This week as seen a deluge of activity and debate on social network sites concerning Barnsley FC. And yes, there's a real mix of opinions out there. This week, OnThePontyEnd was messaged by one supporter, Andy White, with his views on the supposed troubles at Oakwell. We simply had to share this with readers. Follow Andy on Twitter @apwhite13.
Anyone who follows me on Twiiter, or either of the 2 most popular fans forum boards (The BBS and Tykesmad), will know that I called for the appointment of 'Hillcroft' this summer. I'll be honest, I had a wishlist of three. Wilson, Tisdale and Hillcroft. So of course, I was happy when on the 1st of June, Keith Hill and Dave Flitcroft were announced as our new management team.
I had noticed their great work at Rochdale over the last few years, and always thought they'd be ideal at Oakwell. So after the many Keith Hill soundbites, promises of a quick attacking game, with lower-league diamonds etc, I renewed my season ticket for an 18th straight year. I even moved seats to get away from the "Negative Nellies" that were sat to the side of me. I was full of hope, optimism, and drooling at the football served up in pre-season ... and so, the first 10 days of the new campaign have brought me back down to the real world. And boy what a bump! The polar opposite of what we were told to expect, has hit hard.
And despite my positive outlook, I was absolutely appalled this last 7 days, at both the disheartening performances, and the words of Keith Hill. Ive put my opinions forward on all 3 internet forums mentioned previously, and so im not going to use this vehicle to reiterate them now. What i want to do is forget the pessimism. I want to issue a rallying cry to the eight or so thousand Tarn fans, who I'm pretty sure deep down, would like nothing more than to see our dynamic duo defy the odds, the boo-boys, and turn around our fortunes this season.
So, just stop and think for a moment. Keith, and the players are saying the awful atmosphere at Oakwell (it's got worse every year since we came back up) is affecting the team. Of course it is. Just imagine you're playing football. And every time you are on the ball the crowd is silent, and waiting for you to slip-up. And when you do make a mistake, they're shouting, sighing, booing, screaming. Its hardly going to inspire you is it?! I bet its real inspiration for the opposition though ... So, imagine now you're playing, and as soon as the match starts the crowd are jovial, they're singing, cheering and offering encouragement. You lose the ball and they're still continuing their support. They haven't gone silent, they're bouyant, they're defiant. Think what that would do for your confidence. Think what that would do for the oppositions confidence. And imagine how good you would feel as a fan, if after supporting all game (its only 90 mins, dont be embarrassed, watch the German league, they do it fantastically) the lads have played out of their skin. You would know that it was your effort that helped them deliver that standard. You would at last be a 'supporter'.
There's also the small comfort in knowing, that if the displays were still gash, that the players and management would have nothing to blame us for. The excuse wouldn't wash, forcing them to look within..
Im probably wasting my time here with all this. There are too many at the 'well who are quite happy to just sit quietly waiting for something to happen. The East Stand is positively comatose. Its a running joke, but one I don't find particularly funny. Its not the blummin' theatre! Why be embarrassed or scared to sing and get behind the team? Surely we are all the same..
Well, it doesnt appear true anymore im afraid. When Boro equalised on Tuesday, I sprung out my seat and sang, "BARNS-ER-LEY BARNS-ER-LEY BARNS-ER-LEY" and looked around for support. A handful of lads joined in but the amount of faces sneering at me with such anger and disdain was frightening and I soon sat back down, saddened more by their reaction than the fact we had conceded a goal. And so the few of us who tried to re-energise the team, were drowned out by foul-mouths and silence. Deafening silence. 2 mins later and it was 2-1 Boro and I didn't stand. Many around me did. Booing, screaming and some walking out! My head was in my hands. I didn't feel like i wanted to be there anymore.
When the 3rd comical goal went in i ashamedly shouted in anger, "You're rubbish!" or words to that effect. I think the negative atmosphere had got to me too, and I also felt the team had let me down too at that point.
I then went online and posted my thoughts on what went wrong. I slagged off the managements tactics, team selection and post match comments. I slated the players. I chose though, not to attack the fans etc. As I would have been strung up.
It seems the minority/majority of supporters WANT to be negative, WANT to boo, WANT the team to lose, and WANT Hillcroft to fail.. and that is breaking my heart. I have no idea how to change the Oakwell atmosphere.
I posted this in the vain hope that people will listen. So what if the teams gash? They're still OUR team! GET BEHIND EM!
