It's been just over two months since the Reds regained their second tier status. Just over two months since Adam Hammill's ethereal strike sent over 20,000 of us into raptures. It has been just over two months for everyone connected with the football club to both savour that icing of the 2015-16 season cake and prepare for the gargantuan meal that is a season back at Championship level. Welcome to my 2016-17 season preview and what will be my final blog post covering my beloved Reds. More on that later. But aye, let's tuck in...
You only need to look at the bookmakers odds and the countless predictions from various media 'experts' to realise we are back in the second tier. We're tipped to either fight off relegation or succumb to relegation. What though is markedly different upon our return to the level is the amount of money being spent. By all accounts we've spent around £1,000,000 ourselves this summer which is quite remarkable, for us. But it's not even small change when Newcastle are spending about fifty times that figure and Aston Villa are splashing out £12,000,000 for a 30 year old striker who has never played beyond the level. It's comforting to know that the parachute payment system isn't being exploited. But it's not just the heavyweights of the division. Even the likes of Huddersfield, Leeds and Bristol City have signed players for fees they could only dream about in years gone by.
But the club have managed (thus far) to hold on to the majority of the players who served us so well last season and that could well prove to be priceless. I understand there are some who worry about whether or not we're likely to miss the outstanding loan players we carried last term. I too will miss the likes of Josh Brownhill, Ashley Fletcher and Lloyd Isgrove. They weren't our players and I'm assuming the financial outlay on them was minimal. Yet they produced in spades for us. I've never been a big advocate of using the loan market. But I realise now just how vital a recruitment tool it can be for us, especially when we are now competing with clubs who can spend our entire annual budget on one player. Yes, for every Danny Drinkwater there's a Conor Wilkinson, probably. But for every Alfie Mawson signed permanently there's a Leroy Lita, maybe.
From the Hammill extension to the retention of Sam Winnall, Conor Hourihane and Mawson, we have given ourselves a better chance of competing. Whilst we might lose money by keeping a couple of them, we might well not. I'd suggest we've already got more than our money's worth out of them anyway. Not every player we recruit will be made with resale value in mind. Of course you don't want to lose great players for nothing. But would it be more prudent to take less than a million for such players and increase the likelihood of another relegation and another £6,000,000 hit? I'm not so sure. And these are thankfully decisions for those well paid and well versed to make. Recruiting, retaining, releasing, none of it is straightforwardly simple. It's about risk/reward, about being brave and having faith in your own conviction. I believe those charged with running the club passed all the above with flying colours last term.
Of the incoming players you'd be hard pressed in trying to predict how they'll fare for us over the course of the coming season as the club continue down the so far successful route of acquiring young players with growing reputations, usually from lower down the football pyramid. But it's probably fair to say that the arrival of striker, Tom Bradshaw has been the standout bit of business. The prolific Welsh international joins us from Walsall with the Reds beating other Championship outfits to his signature. With himself and Winnall boasting 64 third division goals between them in the last two years it's to be hoped they can hit it off as a Championship pairing because beyond those two, our options up front look decidedly sparse.
In what looks a move to replace the pace and energy offered down the right hand side by the departed Isgrove, Liverpool youngster Ryan Kent joins on a season long loan. The tricky winger was hit and miss in League One last season wearing Coventry City's sky blue, but that first taste of 'proper' football and the chance to work alongside the mercurial talent that is player of the season, Hammill might well work in his and our favour. The 19 year old could do worse than using Adam as a mentor considering he's following the exact same route.
The club made no secret of their desire to bring George Moncur to Oakwell and the son of former West Ham and Swindon midfielder, John arrived from Colchester after a superb campaign in Essex where he plundered 14 goals from midfield including two efforts against us. The soon to be 23 year old is a product of the fabled West Ham academy and is joined by a fellow Hammers graduate in Elliot Lee. And just like George, Elliot has a famous footballing father in former Newcastle and England star, Rob. Having also spent time with Colchester last season, the winger/striker will add much needed competition in attacking positions.
The rest of our summer additions were captured from further down the leagues but it's noticeable in my opinion that some of them were captains at the clubs they've left. After so many rumours about a potential Oakwell move, Barnet's Andy Yiadom finally made that long journey and it's looking practically a given that he'll start for us at Ipswich at right full back considering the latest injury setback for James Bree. Fellow defender, Angus MacDonald is our most recent recruit, the 23 year old centre half joins us from Torquay and will offer us cover at centre half I would have thought, initially at least, however there are still big question marks over the future of Lewin Nyatanga who hasn't really been involved much since the turn of the year. The one player in our squad who has an enormous amount of experience at this level but looks the likeliest to depart.
It would be remiss of me when talking about departures not to mention the egression of Ben Mansford to local rivals Leeds United. He wasn't everyone's cup of tea, he had good and bad moments as CEO but I think it's fair to say he was an upgrade on the bloke he replaced. I've spent time with his replacement, Linton Brown recently and I feel we've probably upgraded once more. Expect to see and hear less of him though. He doesn't strike me as the sort to covet the cameras and attention. Most of his good work will be done behind the scenes.
I was though surprised upon hearing of Ben's decision to leave. I knew he was an ambitious sort, but it's the destination that shocked me. Not in any other era, admittedly, but there can't be much job security at Elland Road under Massimo Cellino. One can only assume it pays well. I'd be quite chuffed if that club fell down the divisions so I will stop short of wishing Ben well in terms of the club. But as a bloke I can, he was good with me and other supporters, fan groups etc. The charity walk of 2015 for example and more recently the charity song we did for Wembley.
