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The first third of the season, Barnsley were sitting inside the top 8 on more than one occasion. With big wins and draws against some of the games greatest sides. Things were looking quite spectacular at little old Barnsley. And then came the worst run of form in the manager's managerial career. We think we counted, 6 straight defeats, and no win in 11 games. It has since picked up again a little, despite more setbacks against the sides below Barnsley, they managed to do the double over Chelsea, get a credible draw against United, and narrowly missed out on something against Liverpool. They also failed to make it out of quite frankly, the group of pain, in Europe.
It has been a rollercoaster return to FFO management for Harris, but he is relishing the opportunity to build on Barnsley again. The aim unfortunately now is to stay up. Although a top half finish isn't completely out of the question, it will require a decent run of points and wins and luck from results around for this to happen.
Highlights of the season so far:
All minutes made, bar 35 minutes for backup striker Ben Waine, and 46 minutes for defender Araujo - both expected to meet their minute demands later today.
Mitoma has hit 15 goals and grabbed the captain armband. What a signing for the club.
Profit and cash for Inaki Williams, who's brief stay was surrounded in controversy as, with Dia and Mitoma, Harris couldn't find a way to fit all three into the side.
James Maddison continues to have another solid season.
Club auction bargain, Doucoure continues his fine season now rated 17 tackling and 20 passing.
Lowlights:
That astonishing run of form which has turned a possible top 10 battle into a relegation dogfight, particularly with new managers down the bottom half of the table.
Maximiano has conceded far more than we expected with his ability.
Still an ageing defence, and key midfielders Mollet and Anderson are quite obviously not getting any younger.
Fan thoughts:
What do the polls say?
How are you finding the season so far? (options followed by percentage of voters)
a) Exceeding expectations - 6%
b) About where you thought - 49 %
c) Slightly below expectations - 29%
d) Not happy at all - 16%
(5,019 respondents)
Who has been your player of the season so far?
a) Mitoma - 70%
b) Ismaily - 8%
c) Maddison - 17%
d) Other - 5%
(4,621 respondents)
Will the club stay up?
a) Yes - 69%
b) No - 31%
(7,209 respondents)
Where should the club invest their new balance of money?
a) Youth setup - 28%
b) Stadium - 9%
c) Defence - 50%
d) Midfield -13%
(4,999 respondents)
Who do you think will win the Premier League?
a) Manchester city - 44%
b) Manchester United - 25%
c) Leeds United - 11%
d) Liverpool - 10%
e) Chelsea - 10%
(3,722 respondents)
Who will win the EFL?
a) PSG - 9%
b) Real Madrid - 60%
c) Juventus - 30%
d) AC Milan - 1%
(3,011 respondents)
Will Tony Ayre get Blackburn into the top 8 come the end of the season?
a) yes 58%
b) no 42%
(116 respondents)
Will Harris stay at Barnsley next season no matter the outcome of this season?
a) Yes. He won't leave - 48%
b) No. He will retire from management - 26%
c) No. He will look to manage elsewhere - 26%
(8,206 respondents)
Has Talbot been a good addition to the premier league?
a) Yes - 100%
b) No - 0%
(45,099 respondents)
It has been a rollercoaster return to FFO management for Harris, but he is relishing the opportunity to build on Barnsley again. The aim unfortunately now is to stay up. Although a top half finish isn't completely out of the question, it will require a decent run of points and wins and luck from results around for this to happen.
Highlights of the season so far:
All minutes made, bar 35 minutes for backup striker Ben Waine, and 46 minutes for defender Araujo - both expected to meet their minute demands later today.
Mitoma has hit 15 goals and grabbed the captain armband. What a signing for the club.
Profit and cash for Inaki Williams, who's brief stay was surrounded in controversy as, with Dia and Mitoma, Harris couldn't find a way to fit all three into the side.
James Maddison continues to have another solid season.
Club auction bargain, Doucoure continues his fine season now rated 17 tackling and 20 passing.
Lowlights:
That astonishing run of form which has turned a possible top 10 battle into a relegation dogfight, particularly with new managers down the bottom half of the table.
Maximiano has conceded far more than we expected with his ability.
Still an ageing defence, and key midfielders Mollet and Anderson are quite obviously not getting any younger.
Fan thoughts:
What do the polls say?
How are you finding the season so far? (options followed by percentage of voters)
a) Exceeding expectations - 6%
b) About where you thought - 49 %
c) Slightly below expectations - 29%
d) Not happy at all - 16%
(5,019 respondents)
Who has been your player of the season so far?
a) Mitoma - 70%
b) Ismaily - 8%
c) Maddison - 17%
d) Other - 5%
(4,621 respondents)
Will the club stay up?
a) Yes - 69%
b) No - 31%
(7,209 respondents)
Where should the club invest their new balance of money?
a) Youth setup - 28%
b) Stadium - 9%
c) Defence - 50%
d) Midfield -13%
(4,999 respondents)
Who do you think will win the Premier League?
a) Manchester city - 44%
b) Manchester United - 25%
c) Leeds United - 11%
d) Liverpool - 10%
e) Chelsea - 10%
(3,722 respondents)
Who will win the EFL?
a) PSG - 9%
b) Real Madrid - 60%
c) Juventus - 30%
d) AC Milan - 1%
(3,011 respondents)
Will Tony Ayre get Blackburn into the top 8 come the end of the season?
a) yes 58%
b) no 42%
(116 respondents)
Will Harris stay at Barnsley next season no matter the outcome of this season?
a) Yes. He won't leave - 48%
b) No. He will retire from management - 26%
c) No. He will look to manage elsewhere - 26%
(8,206 respondents)
Has Talbot been a good addition to the premier league?
a) Yes - 100%
b) No - 0%
(45,099 respondents)