And so it begins

[roversdude]

Can’t believe some of the comments about Barlow only having a couple of decent games ffs he’s only played recently.
It’s a dilemma though as I don’t think he’s a starter but he’s the sort of player who needs games. There is something there with him but he struggles with confidence. Remember in a pre season game before Wellens signed him -RW was telling him shout for the ball seems a really shy kid

[TheFunk]

I sit just behind the home bench and Barlow is a very shy man. He always sits on his own and doesn't interact with the other players at all. I feel very sorry for him as it's something I've always struggled with myself. I believe it must be holding him back in his career as I can't imagine him banging on the manager's door demanding to be picked. Personally I'd keep him as he's a much better player than Kyle Hurst who if he isn't scoring contributes nothing.

[danumdon]

The fact that DS is talking in this manner makes me very nervous that we'll look very similar next season and the funds promised are not to the level that most were hoping they would be.

Sounds to me like we are preparing the ground to resign most of the out of contract players, this to me is a massive mistake, we have the opportunity to get rid of a greet deal of baggage that has blighted our last couple of seasons, we need to make the change, even if we're still shopping at the cheap place we need to recycle these players and get in bigger, faster, stronger individuals with a will to win and a commitment to run through walls if required, i doubt they would cost us any more but the main point is we get rid of some real plodders who are going to take us down.

Still think that one, maybe two on the out of contract list are worth a shout if cheap enough, defiantly no more than that. If we persist with the status quo then i'm betting we'll be done for by the end of next season and i'll be watching Rosso as the football will be on par to what DS will produce.

[ncRover]

I’m sure Barlow is a lovely young lad but we can’t let feeling sorry for how shy he is dictate whether he is offered a contract or not.

I thought you all wanted “mesters” ? Not injury prone and mild mannered.

[sedwardsdrfc]

In interviews they always make a point of wanting the “right characters”. I think as fans we hear this and think leaders and fighters people you want alongside you in a difficult patch. The club it seems look for lads your Nan would like.

[roversdude]

I’m sure Barlow is a lovely young lad but we can’t let feeling sorry for how shy he is dictate whether he is offered a contract or not.

I thought you all wanted “mesters” ? Not injury prone and mild mannered.

Who mentioned sticking with him out of pity ?
Totally agree we need more physicality but for what he’s probably on he may well be worth a deal - can’t say he’s ever let us down just not good enough to start

[Boycie]

I am really struggling to see how we will improve next season.
The players who will form the bulk of the team - Anderson, Olowu, Faulkner, Rowe, Maxwell, Biggins,Molyneux, Hurst, Taylor, Lavery and G Miller have all been part of this years debacle, how will adding 4/6 new players make a huge difference if Danny Scofield persists with his formations and style of play.
All the above players would in my opinion, be the basis of a sound team providing we play to their strengths.
I suppose what I am really trying to say is the problem is Danny Schofield.
As far as Barlow is concerned I think he could be a decent player with other decent players around him, he scored 2 cracking goals and at least is prepared to have a shot on goal.

[ravenrover]

People are talking about Barlow as though he is on 000's a week. As people like to say he will be a cheap option and will make up numbers

[EasyforDennis]

I’m sure Barlow is a lovely young lad but we can’t let feeling sorry for how shy he is dictate whether he is offered a contract or not.

I thought you all wanted “mesters” ? Not injury prone and mild mannered.

Who mentioned sticking with him out of pity ?
Totally agree we need more physicality but for what he’s probably on he may well be worth a deal - can’t say he’s ever let us down just not good enough to start

The mess we are in at the moment we shouldn't be signing anyone who isn't good enough to start. Signing players to sit on the bench is a defeatist attitude.

[drfchound]

The fact that DS is talking in this manner makes me very nervous that we'll look very similar next season and the funds promised are not to the level that most were hoping they would be.

Sounds to me like we are preparing the ground to resign most of the out of contract players, this to me is a massive mistake, we have the opportunity to get rid of a greet deal of baggage that has blighted our last couple of seasons, we need to make the change, even if we're still shopping at the cheap place we need to recycle these players and get in bigger, faster, stronger individuals with a will to win and a commitment to run through walls if required, i doubt they would cost us any more but the main point is we get rid of some real plodders who are going to take us down.

Still think that one, maybe two on the out of contract list are worth a shout if cheap enough, defiantly no more than that. If we persist with the status quo then i'm betting we'll be done for by the end of next season and i'll be watching Rosso as the football will be on par to what DS will produce.

There will be Doncaster City to watch as well mate.
They are apparently having a really good season and have won their league.

