The Things That Ben Didn't Tell Us

I rate Ben big time, and I wouldn't have expected him to be anything but positive in today's interview. But to my mind there were a number of issues from what he said, and more importantly, what he didn't.

1. Manager
He actually shed no light on whether Danny actually will be with us next season. I guess like everyone else Danny will have to take a 'haircut' if he wants to stay with us, and should any other offers come his way, he'll have some thinking to do. If I were in doubt about renewing next season though, it'd be of some importance to me.

2. Recruitment
There seems to be some anxiety about whether the likes of Steele, Jennings, Cranie and O'Grady will stay with the club. So far as the latter two are concerned, I'd be more worried that they will. I can't see why anyone who watched Cogba and Professor Cranie this season would have judged them to be up to Championship class. Jennings has shown some promise, but has been inconsistent. Lukey has prevented a bad season for us from becoming a terrible one. He'd be on my list if I was a Championship manager, but those who have only studied our scores may not have realised his worth. So there's the possibility that we might be stuck with them all - on their Championship contracts - which will limit the club's ability to bring in anyone else.

3. Chairman
Ben rattled on about PC's support. But it is Patrick's desire to cut our costs that led to the appointment of the Chuckle Brothers, and hence our present predicament. Will he spend to get us back in the Championship when he was reluctant to do so to keep us there? It's well-documented that he was open to offers for the club when our value as a member of the Championship was higher. He'll not get so much now - so why will he pump more money into the club? [And I totally accept it's his right not to.]

4. Sponsorship
Ben is very savvy, commercially aware, and has experience to match. But our allure to potential sponsors can only have declined in view of our relegation. So it will be difficult to make up the shortfall in our finances this way.

5. Season Tickets
Ben is encouraged by the renewal rate thus far. But to be honest, it's the dedicated hard core that have renewed so far - let's face it they'd be daft not to with the discount on offer. The next stage ('floating voters' - myself included) will be more important in determining what the club has to play with financially. If we wouldn't renew for a discount, why would we for more dosh? And why would new ST holders be attracted when the product has diminshed? So I think the end of the Summer will be the time to judge the success of ST sales.

Of course, positive answers to some of these questions might improve sales, but for the moment, I think Ben is being sucked into the dark hole of uncertainty. And for that reason, I'm less upbeat than usual about our prospects.

 

Too deep for me tbh but point three is taken out of his hands in l1 he can only spend 60% of income

 

Good points Mr Kaht.

I have a question too. Talking the talk is fine Jason(Mansford), but when are going to stop talking and start walking the walk?

Hth

 

We actually looked better with the mvoto nyatanga partnership.. Thought we weakened when Crainie came back

 

Oh and another thing Mr O Kaht, get thisen a season ticket. I have done today and feel wonderful about it! Plus if I have to watch the tossers then so should everyone else!!

 

I agree about Crainie. He's good, but not that good. Nyatanga and Big Jean should be easily good enough in League One, if Nyatanga can stay fit of course.

But if we don't get shut of our best players, our kids and a couple of decent free transfers supplementing them should see us with one of the best teams in the division. We just need to find a different way to play than lumping it to O'Grady's head.

 

I was beginning to think it was just me that thought that !! Having read on here all season about how good he is !
I am not certain it was just coincidence that we have lost the last three with Cranie in the team and Nyatanga out !

 

I rate both O'Grady & Cranie. However, it seems I'm in the minority on here for doing so.
Good. I prefer it that way. The more they're criticised, the more I'll rate them.

 

In sure he said Wilson will be with us next season as its what Wilson wants. What he was less certain was his back room staff.

 

Thing is Mr Reev, I don't have to - my Yorkshire Racing Season Ticket often throws up competing attractions! I don't think I could stand another season of watching this lot if, as I suspect, we're stuck with most of them! Bejasus, it only cost me £23 to watch Rocket Ronnie make two centuries on Setdi. So there's lots of competition for my buck out there.

 

Can't blame certain players like O'Grady etc as you need all players to perform for the team to flourish and they have been unable to bear fruit not because they weren't bothered or cared but because their labours weren't backed by a lack of quality or __________insert your own.

 

Sure that wasn't "if it's what Wilson wants"? By which he probably meant "if it's what Wilson wants on less money than he's getting now".

I remember renewing before by deadline day only to find Wilson gone within the week.

 

Am I being a bit thick here? I always thought Okart and thereev were the same person? Its taking it to the extreme talking to yourself in the same thread! Its a bit like watching a budgie with a mirror.

 

Really. Didn't go up on Saturday but all the other games since his return he's been very good.
Charlton did little wrong as did M'Voto.
Thought he played well against Leeds, won headers and he's always very good on the floor.
Derby, good again. The back four got tested but he was the one that came out of it looking good. Two poor long range shots went in. If after 20 minutes the home team are habing pot shots from 20 plus yards then as a back 4 you should be pleased.

He's the one I want the club to keep.

In order it would be
Cranie
O'grady
Jennings

 

you talk like you are this important person with your floating voter and and competition for my fecking buck.

If you want to back them do it, if you don't stop moaning.
On the receipt I got today it doesn't say to watch Danny Wilson nor does it say Martin cranie or Chris O'grady. It says BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB.

ps. Ben does NOT have to tell you anything.

 

If we can get good coin for him Hemmsy, I wouldnt be overly bothered to see him go. If we cant get coin and he stays, that wouldnt bother me either. He's an ok defender, but he's not the rolls royce defender that many people would have you believe.

 

Not trying to be a wum or start an argument with you but I think he's class. Can also play in a number of positions. CB RB DM

 

He's waiting to be told what is happening with DW....

 

I played centre half for a long time hemmsy, so Ive a reasonable idea what to look for. Whilst his positional play and pace are pretty good, he doesnt dominate centre forwards in the air or on the ground like I'd want him too. Nor does he play in a defence that is organised, well drilled and disciplined, which as captain you would expect him to take the lead in. He's played in a defence that for the most part has had to have one or sometimes two holding midfielders sat five yards in front of it and that says everything. I want strikers turning up thinking "I'm not going to get anything from Crainie today, I'll just go through the motions", but for most part, I bet they are rubbing their hands in anticipation.