We're a third of the way through this season and so I've had a look back at events so far and tried to evaluate just where we're at as we approach the busy Winter period where games will start to come thick and fast.
Before I assess the contribution of each man used so far by David Flitcroft, I'm going to put down some statistics which can be used in various ways to either support or criticise both Flicker himself and his squad of players. Enjoy yourself doing that, if you're that way out. I wouldn't dream of it myself....
~ Flicker has used 27 different players this season
~ The Reds have played 17 games (League and Cup) so far this term
~ We have scored 17 goals over those games
~ We've conceded 36 goals
~ 2 clean sheets achieved
~ 16 yellow cards accrued
~ 2 red cards
~ The Reds have won 2 games this season
~ We've drawn 6 of them
~ And lost 9
~ We have accumulated 11 points so far in the league
~ Averaging 0.73 points per game
~ The Reds have scored first in 5 of our 15 league games
~ When scoring first, we've won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1
~ We've conceded the first goal in 9 games
~ When conceding first, we've drawn 2 and lost 7
~ Our record of just 1 clean sheet, is the lowest of all Championship clubs who've played 15 games
~ We're averaging 2.06 goals against us per game, the worst record in the Championship
~ If games ended after 45 minutes, we'd have 18 points (W4, D6, L5)
~ If only the second 45 minutes counted, we'd be on 7 points (W1, D4, L10)
~ The Reds have gained 2 points from losing positions this season
~ When leading in games at half time (4 times) the Reds haven't lost
~ We've 1 point from our 7 away games, the worst record in the Championship (Yeovil next worst with 5 away points)
Some pretty horrific statistics I'm sure we all agree. It's not been the kind of season we'd all hoped for during the buzz of the Summer, where optimism returned to Oakwell for the first time in some years. The last few weeks/games have probably given those 'damn' statistics a better look, which says a lot about what has been - in all honesty - the worst start to a season I've ever witnessed. That's 25 years of football. A lot of it quite average. but yes, I'm struggling to recall a more soul destroying first third of a campaign. In fact, statistically speaking, we've to go right back to 1986 to find a poorer start. In that year, we began the season with six successive league defeats. We had to wait until the 26th September to record our first win - 1-0 away at Grimsby Town. But that season was transformed in the New Year, and in fact the Reds finished 11th in the end, losing just two of the last twelve games, and emerging victorious in four of the final five.
So there's room for optimism right there, back in the past. And if we're trying to find a similar turnaround, then we don't even have to go that far back to find some crumbs of comfort. The majority of this squad, under this same manager, were dead and buried as 2013 was ushered in. We all know what happened afterwards, so yes, this season is not over, not by a long stretch.
PLAYER ASSESSMENT
Appearances: 7
Goals Conceded: 18
Clean Sheets: 1
After a strange Summer where he was first offered just a 12 month new deal, where the manager deemed his age as the reason, Luke eventually signed an improved two year contract on reportedly reduced terms. The captain wasn't in the greatest of form in the embryonic stage of the season, as the Reds defence were shipping goals for fun. This led to Flicker dropping Steele, and replacing him with 41 year old loanee Mike Pollitt, who himself then went on to concede nine goals in his three starts.
Luke reappeared for the 1-0 away defeat against Bournemouth, but after the Reds were thrashed 5-1 by Watford at Oakwell, Flicker again moved into the loan market and in came England international Jack Butland.
We haven't seen anything of Steele since, not even as a sub, as he's apparently suffering from an injury. We're told he's had a setback every week.
Appearances: 7
Goals Conceded: 9
Clean Sheets: 1
In something of a coup, the Reds recruited England stopper Jack Butland at the end of September on loan from Stoke City, and the young keeper has been in goal ever since as the Reds defence has slowly been shored up. How much of that is down to Butland I'm not sure, as I've seen little from him to be able to suggest he's light years ahead of Steele. That's no slight on him. I've been impressed actually, and based purely on this season, I'd have to say he's looked the better keeper. But it's my opinion that having a settled side - back four especially - in front of him, has definitely helped.
