Just realised that for him having a supposed 'bad game' yesterday, it was his pass for Fletcher's first goal and his great header that found Hammill who in turn did great to work a crossing opportunity for Fletcher's second. Of Sam's 20 goals this season, 8 of them have been the difference between one and three points. So that's 16 points gained there, through match-winning goals. And so whilst I appreciate he's not the greatest striker the world's ever seen, he's not bad is he? And their keeper who was injured, what a great game he'd had to that point. Pulled off three or four outstanding saves. The ones from Roberts' header first half and Roberts' header second half were summat else. I'm still positive going into matchday 46. We've tasted success there this season already. Fingers crossed.
Very true. Ideally, in the last minute of injury time, to make it 1-0. Scenes. As the kids would say.
This is a touchy and somewhat subjective subject Whitey. What you say is true. But he did have enough other chances to have won the game on his own for us. Sam lacks pace. The ball that he got rolled over from the corner should have been side-footed. Instead he hit it full-on and lost the accuracy. He is often nearly in a position to make a telling contact. But too often just that fraction away. I spent the first half of the season thinking that he was out of his depth in League One, even though he bagged 23 for Scunny in League Two the year before we signed him. To his great credit he has improved and netted 20 for us this season. But he's an out and out striker, and can't do the running and leg work out of possession that makes a crucial difference. He will struggle in the Championship, whether that's with us or another team. What I will say though is that Sam has a first-rate workrate, and I strongly believe he adds more to the spirit of the team than the sum of his own individual play. I think that that will in time lead to difficult decisions about him, and if Hecky stays in the role, then sentimentality won't come into play. All I'll say therefore is that let's enjoy him while we can.
That was some shot. To get it straight into gangway five like that, top marks for accuracy. He's one of the best goal scorers the club has ever had. In terms of ratio. He's also second only to Conor for assists over the last two seasons. And like you say, he works so hard. When I read criticism of him, I can only assume these critics are wanting Van Persie in his pomp or perhaps Aguero? I dunno. We're Barnsley, we're in L1. We've a lad who scores nearly one in two for us, and creates for others whilst running his bag off. If he never missed and had blistering pace too, he'd be one of the best strikers in the world.
He's one of the best strikers we've had in my time of support (not that long admittedly but still) and it'll be a sad day when he leaves. Everyone is open to criticism though. Just as everyone is open to praise.
He hasn't played well recently and yesterday was his poorest game for us (imo) but he's still the best striker at the club so we can't afford to rest him. I think he's missing Watkins badly.
I agree. If someone has a stinker, it's expected they'll get stick in this modern age. But an assist, one miss of note, and one certain goal tipped brilliantly wide by the keeper, as well as being key to the build up to our second goal, that doesn't equate to a stinker. In my opinion.
No striker who scores the at the rate that Winnall has for us coupled with his level of assists and contribution to team spirit will ever get criticism from me. Initially I was unconvinced by him but he quickly won me over folks are barmy of they genuinely think we can attract a better striker than Winnall. Have they not witnessed the utter dross we have put up with in recent years.
I can't argue with any of the previous posts. I posted yesterday that I'd have subbed him and Hammill. Just the way I saw it. But I'd start the pair of them next week again. I think they're trying too hard to make things happen. I can't see how we'd easily replace either of them. Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk
I think I prefer 'balanced assessment' to 'criticism'. You're right to suggest that he's probably as good as we could hope for in our league and situation. But can I ask you straight - do you think he could cut it in the Championship? And if we're still league One (and he stays with us) can we rely on Sam or would we need an alternative and/or complement?
Balanced assessing isn't what I read though from a lot on here. OTT nonsense in the main. And I've said this before and stand by it. I can't possibly tell you whether he or any of our players could cut it in the next division. I suppose I could guess with a few, based on them once playing at that level. Being released from that level. Sold by clubs to us from that level. But it'd be just that - guesswork. I'd like to find out though.
I would imagine most people would agree that Wigan are the best equipped for The Championship and bearing in mind we've outstripped all other clubs and equalled Wigan in 2016 it looks as though results could suggest that if Wigan can cut it so can we.
I remember Brentford getting promoted and then getting in the playoffs last season, in the Championship. Look at Leicester this season too. Who saw that? I'm not daft, I'd fancy us to be towing in that division again, but I know that this summer I'd be more excited looking ahead to a season in the second tier than I would another in the third.
My problem with Winnall is not his obvious lack of pace, and neither is it his ability to take chances. It is his involvement in build up play. His touch, control and passing let down his overall game. Now I really must temper my damning assessment of his involvement in our build up play by saying that most of the time, our midfield plays too deep, and consequently, the passing to the forwards is not as accurate as it could be. However, there is also the scenario that the midfield plays 10 metres further up the field, and is willing to make runs ahead of the ball, and even beyond the forwards. In that case, any inaccuracy in the control or passing of the forwards inevitably leaves us open to the counter-attack. It seems to me that our play in the second half of this season has concentrated on not allowing that to happen. As a result, both goals scored and goals conceded have reduced, but so has the entertainment. I have blathered on at length about the danger of being promoted with a team that is not yet ready, and it is this aspect of our play that concerns me the most. Is Winnall good enough to play successfully in the Championship? Personally, I doubt it, and this is why I do not think he will be sold. I really think that managers in the Championship know enough to determine Winnall's weaknesses would make him ineligible to play there. If they do not, and are willing to pay a premium, then there are plenty with the quality that we need, provided we are prepared to work to improve them. I cannot understand this fear that grips people that if we are not promoted we lose our best players. Barnsley Football club has always traded players, and sometimes it has actually worked to our advantage. We have established a new way of working that appears to be paying dividends. In Roberts, we have unearthed a rough diamond who could one day be sold for more than Winnall and Hourihane combined. Have more faith in backroom boys who scout the players, and less in the guys who pick the team.
I disagree with some but not all..Winnalls touch..control and passing are as solid as his goal scoring attributes...only Hourihane and Watkins have more assists and bearing in mind a lot of Hourihanes will be from set pieces it doesn't suggest Winnall's overall game is weak. I do agree his lack of pace would prevent him from being a top Championship striker...having said that how many would he have scored if we'd not wasted half a season playing him on the wing or up front as a 1?
I love Sam winnall, I couldn't care less if he's good enough for the championship he *****s goals for fun at this level and works his knackers off for the team,I've watched this club for nearly 30 ******* years and in that time I've put up with the likes Andy saville, Daren foreman, John Wednesday faced turkey necked lovely person Pearson,and whole host of other useless non scoring shithouses who couldn't lace sams booits,get ****ing behind 'em, and yes I've been drinking come on you reds and ****ing sithi.
It is not his assists that I am referring to. It is his involvement in build up play. If he drops deep in order to make himself available for a pass, which he often does, he must be secure in his first touch and he must be accurate with his pass, because if he is not, our possession ends right there. If he is not secure with his first touch and accurate with his passing, his team-mates lose confidence in him and they do not make the runs that they otherwise would. It destroys the fluency of the whole team. As for our early season form, I guess that we will never agree on the reasons for that.
I see what you're getting at , and although Winnall hasn't played well for a few games (he was poor at Sheff U last week in particular) I would maintain that he has been our most effective player in the close control and short passing situations , particularly in lay offs to supporting runners. There are no stats to back this up so it's purely subjective but for me Winnall has many of the attributes the better strikers have...pace as you say though is not one of them.