FM19: Barnsley - A New Beginning?

[Jamesbfc1887]

28 minutes ago, SpillBlood said:

Aneke been great in Rotherham saves for me, sadly I couldn't afford to pick him up when he was listed in Jan.

I do like the look of Fosu!

Cheers, I forked out a fair bit on both of them but I think it'll be worth it long term.

[Jamesbfc1887]

February:

So, this is becoming a little bit ridiculous now, without doubt the easiest season I have had on FM. 23 points clear at this stage means promotion is pretty much guaranteed.

Scunthorpe at home was an easy game a double from Aneke with his first goals for the club as well as Callum Styles who is turning into a really useful player towards the back end of the season. With Moore also on the score sheet.

Wycombe was a dire game, end of.

Revenge is sweat, we really didn't deserve to lose earlier on in the season and we put that right with a great win away from home, which really damaged Portsmouth promotion push. I'm enjoying the contributions of my January signings Fosu and Aneke both of which scored along with the ever present Moore.

[deltablue]

Barn-stormingly good! 

[Jamesbfc1887]

March:

Promotion confirmed on the 12th of March , it's been a matter of time for a while really. We've been outrageously good this season so far and no one has been anywhere near us all year truth be told.

And Champions!!!!! . I'm delighted this has been one of the best seasons I've had on FM ever! Not bad for a team with a predicted finish of 7th.

Yay! We've won the -affectionately known- "Pop and Crisp Cup", I eventually started to take this competition seriously (when we got to Wembley that is).

Wow, what a month it was we secured promotion and then the title. We've scored an absurd amount of goals this month, mainly thanks to Kieffer Moore; 3 against Southend, 2 against Sunderland, 2 against Donny and 1 against Walsall. Not bad.

We almost bottled it against Southend 4-1 up with 20 minutes to go after Fosu and Moore x3 and it ended up with a bit of nail biting in the last 5.

The game against Accrington was something special and I've really run out of superlatives a hat-trick for Woodrow, 2 for Potts, 1 for Pinnock, we score so many goals from crosses the full backs and wingers are racking up the assists. 

Now to rap up promotion, the tough test of Sunderland, they've massively under-performed this season but they still have to be respected. They spent big in January but it still hasn't really happened for them, again now spectacular goals just 5 yard tap ins from crosses mainly, Fosu finds himself on the score sheet again along with Hedges and of course Moore x2. Before Jerome Sinlcair got a consolation for Sunderland.

Next, The Title. And it would have be really wouldn't it, Donny at home to secure the title they've tailed off after a fantastic pre-Christmas run. We drew with them previously and I thought they were going to deny us on the day with former Red Chris Dagnall (yes I know Chris Dagnall scored against me how embarrassing), but no an 86th minute winner from Moore gave us all 3 points and the title. 

The Walsall game was the only poor game of the month for us, we should of had 4 or 5 but we didn't. I'm going to put it down to us celebrating the title a little too much over the past week.

We've even beaten Coventry  nothing can stop us surely. Styles and Fosu providing two late goals to claw the game back.

At Wembley we destroyed West Ham u23's and that's the last of that competition we'll ever see (hopefully).

POTM:

It had to be Moore really, 8 goals in a month deserves nothing but POTM. He's carried us to an extent, I've noticed he's quite a streaky player so far, he's been in and out of the squad this season but at the moment he's irreplaceable at the moment.

Fosu, would have won POTM any other month, I'm so pleased with him so far £500k looks a bargain.

Alex Mowatt, absolutely vital to the team and the way we play. 

[Carambau]

Congrats on winning the title! Keep it up some great signings there!

[Jamesbfc1887]

End of Season:

The stand out result of the month obviously being to relegated Plymouth a missed penalty by Woodrow summed up our day to be honest.

The other games where exactly what we would expect, however Blackpool seam to be the only team to have our number this season, I'll need to analyse our performances a bit more next season, as it won't be easy next year.

Wow!!!  That was quite a good season you could say. 114 points and a goal difference of 70 sums this season up really it's been far too easy really.

[Jamesbfc1887]

1st Season Review:

So, going into the season promotion was the definitive aim, however the squad is by no means the best in the League, but with a few additions we were able to bring the best out of them.

Cleaned up pretty well here then, Mowatt fully deserves his player of the year award but it could have gone to any number of our squad in reality.

 

Not much to say really; most goals scored, least conceded and the most possession.

 

[Jamesbfc1887]

Awards:

Player of the Season:

It has to go to Alex Mowatt, as shown above he was player of the year for the whole division so i had to pick him really.

Unsung Hero:

Cameron McGeehan, chipped in with a few goals and was generally solid in the box to box role all season.

Most Improved:

Miraculously Lloyd Isgrove is most improved, I thought he was dead in the water before the start of this season but he's been brilliant this year, well done Lloyd.

