BARNSLEY FC has already received applications for the vacant manager's post following Andy Ritchie's sacking.

Ritchie was fired yesterday after a string of poor results and a failure to strengthen the team.

The decision has split fans. Many believe Ritchie should have been given longer to get the club out of the Championship relegation zone because his squad was playing as a team.

Others point to the club's lowly league position and Ritchie's lack of signings as proof that the board was right to give him the boot.

Ritchie was sacked yesterday and a statement from the directors said the decision, 'follows the failure to resolve differences with the manager concerning the need the strengthen the first team squad to ensure survival in the Championship.'

The decision to sack him follows a run of bad results with the Reds losing eight away games in a row and winning only twice in the last 15 league games.

They are second bottom in the Championship.

Academy manager Simon Davey has taken charge on a caretaker basis but the club has already received some applications for the vacant job. Former Reds players Eric Winstanley and Neil Redfearn have been linked with the job, as well as sacked Charlton manager Iain Dowie who is said to want to move nearer his family in Bolton.

Don't miss Friday's Chronicle for a full reaction and analysis to the news. What do you think? Email: sport@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk.