displaced_seagull

displaced_seagull

displaced_seagull

Authors Notes

Well, I couldn't drag myself away. Been active recently, reading a lot of stories - there is some excellent stuff being written again. So, I've decided to add my own little bit of drivel to it.

This game is scheduled to be my last one on FM06, a game I've absolutley loved. I've recently got a new PC (Athlon 64 3500, 2GB DDR RAM, stat fans :cool: ), and FM is absolutley lightening fast on it. To save and exit the game takes about 5 seconds

Running; England, France, Holland, Scotland (All Leagues), Italy (to Serie B), Spain (to Segunda Division), Belgium (To Second Division) and the top divisions in Brazil and Argentina. There's also 3 or 4 African Nations on 'Retain All Players', mainly to add more talent for me to look at when I was managing in France.

Enjoy

Wimb The Barman

Welcome back \o/ *Wimb looks forward to this one *

displaced_seagull

The less said about my outstanding tab, the better - cheers.



It would later emerge that Fairway had turned down the chance to manage Scottish First Division side Hibernian only 24 hours before taking the Barnsley job - something which instantly endeared him to the Tykes faithful. The Press Conference was a routine one - full of the usual questions about ambitions, transfer targets and, for some, the chance to attempt to build a positive relationship with the new man, anticipating future 'leaks' from 'sources' at the club.

By the time the press pack had been cleared from the Oakwell Press Room, and the formalities had been dealt with, it was early afternoon. Fairway met his players for the first time at the attached training ground - having already been introduced to the staff in the morning. Assistant Dave Gorman , an aimiable Scot, would keep his job, as would Youth Team Manager and Coach Mike Cargill . Head Coach Mick Tarmey , Physios Pornnaret Nakmek , David Atkinson and Scouts Ben Biggar and Dean Kemp would also remain in their roles, for the near future at least.

His squad comprised 31 players - of whom one, Defender Wes Morgan , would be on loan at Oakwell until the first week of January 2007. Fairway was pleased to see that the club's previous match, in the First Round of the FA Cup, had been televised - and a video was available for him to see his new squad in competitive action. The result certainly was a positive one - a Tommy Wright brace secured victory over Preston North End , handing the Tykes a Second Round match against Macclesfield Town . Barnsley had played the same club recently in the other Cup competition that they were still involved with - the Johnstone's Paint Trophy , defending the Cup that they won last season. Victory - also by a 2-0 margin - in the first round of that competition would see them travelling to Crewe Alexandra .

Reasonably impressed by the playing staff, and very impressed by the club setup - Oakwell, a former Premiership ground, is an imposing arena seating just over 23000 - Fairway set about making some notes on his squad, based on what he had seen of the players, both in training and in the video of Saturday's game. With just three days before his first game in charge, at home to Mansfield , he knew that he would have to move fast - and that a long night would be called for.

Barnsley FC - Squad Review - 8/11/06

Goalkeepers

Wayne Brown - 29
Nick Colgan - 33 (8 Caps for Ireland)
Craig Samson - 22 (7 U21 Caps for Scotland)
Rodney Ubbergen - 20

Of the 'keepers, youngsters Ubbergen and Samson have both had runs in the first team this season. Ubbergen in particular looks an excellent prospect - although quite short for a 'keeper at 5'11", he is decent in the air and is quick off his line. Samson, reportedly interesting other clubs, is calm and unflappable - assets not usually attributed to young stoppers. Of the backups, summer signing Brown looks to be dispensable, while veteran Colgan has been around the clubs, but is not considered especially reliable.

Defenders - Full Backs

Neil Austin - 23 - DR
Bobby Hassell - 26 - DRC
Rob Atkinson - 19 - D/WBL
Robbie Williams - 22 - D/WBL
Paul Heckingbottom - 29 - D/WB/ML

On the right, Austin is a workmanlike defender with strength in the tackle, and has little competition from the rather rash Hassell , who is known for diving in to challenges. The left, however, is a little less clear-cut - local lad Williams - not a singer - has bags of ability and positional awareness, but is perhaps let down by his distribution, whilst teenage prospect Atkinson works hard, but is carrying a little too much weight at present. The oldest of the full backs, ex-Norwich man Heckingbottom , is versatile and likes to get forward, offering an attacking option from a deeper lying role.

Defenders - Centre Backs

Wes Morgan - 22 - DC (On Loan from Nottingham Forest until 6.1.07)
Tony Vaughan - 31 - DLC
Adam El-Abd - 22 - DC
Lee Price - 16 - DC
Antony Kay - 24 - D/MC

At the back, Morgan , on loan for another couple of months, is certainly a player with potential. Physically imposing, he has plenty of strength in his upper body to be able to hold off opponents. El Abd , signed from Brighton last season, is another talented player - strong, brave and fleet of foot. One-club man Kay , due a testamonial in two years, is a more cultured defensive player - always keen to bring the ball out of trouble. While he remains a grafter and committed to the club, it has been rumoured that he is currently disapointed with the way things are going at Oakwell in the League. Vaughan is nowadays a fringe player at best - once he was thought of as the next big thing, but problems with injuries capped that potential long ago. Likewise, although at the opposite end of his career, 16-Year old Price came through the youth system in the summer, and whilst he is tall for his age and a determined character, he perhaps lacks the ability at this level.

