November 2006
Although November provided 3 vital wins including a superb victory over Leeds United, they would come under 2 different managers.
The month started with The Reds making it 9 without victory after going down 2-1 at promotion chasing Derby County.
Despite taking an early lead from the most unlikely of sources- Bobby Hassell, two stunners from highly rated Giles Barnes piled on the misery…. UNTIL!!
The big relegation six-pointer with fallen giants Leeds on the 4th November.
Martin Devaney fired Barnsley in front with a great finish (30) before old fragilities resumed to allow Leeds to criminally take a half-time lead. Goals from Shaun Derry (44) and Robbie Blake (45) left many a glum face around Oakwell.
The second half was a different story however. A long range drive from Michael McIndoe on 62 and then a wonderful curling effort from Brian Howard on 76 lifted the roof as fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrate a first win in 10 games.
The win was diluted over the next few weeks as 2 defeats and the sacking of Andy Ritchie saw the gloom clouds circle Oakwell once again.
Firstly was the unenviable trip to St Andrews Stadium to take on Midlands giants Birmingham where £4m Gary McSheffrey (35 )and Neil Danns (90) notched to send The Reds north pointless again.
Next up was a trip to the capital to face a Crystal Palace side who were winless in 7. No matter it was the same result as the previous weekend. First half goals from James Scowcroft (16) and Clinton Morrison (32) made it 10 defeats out of the last 12 games.
It left Barnsley second bottom and proved to be Andy Ritchie's final game in charge.
During the following week, Ritchie was sacked after the board claimed theirs and Ritchie's view of team strengthening differed, Academy manager Simon Davey was appointed caretaker manager, and Grant McCann, Ronnie Wallwork, Kyel Reid and Leon Knight were all brought in on loan!
Barnsley fans didn't know what to expect when Ipswich Town visited Oakwell.
Wallwork, McCann and Knight all started with Reid to come on as a substitute, but a point looked like being likely until McCann popped up with the last kick of the game to send Oakwell into raptures and give Davey a winning start.
It got better 3 days later when relegation rivals Southend came to Oakwell.
Brian Howard settled nerves with the opening goal on 34 minutes and Kyel Reid grabbed his first goal for the club on 88 with a bizarre free kick that curled around everybody, before getting sent off in stoppage time for a second book able offence.
So the most turbulent month ended after 2 wins against relegation rivals, the sacking of the clubs most successful manager in 10 years and…. The biggest monthly points haul of the season so far!!
November Record: W:3 D:0 L: 3
Record 28/11/06
W:6 D:3 L:11 F:25 A:36 GD: -11 Points: 21 Pos: 21st
Barnsley 3-2 Leeds United Report
Barnsley 1-0 Ipswich Town Report
Barnsley 2-0 Southend United Report