Way I see it its a no win situation

(literally!) if Ritchie isnt offered a new contract then he's going to be unsettled and perhaps it will unsettle the players and he will not have the same bargaining power to bring in new players ( not that hes been that active previously like).
However with the run of results and the same old mistakes and excuses week after week how can the chairman even contemplate giving him a new contract, any one of us as outsiders looking in on any other club in the same position would say he would be crazy to with 8 months still left anyway.
So really the only way forward seems to be back him or sack him

 

Shepherd is trying to keep the blame off himself - he is playing games

At the end of the day he is saying in the media that he, as Chairman, is making money available for transfer, but he is pointing the blame at Ritchie, and he is undermining the cohesion of the team as a result. The fact of the matter is, Shepherd is not making as much money available as he would like the fans to think, he is not trying to sign the players that Ritchie would really prefer, and instead of being decisive, he is playing the 'Will  I? Won't I?' game about sacking him. All this distracts from the nightmares we're having on the pitch, and keeps the pressure on someone else other than Shepherd (at least in his own mind). He's been far too fast to get in the media and say 'It wasn't me'. I haven't got time for that - he's a splitter. Let me be clear - I'm not having a pop at Shepherd for not getting his cheque book out - it's the political gamesmanship. </p>

FFS Shepherd, get your finger out. You know it, the fans know it, Ritchie appears to know it - Ritchie's place at the club is surely untennable now. Why not make a decision - and lets get on with it.</p>

 </p>

 

RE: Shepherd is trying to keep the blame off himself - he is playing games

How can you be so sure that everything Ritchie says is for real but everything Shepherd says is "Political gamesmanship"? Do you have access to every conversation between the two parties in question?

 

RE: Shepherd is trying to keep the blame off himself - he is playing games

Where did I say that everything Ritchie says is true?</p>

To be fair - Ritchie says a lot less than Shepherd and always more guarded in his comments (hence the repetition of none contentious statements such as 'we were unlucky', 'we have been trying to get players in on loan' etc etc - so speaks a man who is looking to avoid a confrontation). In comparison Shepherd is openly courting a confrontation. It almost got to the point of a head to head on radio Sheffield. </p>

Shepherd's claims are less than logical. As Windy has pointed out before -Ritchie must be the only manager in the football league who is having money thrown at him but not wanting to spend a penny (not likely). Shepherd is suggesting names of players that Ritchie has turned down or failed to sign even though the money was there - none of these players fit the criteria that Ritchie has suggested that he wants (i.e. experienced quality). When Shepherd is asked 'Why won't Andy Ritchie take these players?' he responds with a feeble 'I don't know'. ********. This is highly unlikely. Shepherd knows that Ritchie (and the fans) has asked for experienced quality in key areas. Is this the reason why Ritchie doesn't want nineteen year olds from Middlesborough or Manchester United perhaps? Just because they're from Boro or United, doesn't make them good players - we need experience. Shepherd doesn't want to face the fact that he isn't what he is making out. I would respect Shepherd more if he came out, shoulder to shoulder with his manager and said 'We have limited resources. We want to sign experienced top flight professionals at the tail end of their careers, but we can't afford the wages'. I'd have more respect for Shepherd if he kept his own council and said nothing at all. </p>

I'm not saying that Ritchie is without blame, or that he tells everything straight - each man will tell a story inclined to reflect positively on themselves - but I do have a problem trusting a Chairman who comes out into the media with a slanted version of events and stabs his manager in the back, but doesn't have the nuts to actually let him go. It's not good business practise. </p>

 

RE: Shepherd is trying to keep the blame off himself - he is playing games

With respect BRF, Ritchie knew in his heart of hearts that we needed experience from the word 'Go'
It was obvious last season to all and sundry and has become glaringly obvious this season, yet only lately has he been talking about bringing in 'experience'
His stubborn refusal to bring in experienced players from the beginning may cost us our Championship status as the players have been crying out for it too. Ask anyone who went to the last Supporter's meeting when Richards and Reid attended. They both spoke of the need to bring in players but Reid said it was difficult trying to get the Manager to come round to their way of thinking. Richards spoke of his need for competition for his place as he knew every game he would be substituted round about the x minute and that Tommy Wright would come on and take his place. Richards said he was 'desperate' for competition
Competition for places is so important and yet the first 11 know there is no real competition for their place and eventually they will drop into a comfort zone as we are witnessing now.
Itwas obvious to just about everyone except Andy Ritchie that experience was needed and yet the Board did back his decision to go with the current crop of players so they could be given their "chance"
It is patently clear now that they need help and this has not been forthcoming.
Eventually morale and team spirit will suffer as the team adopts a 'losing mentality' which is exactly what is happening now.

 

Tina's said it all, I can't add to that ...

except to say that IMHO, Ritchie is now clutching at straws and latching on to the "experience" card that everyone else has wanted him to play since last summer. He even stated at one point that Morgan was too old for his plans, or words to that effect. How much "experience" are you going to get from players who are still in their early twenties.

 

Experienced players will not play for peanuts.

Maybe Ritchie has had no other option given the funds and wages available. GS has offered youngesters to AR but how many experienced players has he found who fit the current budget?

 

Excellent Post Tina

Agree with EVERY word, people on here want to blame the board but the board are REAL Barnsley Fans, Its Ritchies "stubborness" and "inflexibility" which has put us where we are now. I am a manager and i live and die by my performances of my sales team, Ritchie has to carry the blame for "HIS" players efforts.

 

Tina, I agree.

I am equally frustrated with both Ritchie and Shepherd - who are equally inexperienced in their respective positions. Ritchie was a successful player, a high quality centre forward who I always rated, now making the jump to management. Shepherd is a highly successful business man who is used to making a financial success of his own projects, now turning his hand to football (which is a very different industry altogether and not for the risk averse by any means). </p>

Ritchie has his short comings - which are reflected in the strengths and weaknesses of the squad - but my point orginally was that none of this justifies Shepherd pissing up his back so publically. Shepherd is trying to make it look like it is all Ritchie's fault, when really Shepherd is as much to blame.</p>

 

RE: Tina, I agree.

The Board are totally blameless in respect of the teams position, I have it first hand from regional sports journos about the "issues" and "disagreements" at the club and believe me if any one is the first to throw his dummy out during any "constructive" discussions its Ritchie.
I think you will find that the Ipswich game coming up will also be measured on the fans performance and mood as much as the performance on the field.