I would also like to thank the club for recently inviting my good friend and former Reds commentator, Matt Bailey back into the fold. I'm not privy entirely to how he'll be utilised going forward but I think it's a step in the right direction. There are good, local people around who can offer so much to the club. Passionate people. Loyal people. Take advantage of that, but not of them. It's similar I suppose to the coaching setup nowadays. Whilst the likes of Bobby Hassell, Martin Devaney and David Preece aren't born and bred Barnsley folk, they're lads who've made the town their home and shown tremendous loyalty and passion in their respective fields. It'd be blummin' silly not to put that to use. In my opinion. Obviously. It's my blog.
Being back in the Championship also sees us reacquaint ourselves with a number of our near neighbours. That and a number of former players, a number of former players turned managers, as well as one former manager. Or head coach.
It's been amusing to see Lee Johnson linked with so many of our players or linked with players we're targeting ourselves, not to mention his efforts to lure Hammill and to add Tommy Wright to his coaching staff. It's nothing new though, seeing managers hanker for former players and if anything it ought to be seen as complimentary. And regardless, little Lee has thus far failed in the main, to sprinkle a bit of Barnsley over his Bristol City. His acquisition of Brownhill is an underrated bit of business, but I'm told that deal was sorted long before it was announced and that the Reds weren't ever a possible full time home for Josh.
They are still said to be ogling Mawson from afar, they've even been said to have put bids in for him. So maybe 'LJ' will still succeed at Oakwell, or maybe once more he'll have to bow down to Paul Heckingbottom.
I would ordinarily be enthused about trips to the likes of Hillsborough, Elland Road and whatever they're calling the stadium in Huddersfield this season but the suggested ticket prices for these matches stink of urine extraction. The away end at the home of Sheffield Wednesday is one of the worst, most dilapidated stands I've had the displeasure of visiting. A lot. But even ignoring that, you've more chance of seeing me with a fringe than you have of me attending that particular stadium for the suggested £40+. I'm going to Huddersfield and paying £30 through gritted teeth.
It's £30 next weekend at Oakwell too. We're setting no trends. I understand why that is but I'm a little disappointed that no membership or flexi scheme has been introduced to help home supporters out financially.
I'm never not excited by the prospect of a brand new season. It's the mystery, the intrigue and unknown. It's unpredictable yet we still have a stab. And I'm even more fired up for a fresh campaign than usual. What these lads achieved last season will live with us as supporters forever. But I can't wait to see how they get on in what has become one of the most competitive divisions in world football. The head says we'll revert to the proper Barnsley and face up to the inevitable second tier struggle for survival. The heart hopes we continue this incredible 2016 form. Maybe we'll meet somewhere in the middle?
We have hopes, dreams, aspirations. But I'm realistic. And so I only really expect one thing this season. I expect to see us continue down the same path that exhilarated me last time out in terms of the brand of football. There was a clear dichotomy between the football served up in the first half of 2015-16 and the second half. I've absolutely zero interest in seeing my team play keep ball unless we're leading in a game with time about to run out. I don't care how Barcelona play nor does it excite me seeing how many passes our centre halves racked up. I want to see my team looking to play forward and play quickly. I'm not claiming this is 'the' way to play football. I'm saying it's what I enjoy seeing from a Barnsley side. Always has been, always will be.
After the events of last season I am minded not to bother with predictions this time around. But I suppose I'm glass half full in my outlook for BFC. I'm certainly not fearful, I don't see us being embarrassed and taking regular beatings. I'm expecting it to be a huge challenge, probably more so than usual for us at the level, but I also see the club in a far better place than usual at the level. And so it's vital that we all remain together. Strength in unity.
And this is where I finish. I have my reasons, but have no desire to explain them. Not right now at least. But I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has ever liked anything I've put out there online. I'm truly grateful for any support I've ever received and whilst I have a perceived arrogant online persona that I've mischievously helped shape myself, you wouldn't believe the amount of times I've been lifted when reading or getting feedback from fellow Reds down the years. I've never seeked back patting, but it can be lovely to know someone enjoyed something you created.
I've often felt inclined to call things a day. But I end up either lured, tempted or roped back in. I will still be a reader of twitter and the forums but my contribution online will be negligible from now on. I've been doing these blogs for four years now and creating videos for three. I've tweeted an incredible amount of tweets since 2011 and I think I've averaged about 20 posts a day on the forum for what seems an eternity. If you're my 'friend' on facebook you're in limited (but esteemed) company and you'll notice my output on there is practically redundant. And I like that.
Self indulgent? My blog, remember? And it's about to finish. I promise.
Thank you to the lads and lassies who supported anything I've done for charity in recent years, be it the two walks to Bradford and Chesterfield arranged by WSB and most recently the club endorsed charity song. On that note I will take the opportunity to pass on 'THIS LINK' which details the latest charity walk arranged by Reds supporters. Please give generously or perhaps get your walking boots on and tag along!
And a massive wish of good luck to Norbs and Gaz at WSB in their future endeavours. What those two did recently with our club founders resting place is beyond words. Even for a gob like mine. Proud of the stuff they put out.
Not to forget the lads from the trust who run the supporters bar at Oakwell.
I've met some brilliant folk over the years, just through following the Reds and the internet has played a massive part in that too. As I say, I'll still be online, I just won't be participating as often, but feel free to message me if the mood takes you. And you'll still see my handsome face around Oakwell and local public houses I'm sure.
But I'll end it here and by posting the link to my finest work. Be good to each other, thanks for reading/watching/listening/loving/hating.
Whitey x
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