FOUR positions that need strengthening .......

At the start of the transfer window I suggested 4 positions that needed strengthening.
These were:

1) A replacement for Brown - as he’s not providing enough.
Lo and behold Brown is sold ✓
And Frisere signs - but as yet he hasn’t shown much.


2) A centre back as Gerhard doesn’t seem to like Halme in that position. And playing 3-5-2 then we at least need backup.
Lo and behold Helik signs ✓
That’s no detriment to J Williams who is fast becoming a fan’s favourite.
A new centre back would enable Williams to move into his favoured position of wing back - the position currently held by Ritzmaier.


3) A replacement for Mowatt.
This position is pivotal and vital.
I would be looking for a season long loan from a Premier club - someone with experience who has dropped out of their 1st team.
Someone like Jan Molby who we had at Barnsley.
It’s going to cost dearly
But in my view it will be well worth it - as a good player in that position will ignite the young willing fast players around him - such as Chaplin, Styles, Simoes, Thomas, Williams, Ludewig.
All these players would greatly improve with a quality experienced central midfielder alongside them.


4) A tall young centre forward.
Who also needs to be quick - but who can hold the ball up and bring others into play.
A quality striker here would greatly improve the other strikers around him.
We have 3 good strikers at the club Chaplin, Schmidt, Woodrow - that are crying out for a tall target man striker that can hold the ball up.
The club needs to spend some decent money getting this player.
Surely there is a tall continental player that we can bring in for about £3 million that matches that criteria.
So far I haven’t heard of anyone who the club is looking at that fits that bill.


These IMO are the positions that need strengthening.
Some of them have already been filled.
All other players such as the young Christie-Davies are just additional to these positions.
Vast majority of money spent this season needs to be directed at two positions:
Premeir league centre midfield player on season long loan.
Tall striker - probably from a continental club.

We have the cake ....... it just needs a bit of icing.

 

1) Reverse cowgirl
2) Spread eagle
3) doggy
4) golden arch

 

Are we talking about J.Williams who is naturally right footed to play left wing back?yes he is playing on the left of a back 3 and yes all footballers should be able to play with either foot.Styles or Oduor should be long term left wing back with someone alongside Mowatt centre midfield and a target man up top and we’ll be fine. Just 2 more signings in my opinion,centre midfield and a target man.

 

Barnsley spend £3million on a striker?

I confidently predict this will not happen within the next 10 years.

 

Spread Eagle in Penistone is cheap.

 

Can't say I've ever paid made

 

Do some people not realise that there are different circumstances surrounding the club compared to when Patrick Cryne owned the club?


I think a £2 to £3 million player will happen this season or definitely within the following 2 seasons.
Individual value of players increasing year on year.
Unless of course the club gets relegated.

I’ve always thought the intentions of these owners was to establish strong links to Europe - then bring quality youngsters over from there to develop them and then eventually sell them on.
After a player is sold ploughing most of the money back into the squad so the value of the players increase year on year.
We are still at the start of that process.
But I wouldn’t be surprised to see the club pay much more for youngsters this season than they did the previous season.

 

They've been here a good while now and I haven't seen any evidence to suggest they'll do what you think, but I hope you're right.

 

Does that come with fries?

 

Different circumstances, same outcome. We still sell our best players relatively cheaply, and bring in even cheaper replacements.

Given the additional financial pressures of COVID, we’ll probably get even less when we sell, and spend even less when we buy.

 

If it is to be believed ,we did waste over a £1million on Thomas & I"m not surprised they apply caution after that bit of business , minds you hopefully he is a late developer & proves his worth , we will see .

 

Don’t hold your breath pal.

 

Thomas is one of our better players.
Give him time.

 

I think we need another striker and another midfielder who can cover ground and tackle.
If Bambo is suspended for another 12 months add another centre half.
These lads got results after lockdown let's see where we are in a few weeks.
I'd like to see us add another 2 experienced pros 25-28, the balance of the squad would then be about right. It'll take pressure off the young lads.

 

How many more seasons does he need do you think?

 

Thomas is just 21 years old.
BTW - the initial post is about positions in the team that need strengthening.

 

I always try to give time to anyone who joins us especially when they are inexperienced , however Thomas came with a hefty price tag by our standards & actually managed to go downhill as the season progressed, he made 38 appearances, but every time I watched him he failed to impress , his decision making was shocking & he is lightweight & would struggle to tackle a chip supper , he has got pace but so had Bolt & eventually even he had to give up his dream of becoming a footballer . I sincerely hope he proves me wrong & goes on to become a great player for us & while he is playing he will get my full support but I am not hopeful

 

And what about the board I think that's the first thing to strengthen or swap