Once again, we see opposition fans commenting on our style of play, as if they have the moral high ground, and as if that should determine the points at the end of a game. A thread: #barnsleyfc #readingfc

1) Style. Doesn’t. Matter.

You play to win, in the manner that best utilises your assets. Barnsley have a game plan, stick to it, and win games because of it. You don’t get points for possession. Play to win, however that is.

2) Badly executed possession football is not fun to watch. This is the championship. Players at this level are generally not capable of passing cleanly through a team, resulting in sideways passing in a team’s own third. That is not entertainment.

3) Opposition teams often have a greater % of passes that are categorised as “long” when they play vs us. This not only proves point 1) valid - you play to win however it comes - but also takes away the claim that opposition teams play “better” football, at least when playing us.

4) The main reason for complaints - we are now competing at this level. We have often seen Reds teams play “good” football at this level but struggle to accumulate points, which received pleasant admiration from opposition fans “for trying”. Now we compete, the goodwill has gone.

5) This is not hit and hope. With a young squad plagued by individual errors last season often as a result of poor possession football, it has imperative that action was taken. It is a fact that the further the ball is away from your goal, the less goals you concede. Continued...

5) cont. The closer it is to an opponent’s goal, the more likely you are to score. This simple tactic has eliminated the biggest weakness in our team - good management. Continued...

5) cont. We are then spoken of as playing “good” football in the final third, where young players can express themselves without a turnover resulting in a direct goal scoring opportunity for an opponent. A high press keeps the ball at the right end. This is an effective game plan

End of thread. Something to consider for opposition fans thinking of throwing a cheap insult at our club. We’ve heard it all before!