So why are we crap? It's because we no longer have an identity. Once upon a time, teams coming to Oakwell for a cup tie knew what to expect. Now, we're being told we have a playing style (press) and a squad structure (young players), but we don't have an identity. All we need is a spine to the team - solid centre half (which we have), good midfielder, big lad up front.
I'm thinking that the past good Reds sides have played in a similar way. 4-4-2 solid, competitive, ball on the deck with a good centre half, midfielder and striker. We now don't seem to have a settled approach, nevermind decent players. Maybe 4-4-2 is out of fashion, but we need an identity - a way of playing.
Our identity is for when we're selling players. It's the reason Moon gets picked over Sibbick. When we sell Moon it will be from the famous academy that brought you John Stones. The famous academy didn't nurture Sibbick so he can do one,
I'm beginning to wonder the same. A few weeks ago I would have said you're in cuckoo land saying something like that, but now I'm not so sure
Nonsense, only cold hard cash means anything to these. Sell for what you can, whether home grown or not.
I think identity is something the fans look for though I doubt coaches and our board (not our current one at least) are especially bothered. When Patrick spoke of a DNA and the current owners spun that to mean a continental pressing style of football, I think they completely missed the point (though i suspect it had more to do with cheaper coaches as well). Even more so now we don't actually press. The Barnsley teams and players that have often endeared themselves to the fans have tended to have character and/or effort. Teams have been aggressive in their approach of taking it to the opposition. Even through defending. Passive teams tend to get short shrift. This team doesn't match any sort of Barnsley DNA or identity in my view. It's far too passive and accepting. It's not dynamic. It doesn't try very hard. Defending rarely looks full throttle or "over my dead body". It doesn't have much pace or trickery or invention. It doesn't even have a Perkins or O'Brien energiser bunny in there. There are plenty of examples of Barnsley teams giving it a go through the ages. This certainly isn't one of them.
Incidentally watched the film about polystyrene last week, ‘I am a cliche’. Would recommend it, not just a film for the die hard fans.
Christ. It must be bad if you're talking up Martin Woods ffs. He played about five times. He did nothing for Barnsley FC. I wouldn't have him here handing out bibs.
