: Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:22 pm  

LoyalFan08 wrote:

its very disappointing to here people speak about Barry like that he is the best thing that has happened to the club for long time and am sure if he plays there will be a reason behind it, and no doubt even if he got man of match scored hat rick and we lost everyone would still moan. Get behind the team instead of moaning if you wanna moan go watch scumford

well said.!!!!

: Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:32 pm  

View from the full back wrote:

I don't believe that Barry has any intention of turning out and I will be highly disappointed if he is the best that we have to choose from. I hope that it's just a bit of misguided gamesmanship.

Although Keighley have nothing to lose as far as League position is concerned, knowing that he might be playing has done nothing for my confidence that Cougars might make up for the embarrassing performance at Dewsbury. I would rather hear that he is choosing from a fully fit squad who are raring to go to avenge their defeat and spoil Dewsbury's night.

I'm 50/50 as to whether to go or not, if he is definitely playing then I am definitely not going.

(Cue abuse - My first negative post for a long while)

Dont like Barry do you

: Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:42 pm  

You have to wonder who Barry is trying to send a message to with this story.

: Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:43 pm  

Baz to be fair, has been on top form for the reserves in the past weeks....Steve Menzies in Super League , Paul March in Championship (t****er) & others , there is no reason why Baz should not turn out on Thursday ...

His speed of thought , if not physical movement , is still far above anything we have in our current team . This is not meant as a condemnation of any of our lads, more as a celebration of Baz's ability . If that game knowledge will for one game, while his fitness still allows, give us the edge then so be it .....

Using available resources to gain a valuable victory?, we should be congratulating our coach for that not slating him .

: Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:25 pm  

There a few promising young players in the reserves to be honest, people should go and watch. Its very entertaining rugby

: Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:55 pm  

I agree Rach, it's been very interesting watching Barry in the reserves, he constantly coaches them, spotting our weaknesses and those of our opponents on the hoof. He is very vocal, leaves no doubt about what he wants and gets stuck in.

His mind is still sharp but IMO his agility is suspect for first team action in good playing conditions.

I would imagine that he may be considering what might happen if it pee's it down. I could see Dewsbury forwards repeatedly targeting a certain member of our squad trying to trample him into the mud!

I feel that people who say they wont turn up if Barry is playing, and then publicly say that on this forum are doing him a great disservice. But then that is their choice. I think Barry will only pick himself, if in the prevailing conditions, he believes it is in the best interests of the team.

Dewsbury have been consistently good this year and if we are to have any chance we will have to match them across the park not in just one position.

This could be a very interesting game and a severe test of how we respond to pressure. Just hope we put on a good show for the telly.

: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:01 pm  

I think if Baz plays tomorrow night is a good thing. Experianced head on the pitch to make sure the lads dont freeze infront of the cameras. Not only that he might have 1 or 2 tricks up his sleeve. Wont say what I think they will be, but anyone watched the reserves the last 2 weeks will know what I mean.

: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:04 pm  

goosey wrote:

There a few promising young players in the reserves to be honest, people should go and watch. Its very entertaining rugby

Agreed. Not only that, they too are well up in the table & are in with a shout of the playoffs.

: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:29 am  

I watch the reserves and have seen Barry play. He's does ok at that level but playing against an unbeaten Dewsbury side who stuffed us at their ground and who are ready to celebrate winning the League title on Sky television, is a different prospect.

The team performance away was embarrassing and the balls are in the air as to which Cougar team is going to turn up tonight. We all know that they can be Jekyll or Hyde. My point is that Barry is not an established first team member and certainly not an ex Aussie international and as such to suggest that he could turn out tonight does nothing for my confidence. He is the Coach of the team, not a first team regular and I ask why he feels it necessary to consider that he is the best (presumably) scrum half available.

I won't be "not going" because he is playing, I will be "not going" because he has made it sound like there are problems in the camp and the solution is for the Coach to get his boots on. Anyone remember those not too far off days when the bus driver turned out to make the numbers up?

I watch rugby all over the country at all levels (including Scumford) and I don't blindly follow Cougars just because I do. I'll be shouting them on from my sofa and when the mood takes me I will turn the telly off and go to the pub to spend the twenty odd quid that I have saved by not going to the game.

It's certainly nothing personal to Barry and I hope that I am wrong. If he plays and has an outstanding game I will be straight on here to congratulate him.

Rach - I haven't "slated him"
Girly - read my post, I won’t be staying away because Barry is playing, I will be staying away because of what I said above, a subtle difference.
Loyalfan - I haven't "moaned" anywhere in my post
Obeone - Personality has nothing to do with it

Others - Should I apologise for having an opinion?

: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:12 am  

View from the full back wrote:

Others - Should I apologise for having an opinion?

No need to apologise at all.
You are entitled to your opinion, like everyone else.

Some of the things you say i agree with.