Pre-season preview - Barnsley
1) How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc.
We came 12th after looking a good bet for a play-off spot after a great first half of the season when we were in administration and couldn't sign any players. Season tailed off badly despite coming out of admin and Gudjon Thordarsson was harshly sacked.
Best moment: Probably Daniel Nardiello's debut on loan from Man Utd - two goals and set up another in a 3-0 win over Blackpool at Oakwell.
Worst moment: FA Cup defeat at Scunthorpe - disgraceful performance.
2) How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position.
Impossible to have too much confidence with an almost totally new squad but based on the new signings and a friendly match - I reckon we'll be up there. Definitely be a more entertaining team than last season.
3) What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
New signings: Nick Colgan, Bobby Hassell, Tom Williams, Paul Reid, Matt Carbon, Tony Vaughan, Barry Conlon, Stephen McPhail, Daniel Nardiello (on season loan from Man U ), Fola Onibuje. Well, I've not seen too much of them
yet but McPhail and Reid should outclass most midfields in this division while Carbon and Vaughan have plenty of experience at the back. Tom Williams and Bobby Hassell are well spoken of by their former clubs. I saw our main possible weakness as a lack of goals but now Nardiello's back (I'm surprised a higher level club didn't give a him a chance), I'm more hopeful.
4) Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Nicky Wroe (still 18) looked a midfielder with loads of potential in a couple of appearances (including his first goal for the club) at the end of last season. However he may struggle to get get a game. Antony Kay (22) could be the one
to shine this season if Hart finds his best position - he played midfield, centre back and full back last year.
5) What's your manager like and will he still be there at the end of the season?
Paul Hart - quietly spoken - but seems to know what he wants regarding players and tactics. Had a raw deal at Forest according to most of their fans and should hopefully be here for a couple of seasons at least - Ridsdale chose him so he should be given time. Made some hard decisions when releasing most of our squad including Kevin Betsy and Craig Ireland who came second and third in the fans player of the season poll.
6) Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Ah, chairman a certain Peter Ridsdale (popular in Leeds I believe?) He's been ok - seems to be keeping a fairly tight rein on the budget despite the many signings. Minor niggles are the increase in (season) ticket prices and too many
'publicity' things. Pete interviews on the official site while Hart says little. Hart was supposed to have wanted an assistant manager but no sign of one yet.
7) Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
Sheffield Wednesday - sleeping giants? big city club?, Chris "I'll get Wednesday in Europe within 5 years" Turner....I'm still laughing.
8) Predict your champions and runner up, the 4 Play-Off teams and the 4 to go down.
Champs: Tranmere, Runners up: Barnsley (optimistic for a change)
Play-offs: Swindon, Bristol City (as always), Hull and Hartlepool.
Down: Brentford, Peterborough, Chesterfield (about time) and Colchester.
http://www.barnsley-mad.co.uk/
2) How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position.
Impossible to have too much confidence with an almost totally new squad but based on the new signings and a friendly match - I reckon we'll be up there. Definitely be a more entertaining team than last season.
3) What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
New signings: Nick Colgan, Bobby Hassell, Tom Williams, Paul Reid, Matt Carbon, Tony Vaughan, Barry Conlon, Stephen McPhail, Daniel Nardiello (on season loan from Man U ), Fola Onibuje. Well, I've not seen too much of them
yet but McPhail and Reid should outclass most midfields in this division while Carbon and Vaughan have plenty of experience at the back. Tom Williams and Bobby Hassell are well spoken of by their former clubs. I saw our main possible weakness as a lack of goals but now Nardiello's back (I'm surprised a higher level club didn't give a him a chance), I'm more hopeful.
4) Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Nicky Wroe (still 18) looked a midfielder with loads of potential in a couple of appearances (including his first goal for the club) at the end of last season. However he may struggle to get get a game. Antony Kay (22) could be the one
to shine this season if Hart finds his best position - he played midfield, centre back and full back last year.
5) What's your manager like and will he still be there at the end of the season?
Paul Hart - quietly spoken - but seems to know what he wants regarding players and tactics. Had a raw deal at Forest according to most of their fans and should hopefully be here for a couple of seasons at least - Ridsdale chose him so he should be given time. Made some hard decisions when releasing most of our squad including Kevin Betsy and Craig Ireland who came second and third in the fans player of the season poll.
6) Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Ah, chairman a certain Peter Ridsdale (popular in Leeds I believe?) He's been ok - seems to be keeping a fairly tight rein on the budget despite the many signings. Minor niggles are the increase in (season) ticket prices and too many
'publicity' things. Pete interviews on the official site while Hart says little. Hart was supposed to have wanted an assistant manager but no sign of one yet.
7) Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
Sheffield Wednesday - sleeping giants? big city club?, Chris "I'll get Wednesday in Europe within 5 years" Turner....I'm still laughing.
8) Predict your champions and runner up, the 4 Play-Off teams and the 4 to go down.
Champs: Tranmere, Runners up: Barnsley (optimistic for a change)
Play-offs: Swindon, Bristol City (as always), Hull and Hartlepool.
Down: Brentford, Peterborough, Chesterfield (about time) and Colchester.
http://www.barnsley-mad.co.uk/
Our next pre-season preview will be another play-off team and we visit the team who lost the play-off semi-final on penalties.