Why Michael Duff is just what Barnsley need right now
Why Michael Duff is just what Barnsley need right now
Having listened to what Michael Duff had to say in his first press conferences as new Barnsley manager this week you couldn’t help but feel impressed with what he had to say. Duff spoke with clarity on a number of subjects but especially on the playing staff something that has been missing since the days of Valerien Ismael.
Similarities with Ismael
When Big Val entered Oakwell he soon worked out which players would dig deep and fight in the trenches with him and who were the shirkers. In no time at all the likes of Luke Thomas, Elliot Simoes and Jordan Green were moved on either permanently or on loan with a flea in their ear about attitude and commitment.
Duff has already talked of his players putting “sweat on the shirt” and his Cheltenham players were renowned for being super fit again a similarity with Barnsley under Ismael. The last two managers in Schopp and Asbaghi have been too soft on the players and lacked leadership and direction with the likes of Callum Brittain complaining of the players not knowing what their roles were on a matchday.
Duff has said he will take a back seat in training over the next couple of weeks to observe the body language and commitment of his new players to see who fancies staying and fighting to get the club back into the Championship.
Hearing Duff say he will give players a clear understanding of what he expects from them and that some may not like what they hear is of the ilk of Ismael. It seems clear that Duff`s first thought is to work out his squad of players quickly and remove those who do not want to be here and galvanise those who do and want to bleed for the shirt.
Duff done his homework
It is clear the new manager has done his research prior to signing at Oakwell. Having had a couple of conversations with chairman Neerav Parekh, plenty of dialogue with CEO Khaled El-Ahmad and no doubt spoken to his mate and fellow coach Martin Devaney, Duff is coming into the job with his eyes wide open.
Duff talks about wanting to build the trust between club and fanbase which he is aware is fractured. He knows there will be some of the better players sold on to fill the financial black hole from relegation and he knows what the club is aiming for but the limitations that come with a club that sells its star players to survive.
Duff also talked about how the current board is willing to right the wrongs of the last few years and he knows there is no magic wand and things take time to rebuild.
Experience of League 1
Duff talked of experiencing dressing rooms after relegation and players wanting to jump ship. He has a task on his hands to turn an underperforming but decent squad around and convince many their football should be played at Barnsley. He is aware there are egos within the squad with players thinking they should be plying their trade in the Championship and not in League One next season. Duff will be reminding them that some will have to prove their worth and that they belong in the 2nd tier of English football first.
It was interesting to hear Duff talk of needing experience within the squad especially when the club goes on a poor run during the season. Yet he balanced that by saying you do not need five or six 35 year olds in the squad either. Last season when the side were in awful runs under both Schopp and Asbaghi the squad had few to look upon to help them through the tough times. Duff clearly sees his side having more of a mix of youth and experience of having the right balance.
Early days
Whilst there is a long road ahead both on and off the pitch at Barnsley this last week has been a positive one for Reds fans. The club managed to employ their top target and avoid losing out to clubs in the Championship.
Duff provides experience of managing in League One, a knowledge of players in these leagues and running clubs on a small budget which is the opposite of Schopp and Asbaghi with the latter admitting that it took him time to get up to speed with English football.
Thankfully our board has employed a no nonsense tough talking manager who will hopefully get a tune out of this underperforming squad.