Best Newcomer:

Cauley Woodrow, I can't overlook his 20 goals despite his average rating not being that impressive.

[kiwityke1983]

Very much like my save. I absolutely walked both League One and the Championship. Eventually lost Lindsey and Williams (who turned into a brilliant right wingback) in January in the championship. Usual Barnsley way they wanted new contracts we could only afforc them with ridiculously low minimum fee release clauses. Lost about 4 million quid due to it.

 

I bought Faruggia by the way. Decent enough player if nothing brilliant.

[Jamesbfc1887]

The Summer:

We have a little bit of room to make some signings, however the wage bill isn't looking too healthy, the board increased my wage allocation with the new budget by about £500 p/w. Thanks board 

Outs:

We'll start with the outs. Curtis Tilt wasn't happy being 4 choice Centre back so I moved him on.

3 go out on loan and I can't really see any of them featuring for us at any point in the future unfortunately.

Ins:

We've barely spent anything but I really didn't want to do too much in this window and give the squad that took us up so convincingly, a chance in the Championship.

I'm sure I could have put together a better side but I wanted some continuity in the squad.

Sigurd Gronli, I believe this guy is a bit of a wonderkid/ hidden gem this year and for £200k he's definitely worth a punt. 19 free kicks as well .

Blackett comes in on a free from Reading to replace Tilt, he's got very impressive physical stats and can do a decent job at left back. Very happy with this one.

I'm very very happy with this one, I chased him in January but we've finally got our man. I had to make a lot of promises I'd rather not have given to him to even get him to talk to us but he's a great player for us at this level.

A couple of youngsters join us, some are better than others, hopefully they'll develop but who knows.

 

Youth Intake:

A few decent players there actually, so a chance of some more home grown players to come through the ranks.

[Jamesbfc1887]

It's a shame but I've noticed that Jacob Brown now has a  massive upgrade for the full release, which is annoying because he'd would have featured a lot more for me over the save. 

[SpillBlood]

Nice going!  Woodrow and Moore is a strike force to be jealous of!  Lovely.

Nice bringing in Gronli!  I can't afford him, even for 200k and my brexit means I couldn't bring him in anyway.  Hope he develops well for you!  Interested to see how he does.

[Jamesbfc1887]

10 hours ago, SpillBlood said:

Nice going!  Woodrow and Moore is a strike force to be jealous of!  Lovely.

Says the one with Vincent Janssen upfront second season. 

And besides Cauley "2 weeks" Woodrow is NOT A REAL PERSON, he's a myth to cover for the sale of Bradshaw. 

[Jamesbfc1887]

August and September:

A great start to the season for us, we're certainly holding our own in the league above.

August:

A win at QPR is a rare thing for Barnsley but thanks to Fosu we managed to do exactly that.

2-0 up thanks to Moore's 1st goal of the season against West Brom only to be pegged back to 2-2 is disappointing but I'll take a point happily.

We more than survived a visit to The Den with a Chuks Aneke 1st half goal gave us a 1-0 win against Millwall.

Next we destroyed Huddersfield, hitting the post no less than 4 times and we even managed to miss a penalty , but with 2 minutes remaining we stole all 3  points thanks to a Liam Lindsay header.

A disappointing loss to Norwich and a convincing demise against a Brighton side way too strong for us.

A really annoying game against Preston, we played against 10 men for more than an hour but we just couldn't a way through their stubborn defence.

A busy month but a good month and start to the season.

POTM:

Liam Lindsay, some solid performances in there, he's been a massive threat from corners providing a goal and an assist.

September:

Liam Lindsay once again on the score sheet in a 1-0 win. 3 points away from and a clean sheet is more than I could have wished for.

A really disappointing 2-1 defeat to Wigan we dominated the game but it's becoming a reoccurring  theme that we can't break down teams that "Park the Bus".

Birmingham away marked the return of Mamadou Thiam after that horrible crucial ligament injury that kept him out for 9 months and would you believe it he was back with a bang, a hat-trick against Birmingham Ireal couldn't belive what I was watching 9 months without playing a single game of football and then he does that!

The final game of the month was a 7 goal thriller, Aneke, McGeehan  and 2 goals from Thiam including a 95th minute winner to mark his second game back from injury.

A great month for us 9 points from a possible 12 is not bad going, I've already noticed that all of our goals seem to becoming from anybody but our striker, which is a bit of a problem that I've had in every save I've tried on FM this year and something other people seem 

POTM:

It was only ever going to be one man, he's only played in 2 games but he's a;ready scored more goals than he did in the entire last season . Well done Mama.

[DazRTaylor]

On course to challenge for promotion again!