[DearneValleyRover]

My problem with signing any of the out of contract players and a few of those still under contract is that they have a losing mentality, we need to move them on and replace them with players that aren’t carrying those scars, I’m not sure DS is able to do that

[danumdon]

The fact that DS is talking in this manner makes me very nervous that we'll look very similar next season and the funds promised are not to the level that most were hoping they would be.

Sounds to me like we are preparing the ground to resign most of the out of contract players, this to me is a massive mistake, we have the opportunity to get rid of a greet deal of baggage that has blighted our last couple of seasons, we need to make the change, even if we're still shopping at the cheap place we need to recycle these players and get in bigger, faster, stronger individuals with a will to win and a commitment to run through walls if required, i doubt they would cost us any more but the main point is we get rid of some real plodders who are going to take us down.

Still think that one, maybe two on the out of contract list are worth a shout if cheap enough, defiantly no more than that. If we persist with the status quo then i'm betting we'll be done for by the end of next season and i'll be watching Rosso as the football will be on par to what DS will produce.

There will be Doncaster City to watch as well mate.
They are apparently having a really good season and have won their league.

Forgot all about them, now that would be a turn up for the books if the two passed each other in the league pyramid in a few years time.

I don't know about City's trajectory but ours is bang in line to be meeting some interesting village teams very soon if we don't sort ourselves out.

[Sammy Chung was King]

Most of those out of contract need to go, also some under contract , which will be harder to do, also need to go.
I have no confidence in the substantial funds coming in. Yes Bramhall has backed the managers over many years, the last three seasons the money just hasn’t been put in. We’ve tried to run in a way that the club pays for itself. The problem is that has led to a much lower budget for players. Before it’s asked I don’t know the budget, but I know what I see. The standard of players recruited has dropped markedly.

In the summer we will need two goalkeepers. A right back and cover for both full back positions-a utility player. We need two good centre backs, ideally one experienced, one a bit younger with some pace.
We need another winger, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder and one who can cover when either of those players are out. We need two strikers, players that know where the net is.
By my reckoning around twelve players needed with players being retained but more going out.

[Fur Calf]

If we are to aim for promotion I cannot understand why so many posters are stating that we should give contracts to the likes of Barlow and Seaman. Posters citing ooh "they have only played a small number of games", this being in a very poor side.....there's a reason for that they are not good enough.

[BillyStubbsTears]

My problem with signing any of the out of contract players and a few of those still under contract is that they have a losing mentality, we need to move them on and replace them with players that aren’t carrying those scars, I’m not sure DS is able to do that

By that logic, we should have released Colin Douglas after 82/83. Or Mark Rankine and Rufus Brevett after 87/88.

[ncRover]

My problem with signing any of the out of contract players and a few of those still under contract is that they have a losing mentality, we need to move them on and replace them with players that aren’t carrying those scars, I’m not sure DS is able to do that

By that logic, we should have released Colin Douglas after 82/83. Or Mark Rankine and Rufus Brevett after 87/88.

Who would you keep for next season Billy?

[BillyStubbsTears]

You're asking the wrong person.
I'd  have got rid of Douglas in 83 and O'Driscoll in 87.

I've learned there are topics where my opinion ain't worth shite, and claiming to be able to see how the mentality of other people will respond to different situation is one of them.

For what it's worth, I think there's something in Barlow worth persevering with, without thinking we should necessarily be relying on him to be a superstar.

[Bills view]

Barlow has technical ability, you can see that in the warm ups. However, the games I have seen him play (not the last few) he's been a passenger (like most of them).

We can't have players that have little impact. Do we want to improve or not?

We need a major overhaul and I don't like the phrase squad players.

We need a quality team and squad for the level. Players coming into the team if we have injuries who can perform at the required standard.

[drfchound]

Barlow has technical ability, you can see that in the warm ups. However, the games I have seen him play (not the last few) he's been a passenger (like most of them).

We can't have players that have little impact. Do we want to improve or not?

We need a major overhaul and I don't like the phrase squad players.

We need a quality team and squad for the level. Players coming into the team if we have injuries who can perform at the required standard.

Precisely Bill.  If players are on the bench or in the squad they should be able to go onto the pitch and not weaken the team.

[StocksArmy]

All of them are nowhere near good enough so they all need to be shown the door.

[Avsuptem]

Barlow certainly does have some special skills. He can beat 2, 3 or 4 players with his quick feet, ball control  and speed of thought. He did today, the trouble is that when he does there is no one available to pass to, if the team was set up better he could become the star play maker. The guy should be nurtured and developed.

[sedwardsdrfc]

If DS is sticking around and thinks he’ll use Barlow next season then I’m happy we extend his deal. If we do get shot of DS I wouldn’t want Barlow extending as he clearly struggles to impress new managers. Never got a look in till injuries made it impossible not to pick him.