I'm pleased that he's here, and in the Sheffield Wednesday match in particular I think he was near faultless and saved us from losing that one. But January will be interesting as I can't see him being here after that.
Appearances: 17
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 2
If 2012 was a nightmare year for Scott Wiseman, then 2013 has been a dream. From villain to hero. From League Two 'gash' to International footballer. You can only be congratulatory in the circumstances. The lad was wrote off by the vast majority of Reds supporters - none more so than myself - and has buckled down fantastically over the last eight months or so and is now widely considered one of our most consistent performers.
I can't get too carried away, though. He still has his 'moments' (Forest away springs to mind) and for me I think he lacks confidence in his own ability at times. But in a season that's so far gone wrong in so many aspects, Wisey is one of the shining lights. More of the same over the next six months and I've no doubt we'll be struggling to retain his services next Summer. And who'd have thunk that??
Appearances: 11
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 0
Injured in the 4-0 opening day hammering by Wigan Athletic, we had to wait until the middle of September to see Martin Cranie back in the first team. The defender signed an improved two year deal in the Summer and is widely regarded as our best option in defence. And since his return to action has coincided with our improved form - defensively in particular - you'd have to agree with that opinion.
Recently begun to strike up a decent understanding with Jean-Yves M'Voto, and without doubt the first name on the teamsheet in terms of defenders.
Similar to Wiseman in that he is prone to the occasional lapse in concentration, and also has a tendency to try doing the jobs of his full backs, but he wins plenty of aerial duels and is one of the best 'footballing' centre halves we've had down at Oakwell in recent years.
Appearances: 12
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 0
Snatched from under the nose of Doncaster Rovers in the Summer, French man mountain Jean-Yves M'Voto has had an eventful start to his BFC career. Error strewn performances throughout August, clumsily sent off away at Blackburn, and comically unlucky not to score against Huddersfield after charging 70 yards down the field like Vieira in his pomp.
I think the injuries to Nyatanga and Cranie saw M'Voto given more first team action than maybe Flicker would have liked, but it has to be said that his performances have improved of late. He's superb in the air, and no slouch. And if he can iron out the deficiencies in his game, I think we've got a promising talent on our hands. I do however believe, that he'll continue to cost us goals/games as we see that gradual improvement. He and Tom Kennedy appear to be on totally different wavelengths in matches, such is their shocking inability to hold the line in tandem.
The definitive 'work in progress' is our 'Big John'.
Appearances: 16
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 2
Another defender retained off the back of last seasons 'great escape', Tom Kennedy signed an improved two year contract and has continued to be a regular in Flicker's starting lineup. The former Leicester man was used as part of a three man defence last term, and excelled there in my opinion. However, as a left back his defensive abilities this season have been shown up rather badly. Lacks the pace required at this level to deal with the best wingers, as was shown against Middlesbrough, Watford and Blackburn in particular. Seems half asleep from dead ball situations, and his right leg is basically just for standing on (Charlton's equalizer was stoppable, had he used that right leg).
He seems to see more of the ball than any of our players, which quite frankly astounds me. We're not talking Neil Thompson or Darren Barnard here, whose goals and assists were plentiful. I'm afraid Tom is being overrated by his manager.
His corners/crossing leave a lot to be desired, and he's absolutely no threat to the opposing full back. I am a big fan of the 3-5-2 system we used so well last term, and I'd have no qualms with seeing TK as a part of that three man defence. But it's my opinion that this season, as a left back, that he's our weak link, much in the same way as Wiseman was last season, to the point now where - like Wisey was - the opposition are targeting him.
I will defend him on one point though, and that's that the player played ahead of him on the left wing is usually a waste of a shirt in terms of tracking back and helping Tom out defensively.
I know a lot of my fellow supporters don't agree with my views on TK, and it wouldn't be the first time I've misjudged the abilities of one of our players.
Appearances: (1)
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 0
Club legend Bobby Hassell put pen to paper on a new 12 month deal in the Summer, on vastly reduced terms if reports are to be believed, and that decision - on the managers part - seems a strange one now, considering the events of this season so far. Despite the ridiculous amount of goals conceded, the many injuries in defence, Bobby's sole appearance thus far was as a second half substitute in the 2-0 defeat at QPR.