Midfielders - Defensive

Nuno Morias - 22 - DC/DM (7 U21 Caps for Portugal)
Nicky Wroe - 21 - MRLC

Short, skillful and with a fine first touch, Morais has the ability to control a game with his passing and range. To add to his technical ability, he is no slouch - quick, determined and strong. A key asset. Similarly, Wroe is an exciting prospect. Physically athletic, he has bags of stamina, pace and natural fitness, and is also something of a pass master - able to hit a wide range of passes to high standards.

Midfielders - Wingers

Kevin Foster - 16 - MR
Neil Higgins - 16 - AMRL
Brian Howard - 23 - AML
Martin Devaney - 26 - AMRL
Chris Shuker - 24 - AMRL/FC

Dudley-born youth team graduate Foster has already had his first taste of senior football - coming off the bench in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy against Macclesfield. Quick and agile, he is a decent crosser of the ball, and is one for the future. Scottish youngster Higgins however is something else - a quick, exciting player, he is one who gets the crowd on their feet, and has recently made his senior bow in the League, used as a substitute. On the left, ex-Southampton winger Howard has the ability to beat his man and hit a fine cross from a moving or standing poisition. He has also been known to hit the odd, powerful, long range effort. Diminutive Scouser Shuker gets to the byeline quickly, and makes it his own. One of the loudest in the team, Shuker uses his pace to great effect, and can be a devastating weapon in the Barnsley armoury. Irishman Devaney , on the other hand, has pace but little else - competent rather than outstanding.

Midfielders - Central/Attacking

Simon Heslop - 19 - MRLC
Dale Tonge - 21 - MRC
Richard Kell - 27 - MC

Impressive youngster Heslop is a hardworking, creative maestro with a fine left foot. A former youth teamer, what he lacks in pace he makes up for in his all-round ability. Kell is a different prospect entirely - vocal and energetic, he is always to be found hustling and bustling for 90 minutes, but can also create. Currently transfer listed. Finally, Tonge is something of an oddity - the only member of the squad on a part-time contract. Another 'box-to-box' man, Tonge can be a threat with the ball at his feet.

Strikers

Tommy Wright - 22 - SC
Marc Richards - 24 - SC
Daniel Nardiello - 24 - SC (2 Caps/1 Goal for Wales)
Paul Hayes - 23 - SC
Danny Moore - 16 - SC
James Butler - 16 - SC
Chris Holmes - 16 - SC

Wright is the name that all the local kids have on the back of their replica shirts - a hard working, 'fox in the box' style striker, he has bagged 12 goals already this season and will be a crucial player as the club strive for an instant return to League One. Twice-capped Nardiello is of similar standing - certainly more of a penalty-box striker than a creative, 'second striker'. Hayes , however, is certainly someone who carve out chances as well as net them - a nippy frontman with great technical ability, but is currently out for a month with ankle trouble. Richards - yet another targetman type - completes the established forwards, and is adequate rather than spectacular. Of the three youngsters, the quick Moore is the only one to have made a senior appearance - and has also scored for the first team. Holmes has scored for fun at U18 level, but doesent seem to be rated by the staff at the club, whilst Butler is similar to several players already at the club - another targetman style striker.

Reading and rereading his words, Fairway found them useful. He would refer to them frequently when talking to his assistant, Dave Gorman, ahead of making an immediate impact as manager of Barnsley FC.

Peacemaker7

Nice to see you back one more mr seagul. You just can't stay away, can you :p

Peacemaker7

I would say, deja vu, but when the first post gets deleted that won't make any sense. But we'll know, won't we

displaced_seagull

Hush

Cheers. No, I can't keep away

Hopefully this comeback will be a lot longer lived than some of the previous ones though.

gil

Good start, keep it up

displaced_seagull

cheers :thup:


By Friday, Fairway recieved bids for his transfer listed quartet - Wayne Brown attracting the most significant interest, with both Exeter City and Gravesend & Northfleet having bids of £5000 and £3000 respectivley accepted. Martin Devaney and Bobby Hassell also drew bids - both free transfer offers from Grays and Sc unthorpe respectivley.

Barnsley v Mansfield Town - 11/11/06 - League Two

With Fairway introduced ahead of the match to the Oakwell crowd, Barnsley lined up in a 4-4-2 Diamond formation - with Nicky Wroe at its point and Nuno Morais at it's base, the link man between defence and midfield. Elsewhere there were no real suprises in the selection - Wright and Nardiello up front. It was the latter who opened the scoring - after a nervy start with Barnsley taking time to adapt to their new style of play, the Welshman drilled home from the penalty spot after Sterling had tripped him when Williams put the ball into the box. Four minutes later, Nardiello was again on target - this time finishing off a Tommy Wright crossfield ball to give Barnsley a healthy lead at the break. Williams, having taken a knock, was replaced by El-Abd at the break, but it didn't spoil the momentum - Barnsley continuing to look the better side after the break, with Wroe in particular running the midfield. Just after the hour Heslop was thrown into the fray to replace Howard on the left, and on 70, El-Abd broke up a Mansfield attack to provide the cross for Wright to add to the goals with a finish from a tight angle. It would be his last action of the game - the ex-Leicester striker picking up a knock as he fired home - and was replaced by Richards to a standing ovation. Things got a bit scrappy towards the end - Mansfield's Hjelde dismissed for a professional foul on Richards with three minutes to go - but the roar at the final whistle told the whole story.

Barnsley 3 - Mansfield 0

Attendance; 8482

Barnsley League Position; 7th