I am not saying it has been completely unwarranted or that it disgusts me, but at the same time when I really think about there is absolutely no way I'd consider getting rid of them. Both have shown real glimpses in a Barnsley shirt. Last August Ryan Hedges scored I think 4 in 5 games. He was brilliant, especially in the Forest home game where he tore their RB a new one. Amongst most supporters their was a real buzz around him (I'm sure you could dig up the archives and find a thread on BBS). His dribbling, vision & composure looked second to none. Ever since that month he was occasionally thrown into the odd game here and there often failing to make an impact. Not necessarily the sign of a bad player, most probably the mark of a player who needs a bit of time to get back up to speed. I've been saying it for quite a while now but give the lad a minimum of 5 starts in a row and we'll see what he can do. There's a class footballer somewhere in there I know it. It may sound a little silly but there was one game alone last season that convinced me George Moncur is not deadwood: Bristol City at home. Wow, what a stunning performance. To be honest it was the only time a substitution left me genuinely fuming. We had them on the rocks and even though we scored after he came off the team clearly dipped hugely. Anyway it was an example of what we all saw at the back end of the 16/17 season. When he drives forward with the ball, when he's always looking to make things happen and when he's up for it the lad is one hell of a talent. For this upcoming season we need to do all we can to get that George Moncur. Give him a kick up the backside, special coaching, a ban on dodgy haircuts. If we can get him playing like he can week in, week out over a whole season we have hands down the best player in League 1.
I'd say both have the potential to deliver big seasons for us. They're going to have to step up to the mark and graft though, not that I've any reason to doubt Hedges will. Moncur is a clever player but his last chances are running out fast.
Not sure Hedges has been subjected to the same level of abuse as Moncur. I don't mind either and think both could shine in league one. Hedges has done well off the bench so I'm hoping he'll make the next step and hold down a starting place.
In the entire squad, Mowatt is the only player I'd be confident to pin my colours to the mast for and say 'not going to do anything'. The experience of getting beaten every week will have toughened a few up, with the confidence of winning every week quite a few could easily return to the Championship (if we were to be promoted) as fantastic players. Of course the opposite could just as easily happen. Very hard to call, very exciting season.
I think both could be very influential players for us next season. I really rate Hedges and Moncur has shown already what he can do at this level.
Sorry, you've pressed my button - Moncur got what was coming. I wouldn't put Hedges in the same paragraph as Moncur. Hedges will be a solid player for us. Moncur must be told in no uncertain terms that if he can't be arsed to be in TEAM Barnsley from day 1 under the new regime, then he's history at Oakwell. I've no idea why he's been given the chances he has but as it's a new HC then ONE more chance.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion fella. Having seen every minute of every league game he's played for us I'd disagree with you 100% about the Moncur. For your one game there must be twenty where he wasn't Conference standard, let alone league 1. One of the worst players I have seen in a red shirt, slows everything down, runs into dead ends and is a perennial passenger fitness wise. Don't mind Hedges, could still go either way with him.
Oh certainly at times his application has simply not being there. But I reckon before kicking out a player we know is a real talent on his day, we should take him to one side and see if we can make things work. It is one that could really come back to bite us if we'd let him go.
Consistency is an issue granted. But when he's on it he really drives the whole team forward. Certainly has the quality to play in the championship, but then again so did Jacob Mellis. It is all about trying to hone his talents and salvage his career for the sake of George and the club.
Moncur just frustrates me more than anything, he obviously has bags of potential and some real ability. Hopefully the new coaching team can get to him and make he apply himself I really hope they do. But if we are going to press to get the ball back he is going to have to really improve his fitness. He was dead on his feet after a hour without working hard out of possession. Hedges hasn't really had a proper run and I'm not sure he has had much stick really. Just a observation that he often looked great off the bench but struggled to make a impact when starting. The drop down a league might allow him time go develop.
Moncur can’t do 90 mins well so has to come off. Hedges has the potential to be a big player for us but he’s got to deliver when he starts & not just off the bench, he’s a bit like Tomas Cwyka, has a good appearance as a sub & then everyone wants him to start the next game & then he has a shocker
I feel Hedges has a role to play but I have little hope for Moncur, who has been stealing a wage these past 2 seasons. He's been injury free for pretty much his entire time here but at no point has he looked fit enough to compete for 90 minutes. I don't understand how he can be consistently overweight given the amount of training footballers do. His diet must be atrocious. I reckon my grandma could beat him in a bleep test and she's been dead 5 years. He'll no doubt be somewhere sunny right now scarfing down kebabs like there's no tomorrow and will turn up for preseason even more overweight. I hope I'm wrong as he's a talented lad but I don't see him being able to properly contribute to a pressing based system.
To get the best out of Moncur he should have the captain's band. He has played brilliantly when he starts but if youve played yourself when you come on as sub you never get into it. I think that responsibility will push him on.
Moncur will probably start the season really well to try and earn another three year contract off us.
My issue with both is consistency. As you rightly pointed out in certain games they have done great things. Moncur was brilliant against Sunderland at home and scored a great goal and he really is a talented lad, drives forward with the ball really well and can use both feet really well. Hedges as you say had a brilliant month in August and looked a real talent, I have seen a lot less of Hedges than Moncur but still seen enough to show me that he has something there. But for all the great they have done there are more examples of bad. I remember Hedges starting a game (cannot remember which annoyingly) but he looked so frail and weak he was getting bullied about and was eventually taken off and we looked far better for it. Moncur as people rightly say on here has games where he comes on or starts in which he looks like he cannot be bothered. Both have potential to be good players but both have lots to work on before they can be considered key players for us in my opinion. Hedges needs to work on his strength and also his ability to beat a man. And Moncur needs to work on his attitude and needs to up his overall work rate as its no good showing effort and passion one game then the next looking like you're having a stroll in park.
He's done nothing to suggest he deserves the captain's armband. He has been out of shape for 2 years, always shirks tackles and cried off to Peterborough rather than knuckling down and fighting for his place. Hardly a leader of men.