It is so stupid how direct football gets hounded in the modern game

Take Simon Grayson. We want League One promotion and this guy has FOUR. 'Oh but he does not play this style so we do not want him' is what some of our fans say. Such utter nonsense!! Football is not about gaining plaudits or making friends, it is about results 100%. The best style of play is the style that gets results. Grayson has such a terrific record because he knows in the EFL tippy tappy stuff or going all out to attack often fails.


Then rewind to 2015 and look at players like Tom Pope & James Hanson. I remember some people saying they were poor footballers. Really, why is that because they don't do step overs or wear yellow boots? They were the best headers of a football outside the prem, stronger than most defenders & they scored a lot of goals. Clearly they were great footballers for these reasons but that sort of player is just not fashionable these days is it.


Stoke City under Tony Pulis: Fantastic to watch they got the ball and it was straight in the box creating chances plus they absolutely schooled teams like Arsenal. Cardiff at Oakwell last season, what a tactical masterclass from Warnock a lesson on how to win those sort of games. I see people giving Wagner's Huddersfield stick: clear jealousy for such an amazing few years is probably the main reason but seriously who cares how they play when they achieve such remarkable feats? Anyway I thoroughly enjoy watching the Terriers.


It is mind boggling seeing people judge successful teams & managers badly because of their style of play. Besides, what is more exciting watching a team pass across backline or a side doing ball in the box, ball in the box, ball in the box? The answer is obvious.

 

I'd rather watch direct football than the absolute mind numbing sideways excuse for entertainment Spain have inflicted on us.
Would I be happy to see Barnsley succeed playing like any of Spain, Denmark, Russia? Not doing anything risky, waiting for the opposition to slip up and give you your one chance. Maybe short term I could cope but if that was to be our philosophy.....no thanks.

 

It may be good if your winning but if your not the friends you’ve gained soon go .

 

Random.

 

It can only work with Akinfenwar up front Hemmsie

 

When I was younger I would have probably agreed. Winning was everything, the thought of a relegation seemed to be the end of the world. As I get older I don't seem to worry as much. I enjoying going and watching a game of live football. I'm happier when we win and things like setting ourselves up for relegation do still get to me. But as for style of football I'm not too fussed. I want effort and excitement and I agree going long/direct doesn't preclude that.

 

I'm guessing The German has got his tactics wrong before he starts then

 

As long as we score more than the other team I couldn't give a stuff what style we play.

 

Is that the James Hanson who scored once last season, or the Tom Pope who has not really made it out of League 2 ??

 

Yesterday it didn’t work & when it doesn’t it can look tedious but Spain have played some incredible football over the years. The 2012 final against Italy for example has to be one of the most complete performances in any tournament.

They play completely different to Denmark & Russia

 

I agree in general with your point, there’s too much football snobbery, very few teams below the premier league have had success playing easy on the eye football but when it’s done right like Swansea under Martinez & Fulham last season it’s better than the alternative

 

I don't think that using Warnock and Cardiff as an example really stands up. Lots of teams beat us last season regardless of style of play. Large majority had better players than us.

Stokes direct, physical approach was adopted to nullify the gap in quality between themselves and the top teams, a bit like Wimbledon back in the day, and as long as Stoke were in the prem and hosting the big clubs then I'm sure their fans would take that style of play.

I don't see any need to employ an exclusively direct style of play in league one. If sooner see us mix it up as to not make ourselves too predictable.

Barnsley fc has always been associated with passing football, and our most successful teams have been pleasing on the eye.

 

I was talking about the two in that point in time.

 

100% muscle

 

When they were at the height of their careers in League 2, and haven't really stepped up to a higher level?

 

Spot on.

 

That is why we nearly signed Tom Pope. He was one of the best in League 1 at that time.

And James Hanson fantastic player for Bradford City in League 1.

 

Yèah, I know they do. I lumped them in together more because Spain didn't have the courage to do something different.
I've still never liked their style of football though.

 

I though they’d have been better to watch this tournament than the last two with Assensio & Vazquez giving them a bit more pace & directness but it’s not worked out