Windy at the 'Well...

First things first: this game was played in strong winds. Very strong. So much so that for the majority of the 90 minutes it looked like the match was being played with a “ten bob floater” rather than a real match ball. Obviously, you would have thought that the players, after the first few minutes at least, would have recognised this and amended their tactics accordingly: playing short-corners, for example, or trying to keep the ball on the floor at all times. However, footballers aren’t the brightest bunch of people and that didn’t happen. As result the game often resembled a blow football contest.

For the Reds, David Murphy made his home debut. Having not seen him play in the games at Swillsborough and against Oldham in mid-week, I was surprised at his rotund appearance. This man is a Premiership footballer, yet it looked like he’d stuffed a pillow up his shirt. Mind you, he might have well have done in light of the freezing winds that were swirling around the ground. Did I mention it was windy?

Also making his debut was Chris Shuker, our news signing from Manchester City. The last time Shuker featured at Oakwell, he was playing for Hartlepool and was involved in the elbowing incident that saw Barnsley’s Chris Lumsdon sent off in controversial circumstances. Given that Lumsdon was only a sub yesterday – having been replaced by Shuker - you can imagine that they’ve become pretty good pals. Mind you, Lumsdon might have felt relieved to be sitting on the bench in a nice warm coat. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but it was really windy yesterday.

Right then, the game. Nardiello had an outstanding first half, and was Barnsley’s main threat during a period in which we really should have scored. Shuker also impressed the Oakwell crowd with his pace, tenacity and sheer hard work. On the strength of his performance yesterday, he could be the next Martin Bullock (that’s a compliment by the way). He’s certainly small enough: it was like watching Bilbo Baggins in a Barnsley shirt. Vale really weren’t it during the first period but, frustratingly, Barnsley failed to create any clear cut chances.

The second half was a tighter affair but in the 67th minute, it looked as if Barnsley would finally take the lead. Vale keeper Jonathan Brain was smart enough (do you see what I did there) to keep out Hayward’s drive from the edge of the area but, after a brief scuffle for possession, the loose ball landed at the feet of Kevin Betsy. One yard out. Betsy took his run of poor form to new heights by managing to scuff the ball across the open goal and wide. On one level, you have to give him credit: it was one of those rare chances in football, one where it really was harder to miss than to score.

Barnsley never came as close in the remaining minutes and Vale almost snatched victory when Mark Bridge-Wilkinson struck a superb shot from 20 yards that Beresford did well to tip over the bar. In the dying moments of the game, Barnsley were fortunate that the referee judged it "ball to hand" when the ball struck Ireland in the penalty area.

Defeat would have been harsh though: all in all, this was an okay performance against a team that could well be in the play-offs at the end of the season. Both Nardiello and Shuker were excellent and Ireland and Kay were solid at the back (Kay should play there every week in my opinion).

Barnsley’s hopes of joining Vale in the top six look to have gone after a tenth consecutive game without a win. Disturbingly, the Reds have failed to score in their last four home matches and, Betsy’s “miss of the season” contender aside, the midfield are just not creating sufficient chances. Paul Hart likes to have a diamond formation in the middle of the park, but Barnsley’s is a pale imitation at the moment, more like a "diamante" or a "diamonique" (if you've ever watched a home shopping channel, you'll know what I mean).

My suggestion? Drop Jacob Burns and get Lumsdon back in the side. I know that Burns has a lot of supporters amongst the Oakwell faithful, but all I see is a lightweight midfielder who runs around a lot while the game goes on around him. At his best, Lumsdon can stamp his authority on the game and make things happen which, after 360 minutes without a goal in front of their own fans, Barnsley definitely need.