To Panic or Not to Panic? That is the question.......

With all the movement so far in this off season it puts most fans in a pretty tricky spot. A lot on here will have done just as I did and renewed a season ticket out of blind faith and love for our club. At the moment it remains to be seen if that decision is fully vindicated. From where I'm sitting the club has done a few things right and a few things wrong so I'll break this down into pro's and con's. By the way if you're not a fan of reading, stop now!

Cons.

1. We are blatantly short of money for wages. It appears that a few of the more seasoned pro's that we do actually have are commanding a large chunk of our budget. In reality, I'd have loved to have seen Steele, COG and Cranie stay, however, it just doesn't look to be possible. Getting Kennedy off the wage bill is imperative as he's a big drain and a very poor player. On this subject, why give Steele away?! He's worth something, anything, even a nominal fee that would keep Rimmo in the kit room is beneficial to the club. I can understand selling COG, especially if it is for the 500k that has been mooted. That should help bring in a couple of players.

2. The communication out of the club is abysmal. Nothing on player from Italy, the news about Steele coming out hours and hours after it's announced on twitter, and even then it we claimed he hadn't gone. No obvious clear strategy for next season.

3. It is vital that we bring a number of academy players through this year, even if only to sell on and swell the clubs coffers a bit. HOWEVER, we cannot go into what is a very tough and physical league relying on 10 or 12 untested players from the get go. They need to be blooded carefully otherwise they will lose all confidence.

4. No keeper currently is a worry. We can't start this season with two lads with little to no experience of league football.

5. I feel that Mansford and Wilson sound like stuck record with their rhetoric. Yes, I know they can't say 'here is our transfer budget and shortlist' but jesus guys don't just spout tripe for the sake of it.


Pro's

1. Boy did we need that clearout. Frimpong, Woods, Dawson, Etuhu et al were never good enough despite the protestations of 'they'll be alright in league 1'. I'm disappointed that JOB left even if it was only for his attitude and presence around the club and I do think that Cywka could have offered something in this league but hey ho we move on.

2. The players we've been linked with (IF LEGITIMATE!!!!) would be fabulous signings. The likes of Tommy Lee, GMS, Steven Crainey, David Davis, a fit Will Hoskins and Sam Winnell would be perfect for this league. You can see what Danny wants to do in terms of lowering the age to around 22-24 to build some momentum over the next couple of years. This would be interspersed with some older heads and supplemented by the kids. It is the right way. It's what most, me included were crying out for. Although this does cost money so it remains to be seen if we can do it!

3. Eternal optimism of a football fan. We'll still have a season and without a ball being kicked we're still in with a chance of promotion! Could be worse, we could be Blackpool.

A bit long winded I know but I've got no-one else to tell as my mrs doesn't give a toss and my old man is on his holidays

 

Excellent post with some very valid points made! Firstly, do we definitely know the structure of the Steele transfer? If it has been on a free then I agree, we should have dug our heels in to get something for him. But maybe, in a perverse way, we owed it to him to not step in the way of a dream move for him after all the loyal service he has given us. Not the sort of sentiment or warm heartedness we associate with the football business I know, but maybe that was part of what was behind the deal.

On O'Grady, again we don't yet know the fee,.but you would hope it will be significant. For me, he is a player worth considerably more than £500k and Brighton undoubtedly have a few bob to spend. Let's really hope it's not another example of us selling a prize bull for a dozen duck eggs and valuing our players according to 20th century market prices.

I agree that some of the names we have been linked with are impressive,.but I.must admit I have a nagging suspicion or two! I would imagine Mackay-Steven and Winnall are players who.may be unrealistic in terms of the fee involved and the pedigree/finances of the other clubs likely to be looking at them. Is it possible that we put in tentative,.affordable and ultimately unexpectant bids in there that were loosely guarded and so made it into the media? It would certainly cheer us up a bit amidst the lack.of communication from the club or new signings in a week where two of our best players are leaving,.and has indeed made it into your thread as a positive we can cling to! After all, thered be nothing to stop us bidding for Messi and shouting from the rooftops about,.however unlikely his actual purchase might be.

Finally, I agree that I think we can see what Danny is trying to build and I definitely am behind it. A tight knit group, lean squad made up of homegrown lads and a local feel to the dressing room has always been what has brought Barnsley success and hopefully can be this time. It is the right time to give our young hopefuls a chance to prove they are worthy of our faith, and given another couple of experienced additions to dressing room, I'm really looking forward to seeing hungry academy graduates striving to establish a career for themselves.

As you say, hope springs eternal for the football fan when the league table turns a new leaf! We might just see our team in the right half of it for once!