Four games played, and the Reds have enjoyed three victories, three clean sheets and are sitting pretty at the top of the league. Gudjon Thordason, ably assisted by Ronnie Glavin & Noel Blake, has overseen a mini-revolution at a club that, given our chaotic pre-season and the fact that we are still in administration, should be scrapping it out at the foot of the table.
On Saturday, Barnsley beat a Brighton side that had enjoyed a flying start to the season. The early exchanges were relatively tame, with Barnsley playing some neat and tidy football without ever looking like breaking the deadlock. Brighton’s tactics were clear from the start, and revolved mainly around getting the ball up to the pacy Leon Knight as soon as possible.
Midway through the first half, the match lit up when a flurry of rash challenges resulted in a number of yellow cards. The best of the lot came when Austin seemed to kick Simon Roger into the third row of the East stand. A couple of chances then went begging: Lumsdon lashed the ball over the bar and then Kay screwed his shot wide from 8 yards. As in the games against Colchester and Bournemouth, Barnsley’s attacks were largely being orchestrated by Betsy and, particularly, Gorre.
The second half saw Hayward replace Austin, who looked to have picked up an injury. ‘Utility player’ Brian O’Callaghan slotted in at full back but, bizarrely, we didn't cope well with the change: we actually looked better with O’ Callaghan in midfield (I never thought I would see those words written down). Hayward looked sluggish and struggled to find Red shirts when in possession. Thankfully, his midfield partner Kay was having an absolute stormer.
Halfway through the second half, Gallimore’s inswinging free kick was met by the head of Betsy, who glanced the ball past Roberts in the Brighton goal. Within two minutes, however, Lumsdon saw red, picking up a second yellow card after a rash challenge on Hinshelwood. If Fallon, as lone striker, was lacking support before the sending off, then you had to fell sorry for him once Barnsley were down to ten men. Shortly afterwards, a clearly exhausted Fallon was substituted (for Mulligan) and Betsy was pushed up front.
Brighton almost snatched a point at the death, when Henderson rose above the Barnsley defence and headed goalwards. Ilic, however, pulled off an amazing save, diving full length to claw the ball away. Barnsley were under tremendous pressure at this point, but held on to secure a deserved victory.
And so to Blackpool on Bank Holiday Monday, where Barnsley were looking for revenge for the recent Carling Cup defeat at Oakwell. Much misery all around at the news that Lee Crooks would be replacing the injured Neil Austin but after a slow start, Barnsley gradually began to take control of proceedings. Kay in particular looked a threat: having tested Blackpool keeper Jones from long range, he then stabbed the ball wide after a strong run thorough the heart of the opposition defence.
Fallon then went close when his shot drifted past the far post, with Jones well beaten. A few minutes later, though, the New Zealand striker finally got his reward when he was able to force home the loose ball after Gorre’s 25 yard strike was only parried. It was the least Barnsley had deserved after an enterprising half hour, and Fallon too deserved a goal, if only because of his phenomenal workrate as a lone striker. The goal prompted a response (of sorts) from the lacklustre home team, but as is increasingly becoming the norm, the Reds looked solid at the back, and our lead was rarely threatened.
If Reds fans were bracing themselves for a second-half onslaught, they were relieved to see Lumsdon extend Barnsley’s advantage within six minutes of the re-start. And a cracker it was too: Lumsdon made up for his dismissal against Brighton by firing home from the edge of the area after a lay-off from Gorre. Lumsdon celebrated by screaming "I’m F*****g Back" at the Barnsley fans, and we can only hope that this is true because a fully fit and motivated Chris Lumsdon could walk into any team in this, and probably the first, division.
Blackpool never looked like getting back into the game; if anything, Barnsley should have added to their tally in the closing stages.
So, six points out of six over the Bank Holiday weekend, and our revival (if four games can be said to make a revival) continues. So what has Thordason done? Fundamentally, we look organised and are solid at the back for the first time in a few seasons. The players look motivated, a basic requirement of any football team, but one which has again been missing over the last couple of years. This season's side work hard for each other and there looks to be a newfound team spirit.
Finally, Thordason is getting the best out of players who did not get a look in under Parkin & Hodges: Hayward is finally giving us a chance to see what he can do, Gorre, after two years on the bench, is growing with confidence with every start and Lumsdon is again looking like the player that joined us on loan from Sunderland (and not the workshy muppet that turned out last season). Whether this run will continue, I don’t know, but Thordason has finally given Barnsley fans something to smile about.