Back to square one...

In light of recent performances, Barnsley’s biggest crowd of the season could be forgiven for looking at this fixture with a reasonable degree of optimism. In the build up to the game, Glyn Hodges had talked about gaining revenge for our defeat at the McAlpine Stadium earlier in September, and confidence was sky high after a five match unbeaten run. That run ended at a quarter to five yesterday, when the Terriers left Oakwell will a deserved three points after a lacklustre Barnsley display.

Huddersfield looked the stronger team from the off, and should have been ahead within three minutes. Both Morgan and Crooks were guilty of challenging for the same ball when Andy Booth flicked on a long clearance. Martin Smith, who had run into the gap vacated by Morgan, picked up the loose ball and had a clear run at goal, but was foiled by a smart stop from Marriott. The incident set a precedent as Booth proved to be a constant threat in the air.

Indeed, Booth looked to have given Huddersfield the lead in the eighteenth minute when he headed home Kenny Irons’ free-kick, but was harshly penalised for pushing. The Terriers continued to press, and the Reds had another escape when Nathan Clarke narrowly headed over from another set-piece.

Barnsley just couldn’t get into the game at this stage and it was no surprise when the visitors, through that man Booth, finally took the lead. Crooks failed to close down Smith on the right-hand side, giving the latter the time and space to turn and deliver an excellent cross. Once again, Booth out-jumped Morgan and his thumping header flew past Marriott from twelve yards.

The Reds have proved adept at coming back from one-nil down in recent weeks, and they responded well. Our midfield finally started to get to grips with their Huddersfield counterparts, and forced a couple of corners in quick succession. Barnsley would have equalised from the second corner but for an astonishing save from Phil Senior. Alex Neil’s header was goal bound, but Senior’s full length dive enabled him to tip the ball onto the post. The ball ran agonisingly along the face of the goal, and the Huddersfield defence managed to hack it away from the incoming Bruce Dyer.

Barnsley started the second half positively, and enjoyed a lot of early possession, but lacked the know-how to breakdown an organised and committed Huddersfield team. The visitors remained a constant threat and, in one ten minute period, Matt Brown forced a save from Marriott at point blank range, the unmarked Smith volleyed over from ten yards and Baldry’s strike was tipped around the post by the Barnsley keeper.

The Reds midfield were put under constant pressure by their hardworking opponents and resorted to pumping long balls forward, which were easily dealt with by the Huddersfield defence. The most frustrating performance came from Dean Gorre. Like many others, I’ve been crying out for Gorre to be given a chance for weeks, but yesterday’s fitful contribution added weight to the argument that he is a luxury player. He is undoubtedly the best technical player we have at the club, but he was a passenger for most of the game and it seems highly likely that Gary Jones, suspended on Saturday, will come straight back into the team.

Gorre waited until the dying minutes to make an impact, with a defence splitting pass which gave Austin time and space to put in a cross. After a panicked clearance, the ball ended up back at the feet of the Dutchman, whose shot was deflected goal wards via the head of Alex Neil. Senior pulled off another excellent stop, and from the rebound Isaiah Rankin’s diving header struck the foot of the post before rolling along the goal line. Huddersfield cleared and Barnsley failed to create another chance of note before the referee blew the final whistle.

In his post-match comments, Glyn Hodges described the second half as being ‘one-way traffic’, but aside from that Rankin chance, Barnsley never looked capable of breaking down a Huddersfield team who battled for every ball. The service to Bruce Dyer and Mike Sheron, (making his first start at Oakwell for some time) was particularly poor.

The most alarming aspect of the game was the manner in which the back three of Morgan, Crooks and Austin failed to cope with Booth’s aerial threat and Smith’s movement. The defensive unit has been the foundation of our recent improvement in results, but we looked vulnerable throughout the game, particularly from set-pieces. The result, and the performance, proves that Barnsley still have some work to do if they are to stay in this division.