A FLICKER OF HOPE?

In charge at Oakwell for just over a month if we're including his initial stint as caretaker manager, David 'Flicker' Flitcroft I feel has well and truly won over the majority of Barnsley supporters, myself included. 

I am typing this directly after another victory, whilst helping myself to a rather large helping of pie - of the HUMBLE variety! 


We've just completed our third victory of an incredible week, which has seen us close the gap on our relegation rivals, progress into the next round of the FA Cup, and plenty of activity in the transfer window. 

It's never dull following the Tarn... 




The incredible seven days began in Humberside where the reds dumped Hull City out of the FA Cup, thanks to a Chris Dagnall effort. 
Unlike most of the performances seen thus far under Flicker, it was a scrappy affair, and a more battling Barnsley display, largely inspired by the returning Bobby Hassell. 

Recent target for the boo-boys, Scott Wiseman also made his return to action that day, and was given a decent reception from the travelling reds supporters as relations between both parties improved. 

As ever, I went into Sunday praying for a glamour tie in the next round. But as ever, I was left disappointed as we were drawn away at the franchisers, MK Dons.. 

But on reflection, it's a very winnable tie. And then, we're just a game away from another Wembley trip. 

Daggers did for Hull

It was back to league action on the Tuesday, as the reds entertained Millwall under the floodlights of Oakwell. 

The day previous, Flicker had made his first signing of the January transfer window by snapping up experienced striker Jason Scotland on a six month contract, recently released by fellow Championship strugglers Ipswich Town. 

The man from Trinidad had to settle for a place on the bench, as did both Hassell and Wiseman, as Flicker brought back Stephen Foster into central defence and recalled young John Stones at right wing-back. 

The first half saw another spirited, battling display from the reds, but the Millwall rearguard were rarely troubled. 

However, the reds came out all guns blazing after the break with the lively Jim O'Brien and David Perkins very much to the fore. And it was the sheer endeavour of the former which proved the catalyst for the opening goal. A throw in earned by O'Brien after closing down Millwall keeper David Forde eventually found Perkins who found Marlon Harewood just outside the box and his prodded through-ball released Dagnall who had timed his run to perfection before clipping the ball past the advancing Forde to send the Ponty End delirious. 

This was Dagnall's fourth goal in as many games - never thought I'd ever get the chance to type that! 

Soon after, Harewood's decent shift was ended as he was replaced to warm applause by new man Scotland. And within ninety seconds or so of being introduced the former Swansea City top scorer made the perfect impact. 

After a great 30 yard run into midfield, Perkins released the ball into Scotland's path, and from just inside the Millwall box he controlled it immaculately before rifling it into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 Barnsley. 


It was another victory, and another clean sheet - three from three at Oakwell since the departure of Keith Hill. And as he used to say, "clean sheets are King..." 

The power of Scotland

Two days later though, and the optimism built up among the fanbase diminished slightly as Everton won the race to sign Stones in a deal thought to be worth up to £3,000,000. 

It's hard not to be downbeat though, as it's every January that we're robbed of our supposed 'star' players. But at least on this occasion the club appear to have got somewhere close to a decent fee. 

In an ideal world we'd not be selling the boy, or we'd ask for a ridiculous price and see what happens. But there's nothing ideal about the world that Barnsley FC finds itself in right now. Like it or not, we're in a real battle to avoid the dreaded drop into the lower leagues, and we haven't the finances or attendances to turn down good money. Good money that will go a long way to balancing the books at Oakwell whether we retain our second tier status or not. 

Also, taking off my rose-tinted spectacles for a moment, we're talking about an 18 year old kid here. An 18 year old kid who has played something like 25 games for us over a short period of time. I'm not trying to downplay John's ability, his talent, but imagine we'd turned down the offers, and like Jacob Butterfield last season he picks up a season-ending injury... 

Imagine he never gets himself back to the same level of performance. We all remember how things ended for Luke Potter don't we? Another highly-rated product of our Academy who was forced to retire after a succession of serious injuries. 
I'm not saying a similar fate will or would have affected Stonesy, but I'm sure the decision makers at Oakwell had this - and other things - in mind. 

Then there's what the boy wanted. And by all accounts he wanted to leave, he felt the chance to go to a big Premier League club was a chance he couldn't turn down. And who can blame him? A five and a half year contract on undoubtedly good money was probably a factor, too. 

