Barnsley's last four results before today: MK Dons 0-0 Barnsley, Burnley 3-0 Barnsley, Barnsley 0-2 Doncaster, Bristol City 3-0 Barnsley. Result today: Barnsley 4-0 Oldham.
You talk about predictability in the Premiership. In League One there is no such thing!
Barnsley came into this game on the back of a 3 game losing streak and without a goal in 4 outings. Oldham meanwhile were unbeaten in 3 and sitting pretty in 6th place. The outcome? The Reds surge into a 3-0 lead within the first FOURTEEN MINUTES and cruise to thier biggest win of the season.
For once everything went right for Barnsley as Brian Howard produced a superb home debut whilst the starting Daniel Nardiello, Paul Hayes, Chris Shuker and Paul Reid were outstanding.
Barnsley surged ahead in the 8th minute but as the first 7 had been fairly poor nobody could have imagined what the score would be after a quarter of an hour.
It was Daniel Nardiello ( finally reappointed to the starting line-up) that got the ball rolling.
Paul Hayes did superb to turn his man on the byeline before squaring to Jacob Burns, who's clever lob fell straight on the head of Nardiello and he made no mistake.
Good start?? It got better!
12 minutes on the clock 2-0.
Chris Shuker found space on the edge of the area and with the Oakwell faithful ( who were once again in great voice) shouting to shoot, he laid it off to the onrushing Martin Devaney who finished with aplomb.
Impressed???
14 minutes 3-0 Barnsley fans in wonderland.
Shuker collected a pass from Hayes before again giving poor Chris Day no chance.
The question now was how many and Barnsley had chances to increase the lead. Paul Hayes somehow saw his header rebound off the underside of the crossbar and come out just before half time.
Nobody was counting their chickens just yet as Barnsley had a habit of throwing away commanding leads last season and as the teams ran out for the second half the majority of the 8,077 crowd were expecting an Oldham backlash. It never arrived with Barnsley again in the ascendancy.
They only managed to add one goal though when Nardiello flicked on a Robbie Williams ball to the totally unmarked Shuker and he wasn't going to miss.
Oldham continued to get frustrated and efforts went awry and the offside flag continued to foil them. Barnsley on the other hand could have had more but for Nardiello's insistence to go alone rather than find a team mate.
This result is most certainly up there with the Nottingham Forest performance but I can not stress how important consistency is. The Reds MUST MUST MUST follow this up with victory at local rivals Rotherham next weekend if they are to be taken seriously as genuine play-off contenders. Too many Bristol City displays will see The Reds fall off the pace. The League is as poor as it's ever been since Barnsley's relegation in 2002 and anybody can beat anybody. It all comes down to who wants it most.
The challenge is there. Question is can Andy Ritchie's Reds accept it?
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Again caused panic with his insistence on staying on his line and flapped at one corner which the Reds were lucky to see hit the post. Was rarely troubled though. 6
Robbie Williams: Why this kid has been dropped recently I'll never know. Was tremendous again today and really has pride in the shirt. 8
Matt Carbon: Solid in the first half although the fact he was substituted at the break is again a worry for the injury prone defender. Subbed 6
Paul Reid: Broken nose but you couldn't tell. Most men wouldn't have played with that injury. Captain Fantastic was immense!. 8
Bobby Hassell: Great to see him back. Was outstanding at right back first half and carried it on at centre half second half. 8
Martin Devaney: Again feel his talent is wasted on the left although he did score with his left foot. his pace really frightened the Oldham rearguard but could do with cutting out the tricks. Yep I'm being really picky. Booked 7
Jacob Burns: Player of the Season so far. He just doesn't seem to have a bad game ( probably jinxed him now). 8
Brian Howard: Wasn't convinced when we signed him but he's winning me round after a home debut to remember. It's evident he has bags of talent and was always involved. Booked. Subbed 8
Chris Shuker: Re-enforced his position as current top scorer with two very well taken goals. Always lively. Starting to get back to last season's form now. 8
Paul Hayes: Again did so much work without the reward of a goal. Desperately unlucky with effort that hit the crossbar. He is such an unselfish player and the team is poor without him. Subbed 8
Daniel Nardiello: Back in the starting line-up back among the goals and seems to have an almost telepathic relationship with Hayes. This is easily the best partnership at the club. Booked 8
Subs:
Dale Tonge ( for Carbon 45) Poor in midweek but really got stuck in today. Slotted into the back four seamlessly. 7
Nicky Wroe ( for Howard 65) Showed some good touches but didn't really get involved. 6
Marc Richards ( for Hayes 73) Very promising performance. Almost got in late on and really put himself about. 6
Man of the Match: Could have been a host of players but Nardiello just edges it for me.
Coca Cola League One Results: Saturday 1st October 2005
Barnsley 4-0 Oldham
Brentford 2-1 Rotherham
Bristol City 0-1 Hartlepool
Colchester 1-2 Chesterfield
Doncaster 2-2 Bradford
Gillingham 1-2 Southend
Huddersfield 2-2 Bournemouth
Milton Keynes Dons 3-1 Swindon
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tranmere
Port Vale 3-2 Walsall
Scunthorpe 3-4 Yeovil
Swansea 3-2 Blackpool
Barnsley lie 8th in League One with 17 points from 12 games. We are 1 point off the Play-Offs, 9 points off the automatic promotion places and 4 points clear of the relegation zone.
Next Up:
On The Road: Millmoor Rotherham United v Barnsley Saturday 8th October 2005 12:30pm
At Oakwell: Barnsley v Blackpool Saturday 15th October 2005 3pm
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