Maybe it was nice to have our bubble pricked slightly and show us we aren't exactly as good as us fickle fans seemed to be making out.
Make no mistake a 1-1 draw against a very well organised and efficient Burnley side that stretched the unbeaten run to seven games is a good result, but the display was very disjointed and a point was probably a lucky result.
The first shock of the afternoon arrived when the teams were read out.
The previous game's point saver Kim Christensen missing out with a shin injury that hadn't been reported during the week with forgotten men Rohan Ricketts and young Michael Coulson earning spots on the bench.
As expected Anderson's absence through suspension saw Martin Devaney come in on the wing with Grant McCann moving into the centre.
On 10 minutes Barnsley seemed to have a stonewall penalty turned down when Kayode Odejayi was bundled to the floor by Clarke Carlisle. It seemed referee Lee Probert was pointing to the spot but incredibly he was actually pointing for a goal-kick!
And a minute later Burnley took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances.
Wade Elliot's cross was met by Lewin Nyatanga but inexplicably he smacked the ball straight against the face of Andy Gray and the ball flew past a surprised Heinz Muller.
And if it wasn't for the 6ft 7 German goalkeeper Burnley would have stretched their advantage in a first half where The Reds simply failed to get going.
A quick free-kick produced his best save as he somehow palmed Elliot's header around the post as it looked destined for goal. You have to think if he had been a couple of inches shorter it would have been 2-0 and game over. An invaluable player!
Carlisle then sent a free header over the bar as Barnsley struggled to cope.
The closest Barnsley came in the first half were from free kicks.
Firstly a left foot curler from Grant McCann was spectacularly held by Burnley's bizarre and horrendously time-wasting keeper Gabor Kiraly.
Whilst Dominik Werling hit another one of his howitzers which was just deflected wide and left the unfortunate defender on the floor in agony!
The second half was a bit stronger as The Reds realised they had to up the tempo to ensure they didn't suffer their third defeat of the season.
Mostto came agonisingly close to the equaliser when his 51st minute curler was clawed away by Kiraly.
But he wasn't to be denied with 19 minutes left.
Nyatanga atoned for his part in Burnley's goal as he headed Brian Howard's corner against the bar and Mostto was left to head the rebound over the line!
The Peruvian celebrated like he had just scored the winner in the World Cup Final but the impact it could have on his confidence could well be priceless!
The goal lifted the tempo as The Reds then went in search of an unlikely winner and Kiraly kept out another McCann free kick.
Overall it wasn't pretty and it wasn't pleasant to watch at times with only Souza Muller and to a lesser extent Nyatanga emerging with any real credit.
Still can we really complain when were are 7th after 11 games. The world will get to see how good we really are tomorrow….
Player Ratings:
Heinz Muller: Kept Barnsley in the game in the first half with some excellent saves. A real point winner! 8
Dominik Werling: Been dubbed the new Roberto Carlos which for me is quite harsh. Carlos only perfected that free kick once Werling gets them on target EVERYTIME! 7
Dennis Souza: Even when his team-mates drop below par he certainly doesn't. Left bloodied early on but was still a colossus! Won everything in the air and on the ground. 9
Lewin Nyatanga: Looked shaky early on and his clearance produced the opening goal but improved considerably after. 7
Stephen Foster: Would you believe his worst game would come against the club who offloaded him. I don't know whether he was just trying to impress or prove a point too much but he had a real stinker! Has been outstanding beforehand so maybe can put it down to a blip. 4
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Has to bring more to the game. Simply running to the by-line in the hope of winning a corner simply isn't enough in the Championship. Cant cross to save his life!. Subbed. 5
Brian Howard: Being asked to do the "dirty" work in Anderson's absence restricted him massively. Wasn't himself at all which was a shame. The game needed him to grab it by the scruff of the neck. 5
Grant McCann: There's bad games and then there was McCann's performance yesterday. Absolute nightmare. Constantly gave away possession and did nothing but go close with free-kicks. That Grant isn't enough! Oh and by the way we play in Red. 2
Martin Devaney: After starring cameos against Southampton, Bristol City and Charlton he was handed a start yesterday. Maybe better off coming off the bench. 5
Miguel Mostto: Showed some nice touches and control and crucially grabbed his fist goal in English football. Hopefully the first of many! 7
Kayode Odejayi: Not at the races really. Marshalled well by the Burnley defence although he did cause some trouble in the air. 6
Substitutes:
Rohan Ricketts (for Campbell-Ryce 84) After 84 minutes of watching Campbell-Ryce bang "crosses" against the first man, what did Ricketts do with his first attempt? Yep you guessed it. Straight against the first man. 5
Unused Substitutes:
Nick Colgan, Rob Kozluk, Sam Togwell, Michael Coulson
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Heinz Muller
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Muller's contribution was vital but once again Souza stood head and shoulders above everybody on the pitch!!
Impressed by Burnley's: Overall they have a well organised team and could really make a play-off push this season. Gabor Kiraly and Ade Akinbiyi are poor sportsmen with their time wasting and moaning however!
Ref Watch: Lee Probert: Only booked one player but missed a handful of clear penalties whilst failing to play advantages and didn't seem to know the rules!! 4
Other Reports:
Official Website Report
FootyMad Report
BBC Report
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Saturday 20th October 2007
BARNSLEY 1-1 Burnley
Blackpool 1-1 Crystal Palace
Colchester 3-2 West Brom
Norwich 1-3 Bristol City
Plymouth 1-0 Coventry
QPR 1-1 Ipswich
Scunthorpe 0-0 Leicester
Sheffield United 1-1 Preston
Stoke 2-4 Sheffield Wednesday
Watford 1-0 Hull
Wolves 2-0 Charlton
Sunday 21st October 2007
Southampton 1-0 Cardiff
Barnsley lie in 7th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 17 points from 11 games. We are outside the Play-Offs on Goal Difference, 3 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 9 points off First Place and 8 points above the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twelve: Hull City v Barnsley Monday 22nd October 2007 Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Tickets:
Adults: £23
Senior Citizens (Over 60) £12
Students (With Valid NUS): £12
Juveniles (U16) £12
Official Coaches will be travelling to the KC Stadium.
Price: £10
Departure Time: 5:15pm on the day of the game.
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirteen: Leicester City v Barnsley Saturday 27th October 2007 Kick-Off: 3pm
Tickets:
Adults: £23
Senior Citizens (Over 60) £21
Students (With Valid NUS) and Under 22s: £15
Juveniles (U16) £10
Juveniles (U12) £5
Juveniles (U8) £3
Official Coaches will be travelling to the Walkers Stadium
Price: £12
Departure Time: 12noon on the day of the game.
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Fourteen: Barnsley v Preston North End Saturday 3rd November 2007 Kick-Off: 3pm
Tickets for the big game are priced at:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Enterprise PLC Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
All Disabled Areas £20.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office on 0871 2266777. Alternatively call at the Box Office in person; contact the Box Office by fax on 01226 211444 or e-mail boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk. Please note that Juvenile U11 tickets must be purchased in advance from the Oakwell Box Office and this price will not be on sale on the turnstiles under any circumstances.