There was to be no semi-final run this season as 2009 started with an early exit from the FA Cup and four straight league defeats. It meant January was a total losing month.
Saturday 3rd January 2009
FA Cup Third Round: West Ham United 3-0 Barnsley
There was to be no Liverpool and Chelsea-eque giant-killing as The Hammers put The Reds to the sword. Diego Leon hit the bar but West Ham's greater quality was all too evident. Herita Illunga and a Mark Noble penalty put Gianfranco Zola's team 2-0 up before half time before Carlton Cole finished the job after the hour mark.
Saturday 10th January 2009
Match Twenty-Seven: Barnsley 0-1 Southampton.
Barnsley's survival hopes were dealt a real blow thanks to a sucker punch defeat by Southampton at Oakwell. The Reds dominated the game. Jamie Cureton (2), Maceo Rigters, Mounir El Haimour and Jon Macken all wasted glorious chances before inevitably David McGoldrick headed in a Lee Holmes cross to send the points back to the South Coast.
Saturday 17th January 2009
Match Twenty-Eight: Norwich City 4-0 Barnsley
Barnsley's season hit a real low point when they were thumped by manager-less and fourth from bottom Norwich City.
The Reds played reasonably well for 55 minutes before they utterly collapsed. Wes Hoolahan rounded Heinz Muller to slot in the first, before Cureton who had only returned from Oakwell that week netted the second after a mix-up between Muller and Darren Moore. The Canaries put the gloss on the score-line in the final two minutes when Sammy Clingan scored a penalty and
Darrell Russell netted in injury time.Tuesday 27th January 2009
Match Twenty-Nine: Barnsley 1-2 Ipswich Town.
Daniel Bogdanovic scored a debut goal but it was not enough to prevent another damaging defeat which was all but secured in the opening 10 minutes.
Jon Stead netted on eight and ten minutes, the second goal coming after more defensive calamites, this time between Muller and Dennis Souza.
Bogdanovic produced a classy finish two minutes into the second half but it wasn't enough.
Saturday 31st January 2009
Match Thirty: Bristol City 2-0 Barnsley
The Reds ended a torrid month with a fourth straight league defeat and dropped to two points off the relegation zone with defeat at Ashton Gate.
City keeper Adriano Basso produced a wonder save to deny Bobby Hassell but Gavin Williams and ex red Michael McIndoe netted second half strikes.
January record: P5 W0 D0 L5 F1 A12 GD-11 Pts0
Top scorer: Daniel Bogdanovic (1)