On a different topic, kind of, I have been to Oakwell, but not to watch Yeovil.  Back in our early League Two days, so around 2002/03, we were away to York and myself and my mates drove to York only to find the game was closed off at the last minute.  Well, we were going to watch a football game no matter what. So drove to Oakwell and watched a drab 0-0 draw with Port Vale, with five Yeovil lads in the main Barnsley end behind the goal, in replica Yeovil tops.  The kids came down to us at half time and just stared at us wondering wtf was going on.  

[Jamesbfc1887]

Oh! and Sam Gallagher rejoined us on loan, he only scored 4 for us last season but we're not paying anything for him. So he'll do.

[Jamesbfc1887]

43 minutes ago, DazRTaylor said:

On course to challenge for promotion again!

On a different topic, kind of, I have been to Oakwell, but not to watch Yeovil.  Back in our early League Two days, so around 2002/03, we were away to York and myself and my mates drove to York only to find the game was closed off at the last minute.  Well, we were going to watch a football game no matter what. So drove to Oakwell and watched a drab 0-0 draw with Port Vale, with five Yeovil lads in the main Barnsley end behind the goal, in replica Yeovil tops.  The kids came down to us at half time and just stared at us wondering wtf was going on.  

I have to say I'm used to seeing the odd Prem team kit like Man UTD but I would certainly be a bit confused if I saw a couple of lads in a Yeovil kit at Oakwell. 

[Jamesbfc1887]

October:

Sigh! The Sheffield Wednesday game was a real tough one to take, we dominated the game but unfortunately we just don't ever beat this lot, coincidentally Wednesday have been bought by a tycoon and are busy splashing the cash they've almost spent £40 million no transfer embargo there that's for sure.

A second loss on the bounce and I was wondering whether the proverbial wheels were falling off! A 91st minute winner by Angel Gomes on loan from Man Utd, condemned us to defeat.

That's better 4-1 vs Scunthorpe who to be fair have so far given the Championship a good crack, Jordan Jones has been absolutely fantastic for us recently after a seemingly slow start, Aneke has taken to life in the Championship in his stride as well arriving late into the box to slot past Freddie Woodman in the Scunthorpe goal.

Oxford however have made a less than impressive start to the season and are already at risk of being cut adrift, after Karl Robinson left to become Cardiff manager after leading Oxford to promotion. George Moncur on great form to answer the questions of whether he could cut it in the Championship.

A big win over potential promotion contenders Leeds, a bizarre 5-2-2-1 formation from Leeds offering absolutely no width to speak of, and we took full advantage of it Thiam with another 2 to keep his great early season form.

POTM:

Jordan Jones takes player of the month, 4 goals this month I'm really starting to worry about a £3.8 million release fee in his contract.

Alex Mowatt was again unlucky not to win POTM, Mr Consistent in the middle for us.

 

I've changed some of the tactics around for this season and I'll post them soon.

[Jamesbfc1887]

Tactics:

We've changed our tactics since promotion, we're not able to dominate the games in the same way we were able to do so in League 1, so adapt we must.

We've stopped looking for the overlap, passing into space and we are now adopting a balanced approach rather than an attacking approach. All of these minor tactical adjustments have enabled us to keep control of games this year by somewhat taking the sting out of the game by having large amounts of possession. Unfortunately there are a lot of good teams with much better players than us in the championship and in order to limit the chances they get to come forward and attack I've felt it necessary to have larger amounts of possession than I ever thought we could.  

Now although this is not necessarily a bad thing per se but it does allow the opposition, if they want to to sit in and defend deep whilst watching us passing it around not making many inroads into their defence resulting in a large amount of long range shots. It's not all bad news though we've topped or been towards the top of every attacking stat namely:

 

This is by the end of December which I will show you shortly but as you can see we are creating and scoring a fair few goals this season.

[Jamesbfc1887]

November:

A month to take us right back down to reality 7 points from 5 games won't get us anywhere near to the play offs this season ad is more what I was expecting going into this season.

We NEVER beat Ipswich and this game was no different Cameron McGeehan saved us in the last couple of minutes to avoid defeat at Portman Road.

A blast of reality from promotion rivals Newcastle who are easily the best team in the league, we actually dominated the game but their class shone through.

No wins in 3 and I was having a mini breakdown for 5 minutes. Derby and Jack Marriott were again very clinical and both exposed our weaknesses to balls over the top and being counter attacked in general.

Much better Cardiff aren't having a great season after relegation from the Premier League, Moore doubled his tally for the season and I've been massively disappointed with the contributions from our strikers this year. Moore has 5 by January, Woodrow has 1, Gallagher and Victor have 0.

Another great strike from distance from McGeehan was enough to get us a big win against Villa to end November.

POTM:

Cameron McGeehan, he was the stand out player this month contributing 2 goals from midfield.

 

December:

Wow!, we're still up there and looking good for playoffs however top 2 is looking slightly beyond us, Newcastle in particular are starting to flex their muscles and potentially run away with the league.

2-2 against Bristol City was a disappointing result for us which shows exactly how far we have come in the last 18 months. Aneke and Thiam continue to churn out some great performances this season.