I think it's great that he's still here for what is his testimonial season, but to retain him on that basis alone I find unfair, as not at any point do I think he's shown signs of being no longer good enough. He was plenty good enough the last time he was given a run of games, in fact I'd suggest he was pretty key to a fair amount of valuable points accrued in the run-in last season. And having witnessed the often dire efforts of some of the regularly selected defenders this campaign I'm left wondering just what it is about Bobby that has seen him alienated as a player by both Keith Hill, and now Flicker.
Needs just five more appearances to reach 300 in total for The Reds. At this moment in time, I fear he'll fall short of what would be a landmark to be proud of. And, I doubt I'll ever see another Tarn laiker stay here for a decade, such is modern football.
Appearances: 5
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 0
Hugely experienced Championship centre half, Peter Ramage arrived on loan to shore up the leaky Reds backline, but in his five starts for the club he looked nothing like a defender with two successive promotions from this division on his CV. We lost four of those five games.
Suffered injury at QPR, and is still thought to be a couple of weeks off a return to action. I hope to see a vast improvement from him upon that return.
Appearances: 1
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 0
Another defender who signed a new deal in the Summer, Jimmy McNulty has never really featured for a variety of reasons under Flicker, and after just one appearance in the League Cup, he was farmed out on loan to League One Tranmere, where he's currently impressing the supporters at Prenton Park.
Found his level? Or bombed out unfairly? Who knows, but I don't think we'll see him in a Reds shirt again under the current regime. Which personally I find a shame, as I've always been one of his very few admirers, and I am of the belief that he'd offer us both competition for Kennedy, and in fact a better option there at left back.
Appearances: 12
Goals Scored: 1
Assists: 0
I was hugely impressed by Stephen Dawson in spells last season. At times he looked to be the dynamic box-to-box midfielder we'd been lacking. Tough tackling, led by example, chipped in with some decent goals, too.
However, this season he was used on the wing early doors, and even when used centrally he's not come close to repeating last seasons performances.
As with a few of our players, I'm now beginning to wonder whether he's simply reached a ceiling in terms of his ability to further improve. Which again - if so - would be a shame as I've always rated him, and expected him to really kick on this season, especially when made captain.
Appearances: 9
Goals scored: 0
Assists: 0
For Kelvin Etuhu, read Stephen Dawson. Another of last seasons shining lights, who for whatever reason has failed to replicate that kind of form he showed during the 'great escape'.
However, I feel Kelvin hasn't had as many opportunities as others this term, to really form a fair opinion of where he's currently at. I do though have my own theory on why it's not quite happened for a number of our players, and I'll explain that later.
Appearances: 16
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 0
Possibly the most consistent player to feature regularly for both Keith Hill and David Flitcroft, David Perkins' performance levels - like most - have dipped in my opinion this season. Usually singled out by opposition supporters as our 'key' player, it's been difficult to agree with that opinion for much of this campaign. He's offered very little both in terms of attacking or defending, but never fails to give 100%. As I said previously, see my theory later on as to why I think he too has been less effective this year.
In terms of what he brings to the side - his graft, pressing the opposition, being a nuisance, and generally keeping things simple in midfield - it's very strange to see such a nailed-on starter, in that position, have no assists and no goals to his name.
Appearances: 2
Goals scored: 0
Assists: 0
After an impressive showing in pre-season, Paul Digby, fully recovered from the injuries that had wiped out the entire 2012-13 season was expected to feature quite regularly this time around, but after a start away at Blackpool, and a sub appearance in the 2-2 draw with Charlton, the England U19 cap has had to reacquaint himself with the development squad. Considering the lack of a player of his ilk in the first team, his exclusion is yet another baffling decision in my opinion. The then loaning of David Fox has only served to further baffle me, and I believe I'm not the only one with that concern. I'd much rather see us give a chance to one of our promising kids, than yet another Premier League cast-off. According to Flicker, Digby has lost his "footballing intelligence", but I happen to know a few footballers and they are as baffled at that remark as I am at the treatment of our youngsters.
