So the new look Reds are back in pre-season training with Keith Hill quoted in the press as saying “It [our first day of training] was brilliant, the players were really receptive and it was very enjoyable,”.

I can't wait for the new season to kick-off, or even get a glimpse at the new charges in a friendly, when the all of us fans will get a taster of what might be to come under the new regime.

Will the Reds turn the recent tide this year?


200Image via Wikipedia
You have to consider that if last season, the league was based on Away form only, Barnsley FC would have finished 22nd and would have been relegated along with the Blunts (23rd) and Palace (24th). Surely, the first job is to make us a more solid outfit in that respect and Nottingham Forest on the opening day is the perfect opportunity to get that monkey off our back quickly.

Over the last 10 years, Barnsley FC have accrued 267 points in 230 games overall whilst playing in the Championship. Which is an average of 53 points per season. So if anyone is looking for us to over-achieve our standing, this is the real litmus test. That's an average of 1.15 points per game. Keep a close eye on this statistic ... it's going to be telling us an awful lot about the level of improvement we make.

But why not dare to dream. Over the last 10 seasons an average of 87 points have been needed to secure an automatic promotion spot, which is an average of 1.9 points per game. Solid home form, with a mixture of away wins and draws makes Mr Consistent a perfect candidate, but is that a stretch too far?

As with all statistics ... you can literally go on forever. But in HillCroft we trust, "Come on you Reds" and shake the Championship in 2011 / 12



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Ian Wilkinson

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Anonymous said...

We have lost our captain and leader, Hammill's creativity and goals from midfield, so can't see us reaching last year's total - I fear relegation is the most realistic outcome and a reflection of the current ownership cutting costs to increase the chances of selling the club

bsandy said...

Oh ye of litle faith!! The season hasn't even started yet so give the club a chance. Judge Hillcroft and the team when we have had the opportunity to see them play, not before a ball has been kicked. Hammill, like Brian Howard, was a big fish in a small pond. Look what happens when they move into a big pond.More time on the bench than the pitch! Let's get rid of the doom and gloom around Oakwell and look forward to an entertaining season. You never know . . .!!

Anonymous said...

There is faith and there is blind faith. Afraid I am only being realistic. Hope I'm wrong