've only just been promoted, some of us are still on a high without you coming on here saying we are relegated if we don't change the squad.. </p> Wait till the season starts then you can carry on where you left off when we were in League 1.</p>
RE: Who's criticising Ritchie ??? yes, you were criticising ritchie. the players want to play for him because they feel the loyalty. he has said that we need to bring players in. i bet you had a go at jacob burns for not being loyal aswell and are now having a go and richie for this.
I wouldn't exactly say "he got away with it" this season I agree with his statement regarding giving the existing players a chance. However, he will have to be careful about re-signing some of the out of contract ones (out of loyalty) if they are not going to be good enough. He has some difficult decisions to make over the summer. Paul Sturrock admitted the other week that he totally misjudged the standard of play in the championship. This implies that there is a big leap in quality between the two leagues.
Good point about Sturrock I didn't see this.................... Paul Sturrock admitted the other week that he totally misjudged the standard of play in the championship. I think if we finish below Wendy we will have had a poor season Because the Wendy are £30 million in debt and counting....they are going nowhere
I've really, really enjoyed this couple of years. If the terms were right If the terms WERE right? Yep, he's on his way!
