Barnsley have moved to extend the loan deal of West Ham striker Frank Nouble with David Button next in line to stay.
The winger cum frontman has struggled to make an impact in his five appearances at Oakwell but gave his strongest showing yet in the 1-1 draw at Blackpool on Easter Monday, and with The Reds struggling for goals- having netted just three in their last 10 games, manager Keith Hill has been suitably impressed to extend the deal.
Hill told www.barnsleynews.co.uk:
"We have managed to retain Frank Nouble on loan until the end of the season and I'm delighted with that. He has played in most of the games since arriving from West Ham.
"He's still developing as a player, but he's strong, powerful and has good technical ability. He's got all the physical attributes and he led the line well for us at Blackpool. He is a work in progress and needs to keep working hard on his game, and learn to be more self-creative, but I've been very pleased with his contribution."
Goalkeeper David Button is also expected to tie up a similar deal with the club, something that has taken added importance with the news Academy No.1 Lukas Lidakevicius has joined fellow shot-stoppers Luke Steele and David Preece in the treatment room with a thigh strain.
AS revealed yesterday Hill has moved quickly to offer new deals to out of contract trio Stephen Foster, Jim O’Brien and Andy Gray but has revealed two players who will definitely be leaving this summer. Full-back Jay McEveley- who is currently on loan at League Two leaders Swindon- and midfielder, former Academy Player of the Year Alistair Taylor have been told to find new clubs by Hill. McEveley was placed on the loan list by Hill earlier in the season but still managed to make 27 starts and four substitute appearances before joining Swindon in March. 20 year old Taylor was named the club’s Academy Player of the Year in 2009-2010 but has made just four substitute appearances since making his debut exactly two years ago with just one of those coming this year. Talking about both players Hill said:
“Jay’s at Swindon and knows the situation and it’s unlikely we’ll keep Alistair as well because there’s lot of competition for places in midfield. He’s a good young player, but might be better looking to play somewhere else.”
HILL has also moved to salute the fans after appearing to criticise them after the draw at Blackpool three days ago.
Admitting to sometimes struggling with the pressure of football management in English football’s second tier the 42 year old told the official website:
"The pressure is self-inflicted - no question about that, it's the demands I put myself under. I don't relish it - sometimes I do, I feed off it. Other times I wish it would go away. Would I change it for anything else in the world? Absolutely not.
"It's been difficult wrestling with my own ambitions for this football club.
"I spoke with Patrick Cryne during the week, he's been my biggest advocate and made me see realism and reality and he's reassured me. The conversations we've had with Patrick have been superb. He's been magnificent.
"I'm not suggesting anything there (pressure from fans). The fans have been magnificent here."