Football is a risky business. I only ask that my club does it's best in these particular instances to get the best for itself and it's fanbase. 
Far too many deals in recent times have favoured anybody but BFC. And it's certainly a key factor in our declining attendances. 

I'm quite satisfied with the Stones deal, so long as there actually is a sell-on clause, and we get first dibs on any potential loan away from Goodison Park for the lad in the future. 

Good luck to Stonesy at Everton

It was also quite refreshing to see an almost universal feeling of pride among the Tarn fans in reaction to young John's departure. Far too often when we lose a player there's a feeling of angst which seems to develop into something bitter. 

Of course, there have been a few players who have left Oakwell on a sour note and to me they're fair game. I'm looking at you Jason Shackell, and you Daniel Bogdanovic. 

But when a young lad progresses through the ranks at our club and ends up being the standout player, I'd suggest they're entitled to do what they think is best for their career and their family at the time. It's not for us to say whether they were right or wrong, as we're not privy to everything that goes on behind the scenes. 

I just hope that in a few months time, if Stonesy isn't making the Everton first team, or he ends up on loan to a different Championship club, we retain this feeling of pride. Proud that another product of our Academy did well for us whilst here and in turn earned the club good money. 

The Mido experiment came to an end at last

Other Oakwell departures this week, included the expected mutual termination of Egyptian striker Mido's contract. 
Brought in last Summer as our 'marquee' signing, he leaves now making the impression that 99% of football saw coming a mile off.. 


Another player whose contract was cut short this week was that of Lee Collins. The only player that we paid a fee for this season found his chances to be few and far between, and so it's hard to judge his time here. But I wish him all the best in his future career. 

We all said goodbye - for the time being - to Matty Done, who has joined Scottish Premier League outfit Hibernian on loan until the end of the season. Good luck to the lad up there, and hopefully he regains some of the ability he showed in patches last season. 


As for further incomings, we finally got our man, as our long invested interest in Chris O'Grady bore fruit as Flicker captured the big centre forward from rivals Sheffield Wednesday on loan until May. 

The replacement for John Stones seems to be Irish international and long throw specialist Rory Delap. At 36 he's no spring chicken, but I'm sure his experience and versatility will aid us in our fight for survival (and a Wembley outing). 

The final piece of business - for now - was the 18 month deal handed to 21 year old defender Andrai Jones. I know absolutely nothing about the lad, other than what I've read online, but I'm guessing he's another one of these 'developmental' players that we 'may' see in the future, ala Toni Silva, John Rooney etc. 

With the loan window reopening shortly, I expect Flicker to strengthen still further. 

Fingers crossed all of his recruits make a similar impact to that made by Jason Scotland... 

Andrai Jones

And so we come to today, and our pleasurable day out in Blackpool. 

The reds made just the one change, with the incoming Delap replacing the outgoing Stones, while there were places on the bench for Scotland and O'Grady. 

I was unable to attend the game as I'm currently in the middle of moving house so I had to rely on the commentary from Barnsley Player, wonderfully provided by Matt Bailey and Adam Brammer, as always. 

By the sounds of it we were second best for much of the game but our defence again held firm and we took our chances when they arose. 

The sending off of Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks proved costly for the hosts, as at that point of the game there seemed only one winner. 

The reds took the lead through Jim O'Brien, assisted yet again by Marlon Harewood who was bizarrely booed upon his return to Bloomfield Road. 

The hosts equalised early in the second half, that man Tom Ince with his latest goal in a remarkable season. 

The introductions of O'Grady and then Scotland made a difference for us, and it was the latter who went on to grab a late winner at the second attempt, for his second goal from the bench in successive outings. 

Interestingly (or not), the last Trinidadian striker we had - Clint Marcelle - also scored on his home, and away debuts. 

Let's hope he also one day fires us to the big time, eh? 

An illuminating victory well celebrated

Considering another Championship matchday where results weren't exactly in our favour, this latest victory could prove to be as massive as that club down the road.. 

It's been a dream start for Flicker, ably assisted by Mickey Mellon and Martin Scott, and the squad of players have certainly being reinvigorated this year. I pray that this upturn in form and results proves to be more than a purple patch, and that come the end of the season we're still a Championship club, and one that's taken in another Wembley outing... or two! 

Remember you can follow me 'HERE' on twitter, where I'll keep you posted with regards to any further updates. 

Thanks for reading, and if you're one of the many Tarn supporters who have chosen to stay away for whatever reason, it would be great to see you back down on Grove Street and getting behind your club. 

Up The Tarn!