Appearances: 12
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 3
After a fantastic first full season of football (at 21 years old, which is another by-product of modern football and it's failings), this term hasn't gone as well for Jacob Mellis. More often than not, employed in central midfield by both Hill and Flitcroft last season, Jacob's impact on the game was key to most of our 'good days' at the office. Take your pick, I can't be arsed naming the myriad matches he affected positively. Great range of passing, technically sound, creates and scores goals as well as linking brilliantly with the front two. A "Premiership quality" playmaker that Flicker would "pay to watch" apparently. So, this season he plonks him on the wing, and even though I'm a massive Mellis fan, I'd agree that his impressive displays have been few and far between. But then, he isn't a winger, is he? It's like playing O'Grady left wing and expecting him to perform miracles.... oh, hang on.
Jacob hasn't scored this season, but he still leads the way in terms of assists, and he's yet another suffering from the managers about-turn.
Currently injured, and beginning to feel the wrath of some supporters, I think his career (certainly at Oakwell) is in jeopardy, and that's another shame because I thought we'd replaced Jacob Butterfield pretty well, which I have to say I thought would take some doing. But as ever in football, it's the 'footballers' who are often the unlucky ones, the scapegoats etc. Whilst the journeymen, the average Joe's are selected regularly and defended to the hilt despite a catalogue of evidence suggesting they're indeed, 'average journeymen'. Baffling, is football.
Appearances: 10
Goals Scored: 2
Assists: 0
Retained in the Summer, but this season is following a similar pattern for Tomasz Cywka. Used on ten occasions, but only twice from the start, he's the definitive 'impact' player in the eyes of the management, and most supporters, myself included. Ideal against tiring defences late on, but seemingly unable to influence the game from kick off. Which could be harsh of us, because those starts are so rare, how can we ever know how effective he might be after a prolonged run?
His two goals this season were both belters. The free kick at Forest quite possibly the best I've seen from a BFC laiker. A thunderbolt of a strike. His set piece ability is far better than anything else at the club. Perhaps the Pole deserves that run of games?
Appearances: 12
Goals Scored: 1
Assists: 0
Now into his fourth season at the club, Jim O'Brien continues to be in and out of the side, unable to truly cement a regular starting position.
Hard graft, 100% effort, a true 'team' player if ever there was one, Jim's problem is producing in an attacking sense consistently. He's occasionally outstanding, so much so that it baffles me to see him so often be merely average. There's a player in there, and he's certainly one I rate, but if we're ever going to improve our lot at this level the likes of Jim need to step up on a more consistent basis.
His performance off the bench at Ipswich was proof of his ability, and to be fair to him, he's not been used in his preferred position very often this season. I admire his defensive qualities, but a right back he is not.
Appearances: 5
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 0
Signed from FC Bayern in the Summer, Dale Jennings' career so far at Oakwell we can pretty much write off. Sent off (harshly, in my opinion) on debut, and decidedly average in his further showings, the former Tranmere flyer has a lot to do to convince the Tarn faithful that Flicker was right to fork out £250,000 for his services. He's got another 30 months on his contract, though, so perhaps with patience from us and a work ethic on his part, he'll come good. Let's hope so, because I seriously doubt Flicker (or the board) signed him as a 'work in progress'. I was led to believe he was signed as a - to quote Flitcroft - 'plug in and play' player.
Appearances: 5
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 0
After performing well at the latter end of the last campaign, in an unorthodox wing back role, this season looked likely to be the 'breakthrough' year for Reuben Noble-Lazarus when Scott Golbourne left for Wolves. Talked up by Flicker as the ideal replacement, and promised "40 starts" etc, the youngster had Adam Hammill in his pocket in the Huddersfield victory, before being dropped for the next three games (all defeats) as Flitcroft ditched the 3-5-2 system after one match (and victory). He returned away at Leicester, but was subbed off after an hour and subsequently banished to room 101, possibly to keep Hassell and Steele company.
Recently sent to League Two Scunthorpe on loan, where on debut he came off the bench and was duly named their man of the match.
