the star gets in on the act

Ritchie: Back me or axe me
BARNSLEY manager Andy Ritchie has issued a 'back me or sack me' message to chairman Gordon Shepherd in the wake of a radio interview in which Shepherd voiced concern about why new players had not been brought into the club.
Shepherd was asked about Ritchie signing a new contract and insisted that he was more concerned about strengthening the squad and forthcoming matches.
Ritchie was on a scouting mission in Dublin last night, watching the Republic of Ireland B draw 0-0 with Scotland's second string side.
He will sit down tomorrow for clear the air talks with the chairman. "I'll say, 'back me or sack me,'" he confirmed.
Ritchie was in Ireland on the look out an experienced defender and a goal scorer to bolster his squad ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile the Oakwell chief has defended his transfer policy in the wake of Shepherd's criticism, explaining why he did not sign ex-Brighton striker Colin Kazim-Richards or midfielders Ritchie Jones, from Manchester United and Middlesbrough's Matthew Bates.
Ritchie said that he was advised by three different sources not to recruit Kazim-Richards.
"I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson about Jones and he wanted the lad to start games. At that time our midfield two were playing all right and we had Colin Healy in reserve.
"I called Don Mackay at Middlesbrough about Bates. The call was never returned.
Ritchie added: "Anyway what do all those three players have in common? They're young. We need experienced players who can come in and boss the players we've got."
Kazim-Richards is now at Sheffield United, Jones has gone on loan to Colchester and Bates is joining Ipswich temporarily.
Barnsley Reserves were beaten 2-1 at Nottingham Forest yesterday.
Barnsley interest in Phil Mulryne cooled after the former Norwich and Cardiff midfielder broke down injured, lasting 20 minutes of the game before pulling up with a hamstring problem.
Grant Holt fired Forest ahead. Michael Coulson equalised before James Beaumont netted the winner 10 minutes before the end.

 

Good article, if it is true what is stated AR said.

 

Indeed

 

Cards on the table

 

RE: Round 2 to Andy Richie

Hope neither of them comes out with further comments now. Fast becoming a laughing stock down at Oakwell, and for once its not because of the onfield stuff!!

 

"We need experience".................well said Andy..............but

Its the middle of November
The season started in August

 

Two points

that do'nt make sense though,1 if he went through any other line of business and jacked it in because 1 call was'nt returned he 'd get nowhere,2 its nly recently that he has acknowledged (finally) that we need experience and has previously always shown a desire to go for younger players.

 

5 shirts, 5 pairs of pants, 5 pairs of socks.....

oh sorry thought we were washing our dirty laundry in public

 

I think SM should respond ...

... over a nice cup of tea.

My mate, who played in the same side as Kazim-Richards, says he's a trouble causing mentalist.

I think both of them should shut the **** up & sort it out in private - then release a joint statement.

We look like a right bunch of part-timers.

 

Do you do your washing once a month then

 

Shut the f-u-ck up you two

I'm trying to get some sleep.

 

I think

this board is going to the dogs. I refuse to hang around with you lot anymore.

AR: "Back me or sack me"
GS: "Win some football matches then."
AR: "No one wants to let anyone out."

laterz......................

 

RE: I think

&quot;Looking at younger targets&quot;</p>



Like a fiddler at the gates.</p>

 

Chris Morgan "too old"

 

Chris Morgan " Ideal "

 

bi-annual, it's amazing what you can do with a rotation system.

 

RE: Chris Morgan " started in the premiership on Saturday"

 

This has got to stop its all going to end in tears.