The performance v Reading was better.

Some players just suit (or don't) certain clubs - think that's the way with him.

Saw reports Mandaric just didn't want him there for some reason, and Dave Jones complied = whether that was cos he's scared of getting the sack or he didn't rate him either I dunno.

At times (being hyper hyper critical) I can see why an impartial bystander might think he isn't Alan Shearer like, but on the whole it looks like Flitcroft etc know how to get him playing. Also, he's got outstanding close control for someone who'd slot in nicely into a Rugby League team given his stature.

 

I'm looking forward to drawing Spurs away in the cup with TK marking Townsend and Wiseman marking Lennon.

 

We played much better v Reading and Boro reminded me of us on occasion. Still 3 points helps us build confidence. I think bluntly that it will be a long season. We have sone decent players particularly in the offensive third but we lack quality in the full back positions and Perkins remains out of form but in the team. We have a manager learning the job and almost a whole new team to gel. It will be another season of struggle but if we corm through I think we will be a much stronger team next year.

 

In the situation we're in, racking up some points is absolutely top of the agenda, however they come. Improve league position, but way more importantly, start to instil a bit of confidence back in the side - the kind of confidence they had on the post-January run last season.

 

Exactly this. We were commenting on it at the game and wondering why Flicker switched tactics and then was seemingly the only person in Oakwell who couldn't see where it was going wrong. Its these kind of decisions that he keeps making and his inability to see things that are wrong that are very worrying.

 

It worried me too mate. But then I looked at O'Grady, Pedersen and McCourt, three players who Flitcroft signed for Barnsley, and I realised he's definitely getting some things right. I think we're going to have to take the rough with the smooth while he's still finding his feet as a manager.

 

I completely agree. I still love Flicker and I just hope that its all part of the learning curve. He has probably forgotten more about tactics than I will ever know so I really don’t like to criticise him or his team but sometimes you wonder if they see things differently to us fans or if they do see the issue but they simply don't panic in the same way as a fan does. Like you say the pro's outweigh the cons significantly at the minute.