I think the lads future unfortunately lies elsewhere, certainly whilst the current management are in place. I can't think of many - if any - young lads we've sent out to the lower leagues on loan who have then come back to shine in a Tarn shirt.
In my opinion, he's a better player than most of our attacking midfielders, a better wing/full back than Kennedy, and he's been unfairly treated by the manager. I hope he returns, and then gets the amount of game time and opportunities that are afforded to some of our less deserving players. I won't hold my breath, mind.
Appearances: 7
Goals Scored: 0
Assists: 1
Signed on loan in September from Norwich City, midfielder David Fox has started every game since. I'm yet to ascertain what he brings to the table. He's not done much wrong though, but I'm struggling to see what he's done that's made a difference. I'm of the belief that the likes of Etuhu, Dawson or even Digby could perform the same tasks, and that this is another costly loan, and another example of the short-termism that's rife throughout the club. In terms of his ability, he very much reminds me of Jon Greening from last season. Short tidy passes, and very rarely moves forward with the ball, and offers little in terms of protecting the defence. As bizarre loan signings go, this is high up the list.
Appearances: 8
Goals Scored: 1
Assists: 1
Mercurial winger Paddy McCourt signed on a free from Celtic this season, and I think in most fans eyes he's been 'the' shining light in a very dark season so far. His dazzling dribbling skills have had us all entertained, none more so than the amazing goal scored against Boro after he'd practically danced through their entire defence. He's come close on other occasions, and his ability to produce something from nothing has been a refreshing change from the mind numbing drudgery we've been served up for much of the last 12 months.
I'm well aware of his weaknesses, and I'm not even going to mention them. I like Paddy. I like his strengths. They outweigh whatever weakness you want to mention. He makes me want to watch Tarn more than anybody since Butterfield, Davies and Vaz Te were terrorising the Championship for 8 weeks under Keith Hill.
Hail Hail Paddy.
Appearances: 17
Goals Scored: 7
Assists: 0
After sealing a permanent move this Summer, the Wednesday hater Chris O'Grady has continued to score at a decent rate this season, almost a goal a game. The best centre forward I've seen at the club since Neil Shipperley. Leads the line superbly, links well with his teammates, and is pretty clinical in and around the box. Unfortunately, his form has deteriorated slightly in recent weeks, much because of the managers bizarre ploy of playing him as a left winger. And it must be a decision to do it. You can't tell me that Chris is choosing to do it, and ignoring instructions. The fact we're stationing our main goal threat out there is enough reason alone to doubt the managers thinking, nevermind the other reasons of which there are many.
Get O'Grady back up front and central, and we'll get another ten goals out of him. Keep playing him next to the dugout, and he'll do well to reach double figures.
Appearances: 9
Goals Scored: 2
Assists: 1
I'm not a fan of loan signings, especially when it's unlikely to ever turn into a permanent signing, but Marcus Pedersen has impressed me a lot in his short time at the club. He looks to have the work rate and attitude of Chris Dagnall, but looks technically brilliant with an eye for goal. He may only have two goals to his name so far, but I'm convinced that if paired up front in a two with O'Grady, he'll reach double figures this season.
Appearances: 14
Goals Scored: 2
Assists: 0
Despite 14 appearances, 11 of them have been as a late sub. When he's started, he's looked a threat, and he has two goals to his name. I'm not going to criticise Flicker for using Jason Scotland as he has done, because the two strikers ahead of him are there on merit. I suppose he's a decent option to have, and to be honest, our strikers are the last department I'm worried about.
Appearances: 9
Goals Scored: 1
Assists: 0
Despite leading the goalscoring charts for us last season, Chris Dagnall has been overlooked this term in favour of Pedersen and Scotland, and not many Reds fans will moan about that. Nobody could ever fault the lads workrate and the qualities he brought to the team, but his goal record was hard to defend and he's slipped out of the first team picture altogether. I can't even recall him being on the bench for much of the last two months. A loan move has been mentioned but nothing has materialised as of yet.
WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS
As I mentioned earlier, I've my own theory on why certain players aren't performing at the levels they set last season under Flicker. And it's something obvious. It's the system. He's reverted back to 4-4-2, the very first thing he changed when taking over from Keith. And I'm afraid it's as plain as the nose on Jimmy McNulty's face that we don't have the personnel to play that system successfully.
Some people are taking Flicker's stance, and suggesting that in fact it's 3-5-2 that we don't have the players to fit into. And I can see their point, slightly. But we had young Reuben here until last week, and in the two occasions he was last asked to play at LWB, he excelled, as did the team in beating both Hull City and Huddersfield Town. It's also the system that gets the best out of Wisey in an attacking sense, and the best shape in which to utilize the abilities of Mellis. In fact, I think Paddy would be even more effective in that central role, floating. And as I outlined earlier, the likes of Etuhu, Dawson and Perkins were at their best in a five man midfield. Perkins in particular is a much more effective proposition in that type of midfield, where he has an enforcer behind him and a 'baller' ahead of him. He flourished in the five man midfield we had during Keith's vintage of late 2011, and did so last season in Flicker's version.
I don't believe we have the right central midfielders to perform as a two. At present, we've been using Perkins and Fox. Neither of them create much - if anything - and neither score goals. They don't even threaten to. Which is putting the responsibility squarely onto the strikers. And if our wingers aren't performing, those strikers are getting no service whatsoever, no support whatsoever from our entire midfield. And that's what leads to us continuing this bizarre strategy of Kennedy constantly trying to feed O'Grady. It's the most overused tactic in football, and along with shutting down Paddy, the only things the opposition scouts need note on their bits of paper.
We have personnel more suited to 3-5-2 than we do 4-4-2.
I hear people - in their defence of Flicker - telling me we've failed using 3-5-2 this season, yet I'm struggling to recall us playing it that often. Just as I'm struggling to see this 'unbeaten' run as the evidence that things are beginning to click, whilst others are suggesting exactly that. I'm not for one minute saying they're wrong and I'm right, but I think the best evidence is served up in the statistics in this article, both the team stats, and players. And they point to a side who have changed a winning formula, and are now conceding two goals per game, scoring just one, and are looking nothing like the side that fought so heroically to maintain this proud little clubs status as second tier stalwarts.
So why not go back to something that worked? Because even the staunchest supporter of the current manager can't surely see us staying up by playing this current brand of football..? God only knows how bad a watch it would be if Paddy was injured/sold.
We're playing a lot of hoofball from what I've seen. I wasn't at the Doncaster game, but I'm told it was much of the same. That's not the type of football I want to spend an afternoon watching. Although, were it getting the required results - ala Wimbledon in the 80's/90's and Stoke more recently - I'd be able to stomach it.
And so it all comes down to the manager. Only he can change it. But if this is how he wants his side to play, and he believes that we indeed are improving, and that using so many loan players in favour of our young lads is the right 'plan', then all power to him. It's his job to lose I suppose, and so it's only right that he makes the decisions. But I can't help but recall his interviews last season where he'd often state how he 'knew' what we the fanbase wanted, and last season he and the players gave us just that. Well, this season is so far removed from that, and it would be gutting if we had to replace yet another manager who went from fearless to shit scared within months of the job. And we can't blame the board this time. This was meant to be a new era, Flicker signed up for it all, and he's been seemingly backed to the hilt.
I can't believe we're not even in December, and yet again we are already hoping for bare survival, yet again. And going into another few games where if things go badly for us, the manager could be sacked, yet again.
Spectemur Agendo? More like Déja Vu.
A big thank you to anyone who purchased a copy of West Stand Bogs, issue two, and thus donated to charity in the process. I know the lads at the heart of the fanzine are grateful, and if we're honest, it's possibly the best thing - other than Paddy - to come out of this season so far.
Up The Tarn!
Oh, and the club revealed the four 'options' for the new club crest/badge, to be used from next season. 'Be Proud, Be Barnsley' they said (only without the comma..) as they unveiled the 'options' designed by a LEEDS based company. Fantastic, eh?
And yes, they're all very similar. All very shit. But you can vote to keep the current badge/crest and so if you're not happy with this attempted 'brand refresh' then I suggest that option is your best bet.
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