Danny's Blank Piece of Paper at Barnsley Football Club

Article by Chris Hawden

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When I decide to write an article, I always start with a fresh new idea and most importantly a clean blank piece of paper.

I always need a plan to develop my article and stay on track.

In the summer of 2014, Danny Wilson had thrown away his survival plan, it had been unsuccessful and culminated in Barnsley's relegation to league 1.

Many of the players he inherited in the Barnsley squad were moved on or had left for pastures new.

It gave Barnsley Football Club the chance to start afresh, with a clean piece of paper, a new set of players and a new plan aimed at promotion back to the Championship.

I was very confident in our manager, Danny Wilson has vast experience of Managing at league 1 level and I felt he would get the essential backing from the board and Patrick Cryne.

I am writing this article 30/01/2015 and I am bemused at the position the club finds itself in, we are a million miles from the team I expected, a team challenging for a place at the top table.

In fact we are a team that are 2 points away from the relegation zone .

So what's gone wrong.

Firstly let me place on record, Danny Wilson is the correct man for the manager's job at Barnsley.

He doesn't become a Bad Manager over night, he still appears enthusiastic and motivated, I do not think the problem lies with Danny.

I feel our scouting system have let the club down dramatically, the signings we have made this season have been appalling.

I also question why Danny didn't bring more experienced players to the club in pre season.

The only bright stars of the new crop for me are Connor Hourihane and Sam Winnall.

All the other signings are questionable, particularly Reece Brown and Keith Treacy, who have already left the club, Leroy Lita, James Bailey, Kane Hemmings and Luke Berry have in the main also failed to impress.

So who picks these players, the scouts must be responsible for their recommendations, but is it simply then down to a short list discussed between board and manager, with costs for the players signature and wages a significant factor.

I suspect this is the case with Danny's wish list probably ignored due to cost constraints.

Looking from outside the club as a supporter, it seems we do have a plan and the blank canvass is indeed being created, a picture is being formed.

The plan the board and Danny have put together seems a long term plan that will take 5 years, it appears built on the foundations of youth, many of the players that have pulled on the red shirt this season have been younger than 23 years of age, many academy players blooded and on loan youngsters from other football clubs developed and not for BFC.

We desperately need quality experienced players in the spine of the team and some physical ball winners in the midfield areas.

I see the potential in our young players and commend Danny for having faith in these Kids, but it's hardly Busby's Babes that we are turning out every week.

If we continue to ignore experienced players we will be relegated, for me there are too many youngsters all thrown in together, they lack guile, tenacity and an old head which is very apparent especially when thrown into the cauldron against old wise pros in the opposition teams.

I am confident Danny Wilson will eventually get things right, provided he is given continued backing and plenty of time.

It's awful watching the Reds go through this transition period though and I just prey we do not drop another division.

Come on Reds.

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