Too many spectators at Oakwell

Insufficient number of fans of the club. Fans support the team through thick and thin, supporters will only go/stay if the team is winning. I think the 'spectators' are the offspring of those who didn't go in the Fourth Division days, but as soon as we reached the Premier league, claimed they had been going for years. Those who complain about Keith Hill should have been there to witness the rubbish churned out by McSeveney.

 

My Dad went in the fourth division days and says it was crap. Doesn't stop me from calling it as I see it.

 

Johnny Steel was the manager when I first started and if you think its been any different over the years you are deluded

 

Sadly I did witness the rubbish churned out by McSeveney. But if you're wanting to get down to the fans who are the root of the Club prepare for attendances as low as 2862 which was the average for the 72/73 season the season McSeveney got the sack. I can remember a gate of about 1500 for a Friday night game against Exeter City. Had we gone down from the old Fourth Division those fans would have dwindled in number too.

The Club couldn't exist on the fans you speak of and ignoring the people who do drift away and their reasons for doing so is to just to indulge in a race to the bottom of the barrel.

 

so what's your point?

 

It's 33 years since we were in the 4th division

Which, by your criteria, pretty much excludes anyone under the age of forty from being a fan and, unless we're relegated a couple of times any time soon, any chance to prove their credentials.

I just about make the grade having watched us for a couple of seasons in the basement division, but I know for a fact there are hundreds of Barnsley fans much younger than me who are far more dedicated, traversing the country every other week, while I listen to away games on the radio.

 

I just don't understand the mentality that you shouldn't demand more because 35 years ago things were a lot worse. Things have also been a lot better so why not look at that as something to strive for rather thinking ourselves lucky that we're not as **** as we could be.

 

Our old Man's being going since 1953

And said it was sheeite yesterday.

I've been to matches with less than 3000 there and thought after Forest equalised it was as bad as anything I've seen.

You don't have to be a glory hunter (pmsl if there are any Reds fans that are 'glory hunters') to be a bit ****** off with a total collapse at home.

 

Re: Our old Man's being going since 1953

Worst performance i've seen was in League 1 when we got hammered 6.1, hopefully never again!

 

Re: Our old Man's being going since 1953

Allan Clarke (2nd time), Bobby Collins, Glyn Hodges, Steve Parkin, Davey, Spackman - all served up stuff as bad as, if not worse than yesterday.

 

Also

Witnessed humiliating defeats by three of our best managers:-
7-0 at Reading 1979 during Allan Clarke's first spell;
5-0 home to Newcastle 1983 under Norman Hunter;
5-0 home to Birmingham 1995 under Danny Wilson.
Yesterday was bad. Players who have performed exceptionally well for us this season were really off form & had poor games (Golbourne, Dawson, Stones, Perkins, Cywka, Mellis). I believe this loss of form is temporary. It would also be a great help to the manager if the Oakwell medical staff got more of our injured players off the treatment table and made them available & fit for selection for the first team.

 

Re: Also

Agree about loss of form, esp Cwyzka and Golbourne who have been muck down last 2, but that can be addressed. What really worries me is the length of time our absentees have been out - how long is Silva going to be missing for example ? Our lot have 6 months out with a broken toe nail ffs.

 

That's the biggest concern for me

Not only the inability to get our players fit after injury, but what appears to be misinformation getting released. Hill said the other week he only allowed Collins & Edwards out on loan as he was told McNulty, Foster & Cranie would be fit and available for selection after the international break. Only Foster was fit. Steele's injury was only properly diagnosed in the Summer, even though he was injured last season. No news on Digby, or Silva. At this rate, we won't see Davies back before the New Year!*










* This last point is simply me being childishly sarcastic.

 

Re: That's the biggest concern for me

I'm told Digbys going to be out for the season. Got a hip problem and whilst he's growing he will just keep getting injured. He's had the problems for a few years. It's because he's growing at at such a rate.

 

Re: That's the biggest concern for me

Personally I'd get both Collins and Edwards back, esp if Crainie's going to be absent for a while. Not in order to replace the whole back 4 but to give myself more options when we come up against the better attacking teams.

Need to seriously have alook at the medical set up at Oakwell imho, you can't prevent some injuries, but we're just taking the **** at present - it's knackering our progress up.

 

If that's true

Then it wouldn't harm the club to let the fans know of the situation. Accurate assessment for a return to full fitness for our injured players wouldn't go amiss, either.

 

Re: If that's true

Agree big lil but that's what I've heard. Silva played yesterday I think. So did o'brien

 

You've hit the nail on the head

The more options we have, the easier it becomes for the manager to alter his personnel with regards to loss of form, or opting for a different game plan.

 

Re: That's the biggest concern for me

I Think carnie was training yesterday. It was a long way away but I think it was him with chris sedgwick