View from the East Upper

I'll start by saying that I don't post all that much on here but I do read the site almost daily. Most of you probably won't agree with this but I'm going to post it anyway......

Let's have it right, no-one thought that we would get promoted this season or even in reality make a push towards the playoffs. So another season of 'beating the drop' or 'consolidation' or whatever you want to call it has always been on the cards. However, due to some bloomin good performances in patches this season we have all had a little dream of a brief flirtation with the upper reaches of the league, and dare I say it, the top 6. We have this season been how we are every season, consistantly inconsistant.

And this is the problem and will be until, well, forever I suppose. Yes at times this season we have had some shockers and no Hill isn't the messiah and has made some pretty big mistakes with team selection and playing style but and its a massive BUT some of the football we have played this season has been fantastic. I'd say the best football we have played for well over 10 years and that IS down to Hill and Flitcroft whether the detractors like that or not. To say we have had the creative heart ripped out of the team losing Vaz Te, Butterfield and Drinkwater (although I think that Smith is a pretty able replacement) is a HUGE understatement. The managemnt have effectively had to build 2 different teams this season, one before Christmas and one after and for that they should be applauded not castigated for being useless for bringing in 'lower league sh**e' as the bloke behind me regularly tells me.

This summer should see some pretty big changes in personnel. Butterfield will go whether we want him to go or not. Andy Gray has been a good servant but needs to be moved on, Jay Mac is probably one of the worst footballers I have EVER seen so needs to go and there are probably a couple of fringe players that will go as well freeing up at least a little bit of budget. We need to sign players, the fans know that, the manager knows that, the chairman knows that, but without the money everyone's hands are tied. Although if we were to sign a couple a centre back and a centre forward would do nicely.

Thats probably enough to be honest. Agree, disagree, do what you want it makes no difference.

 

Fair summary imho.

 

Hill will build another strong team to replace Drink/Butter/Te but my worry is when those become good they will be leaving and he will have to build for a third time, thus we will never get any consistancy.

 

It may make no difference to you, mate

But I like the cut of your jib. I'm hoping the likes of Tonge & Cotterill will provide the creativity and guile between now and the end of the season. Hopefully, some of the younger lads from the Academy can also make a positive contribution.
As for next season, I have confidence in Hill & Flitcroft putting together a squad of players that will make us competitive in the Championship, even with a tight budget in place.

 

Fair assessment , there's a couple of other negatives but I wouldn't want to upset Hills Happy Clappers.

 

Fair assessment that, can't disagree with it.

 

Thats pretty spot on. With the wholesale changes and new management team coming in, many on here were content to preserve our championship status, and we're already just about safe with a third of the season left to doing that.

Losing Butterfield to injury was a huge blow and his influence on passing and driving forward especially so.

I think we're going to see a huge change in personnel in the summer. Partly because so many players are out of contract. Preece and Potter I'm sure will be in search of a new club. I'd be amazed to see Butterfield re-sign for us (however much i think it would benefit him and us). Gray and McEveley are big earners and squad players at best, so it would make sense to see them moved on to free up resource to afford players who could have a better impact on the first team. Same with Doyle, i'm sure he'll be released.

I'd expect O'Brien to be offered a new deal, his workrate and spirit would be a big loss.

And then we have Foster, and also Hassell (i know Whitey has said he's not out of contract, but having looked online, the only contract articles I've found show him signing a four year deal in 2008 running to summer 2012, but happy to be proved wrong). You could say it's harsh letting either go, but I don't think Hill is happy with the defence at all and the two mainstays of our back 4 for the few years have deals about to expire, and I can't see him being sentimental about keeping names the fans are familiar with.

 

New broom sweeps clean.

 

Quality, accurate post The Ted.
And Danny's Lovechild, Bobby has until 2013. Trust me, am not a doctor

 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5154134,00.html

Not that i treat Sky as gospel, far from it... but I've not seen any other mention of an updated contract thereafter or mention of a deal to 2013.

 

I`ve got him down until Summer 2012 as well and cant recall any contract extension.

 

Proof, were it needed, that all of the most erudite Barnsley fans sit in the East Upper.

 

I prefer the anger and blind bigotry of the Ponty.

 

Just make sure that's your last post ted cos we don't want any more of those fair assessment post on ere

 

Plagiarism!!!

http://v2.barnsleyfc.org.uk/showthread.php?164235-Consistent-inconsistency.

 

You ego maniac.

 

Yeah there is plenty of articles online of him being out of contract this summer, but I can't even find one that says he's got until 2013. Far as i'm aware we gave him a four year contract in 2008 that's due to run out.

 

So it should be interesting then come the summer..

2013.
Ive had it told from the horses mouth. In person, as well as hearing him state it on WAB, and radio piglet.
In fact, am sure there will be links to those 2 interviews online

 

Keep posting "the ted" a thoughtful well composed report but a tad hard on Jay Mac which was a little extreme to say the least. We have had many players much worse I assure you, but I agree he should be moved on.

 

The view from the east upper is great but there aren't half some grumpy, negative gets who sit there. give me the ponty every time.

Great, considered post, the Ted