Brentford was only the second game all season we haven't scored in strange considering we had 20 shots including 10 on target. But we move, there's always next week, swings and roundabouts etc..  I suppose.

Rotherham have been pretty good so far this season mid table is probably more than they could have hoped for. The bookies had this down as a relegation clash with us predicted to finish 21st and Rotherham 22nd. 4-2 and what a game in front of the sky cameras we took the lead from a an early penalty, gave the lead up immediately and then went behind inside 15 minutes, we were much in the ascendancy and a 2 minute stunning brace from McGeehan, including two 20 yard plus screamers, was enough to give us a half time lead. A late Lloyd Isgrove counter attack killed the game off.

Boxing day provided a home fixture against QPR a 4-1 win and I was suddenly much the happier after scoring 4 goals in consecutive games. 

The last game of the year was a really tough fixture against fellow promotion contenders West Brom, we went behind on 70 minutes and pegged West Brom backed immediately courtesy to Brad Potts on 71 minutes.

A great end to a fantastic year we are right up there on course for 81 points (if my maths is correct) which should be good enough for play offs, but we'll have to see how January goes I guess, we have a few players who are stirring up some interset from other Championship and Premier League sides; Adam Davies, Liam Lindsay, Alex Mowatt, Cameron McGeehan and Jordan Jones are whipping up quite the interest. 

POTM:

Mamadou Thiam, 4 goals and an assist in December is a fantastic return from left wing.

[nsd]

Enjoying this, I scouted Barnsley extensively when I managed Stoke, they have some very good young players. Disappointed to see you didn't sign Neil Farrugia though, I'm not sure if he has random PA but he's developed unbelievably well for me, I'm fending off £40m bids!

[Jamesbfc1887]

17 minutes ago, nsd said:

Enjoying this, I scouted Barnsley extensively when I managed Stoke, they have some very good young players. Disappointed to see you didn't sign Neil Farrugia though, I'm not sure if he has random PA but he's developed unbelievably well for me, I'm fending off £40m bids!

Thanks 

£40m!!!!!  Why didn't you sat so?

I had enough fencing off of bids in January as it was. Which I'll try and post soon.

Barnsley do have some great young players Lindsay is probably pick of the bunch on FM, however I'm not his biggest fan url.

[nsd]

11 minutes ago, Jamesbfc1887 said:

Thanks 

£40m!!!!!  Why didn't you sat so?

I had enough fencing off of bids in January as it was. Which I'll try and post soon.

Barnsley do have some great young players Lindsay is probably pick of the bunch on FM, however I'm not his biggest fan url.

Just to rub it in a little more, here he is 

 

Spoiler

 

[Jamesbfc1887]

Not as good on my save, still on the shortlist. 

[Jamesbfc1887]

January:

A great start to the month against a struggling Millwall side, a hat-trick for Aneke as well.

Tariq Fosu some backs to bite the hand that once fed him, as we breeze passed Reading in the cup.

A big televised game against Huddersfield next 2nd hosts 4th, we'd previously beaten them earlier in the season but I was certainly anything but confident against an incredibly talented Huddersfield side. Pinillos was sent off before Aneke gave us an unlikely lead but we couldn't see it out unfortunately.

Jordan Jones back in form and back in the goals with a sweet strike into the top left corner.

A disappointing end to the month as we go down 1-0 to Preston.

A massive game for us in the FA Cup, we gave Liverpool more than a decent game but really didn't deserve to get anything from the game.

5th in the league and only 5 points off 2nd is not a bad return all things considered.

POTM:

Adam Jackson has been nothing but sublime in the last month, he's really stepped up and an assist too. Well done Adam.

[Jamesbfc1887]

Transfers:

Out:

I'll start with the outs and well there's a few big ones.

 

He was such a great player for us, probably one of the only players a the club who has Premier League potential but he wanted the move and it was decent enough money.

Adam Davies leaves us after 6 years at the club. He was a great keeper for us but £7.75m for a 28 year old is something I can't turn down.

In:

In true Barnsley tradition we couldn't actually spend any of the money we bring in. No, of the £19m we brought in only £1.7m was spent. Leaving me with  and the board with  a profit of £19m this season isn't too bad is it?

So who did we spend this £1.7m on, I'm sure you're dying to know;

We'll start with the most expensive of the deals. £600k on Lewis Morgan, for anybody who read my Barnsley save last year my remember was fantastic for me. Hopefully he'll repeat his performances for me on FM19.

Cordoba is a bit of a punt to be honest I don't know how we'll turn out and my Brexit means he can't be registered on an U-23 player work permit.

Taublieb is a strange one to be honest he looks decent enough but he's only 5'9 and his technicals aren't good enough to play in midfield or at Full back.

 

Joyce, joins from Billericay for £250K we'll see how he develops.

