Will any of our missing players be available for next Saturday?

Hassell, Edwards, Perkins, O'Brien, Golbourne, Smith, Tonge, Gray? If not, how can we freshen things up for these remaining games and lighten some of the gloom around the place? If we bring in some of the Academy lads, will folk allow them to play without unnecessary pressure, in a relaxed manner and not expect them to automatically hit the ground running?
Personally, I'd love to see some of our young players given an opportunity to show what they can do. However, I'm also aware there's a real possibility the anger & frustration being voiced by some supporters may spill over and the kids could get caught up in it.

 

If he plays the kids and we get tonked 3 or 4 nil, then Hill will get slagged off for playing them and not the more 'experienced' players. He can't win with some on here.

 

I would d prefer to see some of OUR youngsters play than bring in players like Nouble, Dagnall etc. Give them a chance, I dont hold with the "burn out " we seem to be getting told they will suffer.
Other teams give their kids a chance, lets give ours, maybe we will have a player like Rooney, Oxlaide -Chamberlain etc. We will never know unless we try and find out.

 

Rubbish. He will not get slagged anymore than he is for bringing in Dagnall, Nouble, at least the kids are ours and not adding to the wage bill!

 

I want six more points before half the team is made up of unr 18s. Then again rather play them than the plodder from west ham

 

I agree, mate

However, my concern would be more of their reaction down at Oakwell. Will they be on the young player's backs the first time they make a mistake? Or will they get behind them, offering encouragement? The BBS is a good medium for releasing pent up negative aggression and frustration. If that was to happen down at Oakwell, though, I could understand a manager's reluctance to subject a youngster to such an atmosphere.

 

My only concern, mate

Is when a lad makes a mistake, as they will, what will be the reaction be? If they're going to be berated, then I can understand the manager's reluctance to blood them. Personally, I'd love to see these youngsters given their opportunity and, hopefully, they'll grab their chance with both hands.

 

There's no boubt

In my mind that a number of our more experienced players have to step up to the mark, something that appears to have been lacking in 2012. When things aren't going well, I expect to see these players shoulder more responsibility.

 

Re: I agree, mate

That bit my friend is what I have said for years, best place to get pent up anger out is on here, not at the Oakwell.
But it seems that even doing it on a message board is not acceptable, its happened since time immorial in the pubs and clubs, but its now deemed to be worse than Treason!!!

 

Smith, Tonge and Gray will be

They were dropped not injured.

 

I think the difference

Was that years ago if a person was talking what you considered to be ****** about the club (in the pub, for example), you could either ignore him or argue there and then. The debate certainly wouldn't go on for the length of time it does on the internet. It also seems to encourage an attitude of rather than simply expressing a personal opinion, their own view must be taken by others as absolute fact and not allowed to be questioned. Also, personal abuse on the computer is (in my opinion) totally unnecessary. If someone's point is valid, they don't need to resort to it. I work to a rule that I treat everyone in the same manner as I prefer to be treat. I won't say anything from behind a keyboard that I wouldn't be prepared to say to their face.

 

Right, mate

I didn't know that. I assumed they were either injured or ill.

 

Re: Right, mate

In his interview on player, when asked about Smith and Tonge, Flitcroft said he wanted to have a go at Southampton, show no fear and play at high intensity and that's why he went with the players on duty yesterday.

 

So is he saying those two wouldn't show that?

 

Okay

He'll know now whether his assessment was accurate.

 

I don't think he intended to criticise anyone

Just praise the attributes of the players that were selected.

 

Ok. Bizarre then that Smith on Tonge have created four out of our last six or seven.

 

Re: My only concern, mate

The bloke behind me at Oakwell couldn't help himself when Digby made his home debut. "Is this what we've resorted to? Playing academy kids? Why won't they go out and bring some Championship quality to the club. Bloody rubbish"." The usual tripe.

As soon as the game finished and the young 'un came over to the Ponty to see his family, his exact words were "Enjoy seeing him this close, we'll lose him for nowt soon. Can't keep hold of decent players here".

The young kids who get a game here will not be immune to the ridiculous stick the senior lads get just because they came through our academy. And as someone else has already pointed out, if they get a game and they're not good enough, guess who'll take the stick for picking them? Keith Hill.

 

Re: Right, mate

yet jay mceveley says we set out to try to contain them

 

I hope you're wrong, mate

But I fear you're right.