Barnsley's Howard: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Barnsley fans: brace yourself because Brian Howard`s future at Oakwell hangs in the balance.

The red`s top goal scorer, club captain, playmaker and inspirational leader has one year left on his current deal but rumours are still rife that Premier League clubs are circling like vultures ready to swoop in with a few million quid for the 25 year old.

However, club owner Patrick Cryne still seems confident that he can persuade the Winchester born midfielder to stay at Oakwell by offering him a new deal.

But tyke`s fans should understand and appreciate the fact that it is up to Brian what he wants to do, testing one`s self at the highest level should be the target for every single professional football player out there.

Whatever the red`s club captain decides to do, surely everybody connected with Barnsley Football Club will be grateful for Howard`s services over the past three years. Howard has joined Ashley Ward in Barnsley folklore having scored at the Kop end of Anfield in order to seal a win.

The other die hard fans will also remember his cheeky lob over Simon Royce against QPR which confirmed a vital three points in Barnsley`s survival scrap during the 2006/2007 season. And of course his splendid bicycle kick from the edge of the box against Cardiff - all memories that every fan will cherish.

Yet maybe, just maybe, Howard will hopefully be persuaded into signing a new deal which would definitely help pull in the crowds next season. Such a step forward would signal to the masses that Barnsley F.C is a club with ambition and drive - that should be an ambition shared by both clubs and players: to test themselves at the highest level possible.