Now, I was having trouble finding a replacement for Davies so I thought who has too many keepers and can't play them all oh yes! Wednesday , so I had a look at Kieren Westwood he doesn't do much these days apart from pick up £30k a week for doing naff all . But Dawson was in Wednesday's U-23s and for that price I thought why not 2 young keepers now. Walton will be number 1 for now, it's only right considering he's played understudy to Davies for 18 months for me so I'll give him a chance to make the number 1 shirt his own.

We've had massive problems with strikers this season all our goals have come from midfield and the defence and I hope he'll be the answer to the problem, a great signing for us, I'm chuffed to bits tbh.

Mousset will hopefully be the answer to our problems.

A replacement of sorts to Lindsay he's got roughly similar potential to Lindsay by the looks of it the only problem is that he's not ours.

 

Whether we can stay towards the top end of the league after January is a question I don't know the answer to. I wasn't planning to do anything in January but the change in circumstances meant we had to do otherwise.

 

[DazRTaylor]

Some astute transfer business there.  

[SpillBlood]

Ouch on the sale of Lindsay, he looks good on my save.  Good money on both those sales and seems odd for them to be in Janury!

But nice on those striker loans!  They're both good enough to earn your promotion!

[Jamesbfc1887]

February:

22 hours ago, DazRTaylor said:

Some astute transfer business there.  

 

22 hours ago, SpillBlood said:

Ouch on the sale of Lindsay, he looks good on my save.  Good money on both those sales and seems odd for them to be in Janury!

But nice on those striker loans!  They're both good enough to earn your promotion!

You two were saying. 

For Reading away we switched to a 442 and who popped up on debut Mousset with the last minute winner.

The next new signing to get on the score was Isak but the most important goal of the game was this a true FM goal.  https://i.gyazo.com/34e568ddd9861b062a1c743098d59ab8.mp4  Honestly!

1 goal for Isak was clearly not enough so he started the game against Birmingham quickly, 23 seconds to be precise followed by 2 more including a 2 minute salvo from him and Pottsy.

Middlesbrough have been chasing Cam McGeehan all season and he showed them just what they were missing out on a 25 yard strike gave us a crucial 1-0 win.

January signings Morgan and Isak gave us our first win at Hillsborough since February 2009.

The top two clashed in a game that could well determine who goes on to clinch promotion. Blackburn were put ahead by Joe Willock before Brad Potts finished a fantastic counter attacking move to draw us level and ten minutes after the break Isak put us ahead with his head, McGeehan missed a penalty and we then managed to hit the wood-work an incredible 4 times, I've never seen anything like it, I was so sure by this point that they would go down the other end and nick one. Which would have been a travesty considering the stats. 

An amazing month for us 6 straight wins from 6 is an amazing effort the January recruits have been simply brilliant. 4 points clear of West Brom in 3rd as well 

POTM:

Isak, it could be no one else really 7 goals from 6 games is unbelievable, I hope he can keep that level of form up for the rest of the season.

[Mr Adam]

Enjoyable read - well done. How are Sunderland getting on in their second year in League One?

[Jamesbfc1887]

4 hours ago, Mr Adam said:

Enjoyable read - well done. How are Sunderland getting on in their second year in League One?

More like it!

[Jamesbfc1887]

March:

Wow!

Our incredible post January run continues 10 wins in a row a pretty rare feet for me tbh.

Goals from all over the pitch has summed us up this year, 2 goals courtesy of our two centre backs against a struggling Scunthorpe.

Next up was by far the worst team in the league a somewhat feeble attempt if i'm being honest, before the game Oxford required a win to avoid relegation but we weren't so obliging a convincing 4-1 victory, Isak with 2 really repaying the risk we took in January.

A big game was just around the corner and a big day for one man in particular, Alex Mowatt form Leeds player and fan a visitor at Elland Road for the very first time. Well this turned out to be one of the funniest games I've had all season for 2 reasons this, https://i.gyazo.com/7a19160dc20630d56b8863a2aba58495.mp4

Just hilarious really, Isak robbed of a goal there and then off the bench Mowatt pops up and scores against his old side to round off a wonderful performance and day.

Isak again in the goals, another 2 for the Dortmund loanee, more goals from the midfield as well, Mowatt, Dougall and Styles all putting a shift in.

POTM:

Isak came up with the goods once again to claim POTM for the second month in a row. The majority of his goals have come from headers, I didn't realise that he's actually 6'4 and his 18 jumping mean he's unrivalled in the air most games.

 

Another big injury to one of our most influential players, he'll miss the rest of the season and may not come back the same player a knee ligament injury is a real bad one, hopefully Moncur can hold that position on his own. 

 

We've been able to pull away at the top of the league, 10 points clear of 3rd. I couldn't be happier I just hope we don't bottle it that's all.  

