Picture this. December 29th. Just after the Blackburn debacle. The don stands in front of a few assembled reds fans, and states: 'Weve just sacked hill. But don't be expecting a new big name, we'll offer it to someone who's out of work and someone with no record in this country, but they'll both turn it down because we're only Barnsley. So we'll end up giving it to flicker and fetching in larry lemon or whatever his name is who got the bullet from fleetwood mac so they tell me, as assistant. Between them they'll completely turn the club around. They'll lose at Peterborough on Tuesday, possibly a bit unlucky but we'll all be pretty unimpressed anyway - after that though they'll take ten points from the next four league games, and beat two championship sides in the cup in a six game unbeaten run including away wins at Hull and Blackpool. Oh and as well as that we'll sell a player for three million actual pounds, not the usual 300k and a slap up lunch at harvesters, sign a very experienced player to shore up the defence/midfield region and also two strikers, one of which will score on both of his first two appearances, despite not starting and weighing more than Barry after one of the FA banquets'. Now then. If you were in the assembled group, would you 1. Think, crikey, that sounds great. Can't wait, the don has a master plan 2. Almost have a trouser/urine related embarrassment due to the uncontrollable fit of laughter you had after listening to that tripe 3. Threaten to stick a blackies egg right up dons arris unless he, barry and PC sort summat proper out instead of being cheap 4. Assume it was a wind up and look for the cameras I don't think too many would have been in camp 1. The don and pc got lucky, there's no doubt, but who cares. There's an air around the club at the moment, positivity, collectiveness, confidence even. The last three months of hill was little more than a foul smelling, lingering ill wind. Survive or not, next season under flicker will be a pleasure to behold i reckon, whichever division. I think we'll stay up, but even if next season is in league one, I reckon Mr Flitcroft et al will put us well and truly back on the map. Haven't felt this happy as a reds fan in years, and we're still in the bottom three.
I admire your positive outlook on things and optimism that we'll stay up. Certainly the signs are unrecognisably different from only a couple of weeks ago. I hope you are right about staying up, but I'm not sure.... I hope the team can build on this "purple patch" and pull themselves away from danger, but there's still a long way to go to achieve that. If we can keep it steady at the back (i.e. injury-free and no chopping and changing) and get some goals out of Harewood and more from midfield I believe we will stay up. Just. Here's hoping.
It's incredible momentum we have right now. More than anything, to shake off the John Stones blues. The right back position continues to concern me, but who can question Flicker right now?? A point at boro will be big. The away day at MK is a welcome break from the league pressure. The 3 games after that against Wolves, Brizzle and Bolton are colossal. 8 or even 7 points from our next 4 could well see us out of the bottom 3
If we can keep it steady at back?? If we can get more from midfield, are you attending the matches mate. We cannot get more from midfield they are working their butt off helping defence and also supplying lads up front. The forwards we have in place now are more than capable of scoring. Hardwood is not scoring but again he is doing a brilliant job holding ball up and laying off. At Blackpool he was hyped up and urging the crowd on. We all need luck with Injuries, but we will soon have Dawson and McNulty back and we have Mellis and RNL plus don't forget Hassell
