Coca-Cola Championship club Barnsley owes much of its miraculous FA Cup run to goalkeeper Luke Steele. His exceptional play in the net has led to victories over Liverpool and Chelsea and has given Barnsley a semifinal match in Wembley Stadium against Cardiff City.There's only one problem -- Steele is only on loan to Barnsley from West Bromwich Albion, who just happen to be in the FA Cup semifinals themselves. Now it seems the loan deal is up, and Barnsley and West Brom can't seem to agree on an extension.
End result? Steele has to report back to West Brom, and because he's cup-tied to Barnsley, he wouldn't be able to play for either club in the FA Cup semifinals in Wembley.
I understand wanting to put your opponent at a disadvantage, but to deny Steele the opportunity to play on England's biggest stage after his heroic performances against Premier League titans is just mean. Yes, he'll be a top-flight goalkeeper soon enough, but Steele deserves to walk out of the tunnel at Wembley more than anyone still in the FA Cup, and West Brom would rather shut him down than reward him.
Here's hoping karma comes in the form of a Jermaine Dafoe hat trick. Play up, Pompey!