[jstars]

Love it !!!

excellent read on my break at work

[Jamesbfc1887]

19 hours ago, jstars said:

Love it !!!

excellent read on my break at work

Thanks 

[Jamesbfc1887]

End Of Season:

 Our fantastic season ended with promotion mainly thanks to our fantastic post Christmas form.

 

Our run continued against Newcastle with a 2-0 win, which is testiment to how well we've come on in the last two years, with again Isak on the score sheet.

Our outstandingly consistent run continued, another clean sheet as well as some alternative goal scorers in Jackson and Styles.

13 wins in a row, I don't ever remember winning that many games in a row and another clean sheet, our run is simply mad.

The game that clinched the title, an amazing 3-2 victory over Aston Villa goals from the youngster Joyce and Moncur and fittingly won by Isak with his 14th of the season since January!  

It would be fair to say I thought a couple of our players ha been out on the lash during the first half against Bristol City and I thought the run was over, 1-0 down with 10 to play, who could save us? A stunning equaliser from Jones and then a dramatic late winner from Dougall saw us gain our 15th straight win.

A much rotated side entertained Brentford for our finally home game of the season and the intensity just wasn't there but it was more about the occasion than the result.

 

So,

The end of the season is here, we've ended up at the top of table quite comfortably in all honestly with 97 points on the chase for 100, but there's just one game to and although we've finished our season, some teams have a little to play for.

Well what do we have here?  @SpillBlood Rotherham away in the final game. Rotherham are all but safe 3 points and a 6 goal swing in QPRs favour in order for Rotherham to be relegated.

That wouldn't seem that likely unless Rotherham happened to be playing the top scorers in the league of course. Lucky for Rovrum 'God it's like I've got Rotherham tourettes, 5 times in the last 2 lines that is"   QPR are at home to Middlesbrough me thinks they're good. Oh there crap you say, well this could be interesting.  

Oh and thanks to Oxford for turning up this season, that's a p*** poor attempt in all honesty.

 

You'll find out what happens on the final day soon!

[SpillBlood]

Come on @Jamesbfc1887 tell me if we stayed up!

P.S Where's Ajayi and Vaulks?

[Jamesbfc1887]

Final Day Drama:

The two games that matter. QPR host Middlesbrough, whilst Rotherham host us. QPR need a win and hope that Rotherham lose against us as well as a dramatic six goal swing in their favour. Rotherham can avoid relegation if they avoid defeat.

 

 

Michael Smith has 22 league goals which I find hard to believe.

As our asymmetric system 4-2-3-1 goes up against Rotherham's 4-1-4-1

 

https://i.gyazo.com/398551dc71716a2cee73763731d426d4.mp4

1-0 QPR, Josh Scowen gives QPR an early lead and a glimmer of hope.

https://i.gyazo.com/b0411c869c09a74a7b0ce9a741efe92a.mp4

1-0 Barnsley, Kenny Dougall with the strike on 20 minutes, which puts QPR level on points with Rotherham!

https://i.gyazo.com/6f31f4414676d07a8985ffb50672e88f.mp4

2-0 QPR, surely not. The gap is now just 3 goals after 30 manic minutes.

 

Half Time:

Both teams lie on 46 points, with Rotherham with a goald difference of -23 and QPR with -25.

QPR need a 3 goal swing in the second half to survive with Rotherham knowing 1 goal could well see them safe.

 

https://i.gyazo.com/47466548b61feb257823587e4f996430.mp4

OMG  3-0 QPR!!!!! Another corner goal in of the most dramatic final days in recent history. Former Miller Ryan Manning with 2 assists with 3 goals directly from his corners.

Josh Scowen sent off!!!! A season deciding moment at Loftus Road.

 

https://i.gyazo.com/6395428ab4247ffa04fa49f87dbdfc15.mp4

Unbelievable!!!!!!!! 2-0 and Rotherham's goal difference lead is gone they're now surviving on goals scored, 1 goal for QPR or Barnsley would condemn them to relegation.

 

https://i.gyazo.com/b176c0d7ac7465852da05a1df317c270.mp4

Mousetttttttttt, 3-0 Barnsley I don't believe my eyes Rotherham are in the relegation zone just 10 minutes from time, QPR are staying up .

 

https://i.gyazo.com/36be025bae44dea778daeb7e66f3b497.mp4

Gestedeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, oh I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again. 3-1 Middlesbrough have scored in the 91st minute to break QPR hearts and save Rotherham from the most unlikely of relegations, I simply don't believe what is going on.

 

Full Time:

Rotherham 0-3 Barnsley

QPR 3-1 Middlesbrough

Rotherham survive on goals scored!!!!!! 

 

The final league table looks like this:

 

Crazy crazy stuff.

@SpillBlood

Ajayi doesn't seem up to much. Only 18 games played this season.

Vaulks looks fantastic. Mainstay in the side by all accounts.

