Why?

I'm certainly interested in your views regarding tactics. At the same time, I hope you will respect other people's contrasting views regarding players. In that spirit, could you explain what you mean in terms of a 'loose cannon' player and when one might be effective?

 

Bobby does a lot more than just that. Did you see him against Leeds?

 

Impressed that we have someone on here who knows more about the performances of Digby than the England manager at his level...

 

It is my view that McCourt is a loose cannon because he is not a team player. He plays on his own. His runs are not made with any intention of setting up a team mate. They are made with the sole intention of scoring a goal for himself. Comments have been made on here about team mates not making runs when he has the ball, but he is impossible for a team mate to predict, and therefore the timing of runs into goal scoring positions is impossible.

Nevertheless, I do think he is worth a place on the bench because he offers something that no other Barnsley player offers. In the unlikely event that we have a substitute left with 15 minutes to go (because of current general lack of fitness) and we are chasing an equaliser or winner, then Paddy may be the ideal man for the job.

 

No, I didn't. I only go to home games, and those are the only ones that I comment on.

 

I assume that the reason DW did not do this is the Coventry debacle, but when I saw the team, this is also what I had expected.

 

No worries.

Do you have Barnsley Player?

If so, I urge you to watch the first 45 minutes on there of that Leeds game. Bobby was not only an extra centre half, he was bossing their attacking midfielders, helping out the full backs, and driving forwards from deep, which resulted in many of our better attacking moves. He flashed a volley just wide from 25 yards, and his passing both under pressure and in space was bob on, with either foot.

His display was so good I think it injured him.


In the same game, Nyatanga looked a lot more solid at left back, but he rarely got forward. He was more of a spare centre half at times. And Etuhu looked a beast on the right wing when he came on. Seriously.


Our fitness is definitely an issue. I agree with you. As is consistency. I think only Cranie and COG are pretty reliable every week in terms of what we expect of them. Others are up and down. Or, up for a while then crash again.

We're Barnsley, though. I've rarely known owt else.

 

OK then I'll respond. My opinion is 100% opposite to yours. Paddy McCourt makes loads of passes with the intention of setting up chances for teammates. Like many attempted "killer" passes, many of them don't come off, but that doesn't mean he doesn't attempt them. He's got a couple of assists in this way this season.

You appear to claim he simply goes out on the pitch and does nothing until he gets the ball, then he sets off on a run which ends when he either scores or loses possession. I'm sure you don't really mean that but if you do we'll just have to agree to differ.

Personally I wish he was playing as he's worth the entrance fee on his own. It's sad when someone with his ability cannot get in the side. Opinions, opinions!

 

McCourt would have fitted the role Shea ended up playing last night. Not that I'm knocking Shea at all, I thought he had a good game; and had every right to take a shot near the end instead of passing to Cywka.

 

Ah a part time fan explains a lot...

 

Paddy McCourt has created more goalscoring chances in the Championship this season than any other player, without one of them being converted. According to Opta stat guy on twitter. 26 apparently.

 

Sadly I do not have Player either. However I am quite willing to take your word for things. Do you think Bobby should be offered a contract for next season ? He will be 34 in June and seems to spend a heck of a lot of time injured.

Personally, I think that he should get his coaching badges. I would welcome some new blood in the academy, especially smeone who has played the game at a good level with a reputation to match.

 

Patrick McCourt: Has created more chances (26) than any other player without an assist in the Championship this season #BarnsleyFC

 

He's already doing them, already coaching at Oakwell after hours.

But he'd get another deal from me, definitely. His recent injury is down to bad management from Flitcroft. In my opinion.

 

From the age of 15 to the age of 21 I was one of the few who traveled to most away games. This was in the sixties and early seventies when we played in the old third and fourth divisions. However, John McSeveney broke me of that, and I like to think that I am now not only much older, but also much wiser. To tell you the truth, it made me miserable, and I can see the same symptoms in much of the away support now. I accept that that makes me a part-timer in many eyes, but in my defense, I only comment on games that I have seen.

 

Don't talk tactics on here. You'll get mocked because the gallery is more interested in slagging whipping boys past and present, especially Perkwiseflitkenncroft. Signing only players on short-term deals with obvious fitness issues, none of whom will be here next season, and scabbing a point while playing half of the team out of position is a strange kind of wonderland. Bottom line is if we don't get at least three wins out of Wednesday (away), Donny (away), Millwall (home) and Charlton (away) we'll be knackered by the end of February. For that to happen hope would have to trounce expectation.

 

You alright, Flicker?

 

I'm not sure. One of symptom of getting older as a footballer is that the body can no longer take the level of training it takes to get fit enough to play for 90 minutes at the level of effort and commitment required. Even allowing for some white lies on both sides, Bobby spent a lot of the reigns of Hillflicker on the treatment table. It is a young mans game and Bobby is no longer a young man.

 

I'm a fan of Paddy but that statistic is absolutely meaningless and proves nothing.