 

[SpillBlood]

Bloody heck that's mad!  Why didn't they loan Rodak again? :(.

Ajayi is still backup for me in the Prem.  Not sure why he isn't ahead of O'Connor!  Vaulks is back up for me as well still, glad he's looking good for them.

How in the world did Smith get so many goals.  That's just bloody crazy . 

Congrats on 100 points by the way!  Will be interesting to see what happens in the summer!

[Jamesbfc1887]

27 minutes ago, SpillBlood said:

Bloody heck that's mad!  Why didn't they loan Rodak again? :(.

Ajayi is still backup for me in the Prem.  Not sure why he isn't ahead of O'Connor!  Vaulks is back up for me as well still, glad he's looking good for them.

How in the world did Smith get so many goals.  That's just bloody crazy . 

Congrats on 100 points by the way!  Will be interesting to see what happens in the summer!

Cheers, that was completely mental. 

I've finished the summer now but at the time I had a long and hard think about whether I would give the lads who took us up a shot at the premier league or do my best to get as good of a squad as I can put together, which would mean large scale changes to the squad.

[Jamesbfc1887]

Season Review:

Wow!!!! an amazing season we 100 points is more than i'd ever have thought we could attain. Newcastle will join us as they bounce straight back to the Premier League.

Jackson and Mowatt in the TOTY and manager of the year for me.

Not much to say about this really, just that we're good at most things.

[Jamesbfc1887]

Awards:

Player of the Season:

Alexander Isak, a simply wonderful return from the January window signing, 14 goals in 17, hopefully we can get him back next season.

Young Player of the Season:

Jordan Williams, the best U23 this season, outperformed his ability this season, I doubt he will be able to continue that in the premier league.

Unsung Hero:

Adam Jackson. Solid at the back 42 appearances in the league this season, he's played with Lindsay, Pinnock and Simic. He's probably our least gifted centre back but I've enjoyed seeing him play no end.

Most Improved:

Callum Styles, a great rotation option who played quite a few games this season, he'll probably be moved on as I don't think he'll ever be good enough for the prem.

Best Newcomer:

I could have easily given this to Isak but I'll share the awards around a bit. Jordan Jones a pretty decent return for a free transfer, He played mainly on the right as a winger which is far from his preferred position but he was still great for me this season, he's a wanted man though and if the right price comes along I'll have to move him on.

 

Merry Christmas to anyone reading 

A transfer update and a preview to our Premier League campaign will be coming up soon.

[Jamesbfc1887]

Transfers:

Budget:

£26 million to spend so lets see what we did with it. 

Out:

The majority of the players that we have built our success on but unfortunately they're not going to be good enough for the Premier League.

In:

We've been pretty quite in the last few seasons but not this time it was a busy summer for sure.

In price order:

 

Tim Amarikwa, the young American joins for £10.5 million from LA Galaxy, his crossing first touch and dribbling are all quality and with 19 determination I think we could have a real good one on our hands.

Matheus Cunha, he's probably going to be utilised on the right hand side. Naturally both footed and some more great stats for an inside forward.

Dan-Axel Zagadou, I can't really believe we've been able to get him in to be honest he's definitely got the potential to be a top Premier League player.

A familiar face returns to Oakwell in Ben Pearson. £3.2 million is not a lot for a Premier League ready midfielder.

Alessandro Murgia, a bit of a gem on FM this year I'm really happy to have him in the squad.

Dusko Trubarac, a young exciting full back with excellent physicals, he probably needs as year on loan somewhere but he's not going to get it, straight into the firing line he goes, sink or swim I'm afraid.

Tobias Svendsen, probably not as good as he was on last years FM but hopefully he can still do a job.

Milos Popovic, no work permit as he's not £8k a week but he's not good enough yet but for £600k he's worth a punt.

Melvin Bard, a steal for £425K with money running dry you have to take a punt on someone.

 

Pedro Sa, A youngster for the future, decent physical stats as well.

No work Permit for Cesar Medina, but I'm really excited about his future, great mental, decent physicals but his technicals leave something to be desired.

Luis Pompilio Meza, Meh (don't fancy some in Barnsley to say that after a few). So we'll go with "Louis" silent "S". 

Mathew Morgan, it feels like he was signed before time itself, it's taken that long for him to arrive.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jamesbfc1887]

Marlon Correia, I don't know if he'll ever be good enough.

Ian Santilli, A freebie, he might develop better than expected but I don't hold high hopes.

I'm delighted to bring Bryan Garnica to the club, a free transfer from Atlas in Mexico, all the attributes you want from a winger.

Christopher Nkunku, he was never going to get any game time at PSG, but he's a cracking player for us.

Olimpiu Morutan, a good loan signing and a bit of a gem this year as well, I can't see him getting too much game time at Bayern so hopefully if he has a successful loan spell his move can be be a long lasting one to Barnsley.

Allan Campbell, another good midfield option, we wanted him 18 months ago but we've got him loan now.

Fan Favourite Alexander Isak, rejoins us for another year, I'd have loved to made his signing permanent but they want £10 million we don't have. 

[SpillBlood]

Getting Alexander Isak back is huge.  I'd keep Dusko Trubarac at the club though, get him home grown, play him in cup games.  Christopher Nkunku is a cracking signing for you! Dan-Axel Zagadou is a steal!! He's worth 45mil and playing at Manchester City on my save!

You should of got Dejan Joveljic, Armin Djerlek, Zlatan Sehovic and Ajdin Hasic

[Jamesbfc1887]

10 hours ago, SpillBlood said:

Getting Alexander Isak back is huge.  I'd keep Dusko Trubarac at the club though, get him home grown, play him in cup games.  Christopher Nkunku is a cracking signing for you! Dan-Axel Zagadou is a steal!! He's worth 45mil and playing at Manchester City on my save!

You should of got Dejan Joveljic, Armin Djerlek, Zlatan Sehovic and Ajdin Hasic

I'm really happy with all of those signings, Trubarac will get plenty of game time as it's him or Bard and there's not a lot between them. 

[SpillBlood]

Oh yeah I forgot to add Tim Amarikwa because he looks bloody good.  He could be set for big big things, hopefully can become a world class Barnsley legend .

[Jamesbfc1887]

10 hours ago, SpillBlood said:

Oh yeah I forgot to add Tim Amarikwa because he looks bloody good.  He could be set for big big things, hopefully can become a world class Barnsley legend .

Looks the business so far 

[Jamesbfc1887]

Season Preview:

These are the players that will hopefully guide us through this first season in the Premier League. Some decent players in their to be fair but it'll be a bumpy 9 months ahead that's for sure. I'm excited about Amarikwa particularly I genuinely believbe he could be one of the best players in the World on day. Elsewhere I think the defence is possibly a weak point for us, Jordan Williams has managed to make it all the way to the Prem with us which is nice but we could definitely do better, I hope he steps up to the plate. Zagadou, should be a star for us, a real bargain. Same 2 goalies as last season as well both not up to Prem standards but we'll deal with it anywho.

Are midfield is a real strong point, so many options, Mowatt and McGeehan where fantastic last season but we've managed to add better players than them in the summer Nkunku and Murgia are real standouts for us. Really looking forward to see Ben Pearson in a Barnsley shirt, back where his career really kicked off. 

Going forward we'll have to rely on service from the wings, through the before mentioned Amarikwa and Garnica who's an absolute steal, Jordan Jones will be vital if we are to be successful this season. Matheus Cunha is a difficult one, he'll probably be used wide right as an inside forward, he's been around the block and never really found a home, maybe this time for him.

The attack takes a familiar shape with Alexander Isak and Lys Mousset looking to fire us to victory, lets see if they make the step up.

 

Well it's nice to see the bookies are backing us then, cheers lads! 

By the looks of this predicted table there are more than a few poor tams in this division, which gives me great hope we can at least be less bad than 3 other teams.

Targets:

One simple aim this season, DON'T GET RELEGATED!

[Jamesbfc1887]

Tactics:

Where just gonna go for it this season. This has worked for me so far. As we improve and teams start to respect us a bit more I've got a couple of tactics I've used on other saves that should come in handy but for now this is all we need.

[Jamesbfc1887]

August:

A great start to the Premier League for us.

I think it's fair to say that the fixture list has been less than kind to us, our first game in the season was a tough game at Home to Spurs and after a dominant display Murgia pops up with a stunning volley. More goals from midfield followed with Christopher Nkunku giving us a sensational first half lead at the Emirates. But it was not to be and Luis Alberto levelled after the break to deny us the 3 points. Our next game was another home fixture this time against West Ham and our star players kicked in to life with Amarikwa and Isak both scoring twice to give us an emphatic victory. Flying after 3 games unbeaten and 7 points out of 9, we were swiftly brought back down to Earth by Everton, a 1st minute goal from Bryan Garnica was swiftly forgotten as Everton put 4 past us leaving us fruitless from our trip across the Pennines.

A 0-0 against Burnley was a bit of a disappointment. A fully rotated 11 (not to make excuses ) headed to Sheffield and fell short on penalties, moving swiftly on we travelled up the A1 (M) to Newcastle, this time Lewis Morgan and guess who? with the goals to give us a big 3 points against a fellow promoted side.

POTM:

Alexander Isak, surprise surprise, 3 goals in the opening 6 games is a great return hopefully he can continue this fantastic form throughout the season.

A special mention goes to these guys;

Nkunku has been brilliant in midfield for us and is looking like a real great pick up. Tim Amarikwa has started the season brilliantly 2 goals and 2 assists has been a solid contribution from the young American.