It was bad result and one bad performance too many as the axe finally fell on Simon Davey just after
For 90 minutes, Davey looked liked a man waiting to be executed. 3-1 down and he still didn't make a substitute until after the 60th minute (honestly has there been a new rule come in that I haven't heard about) and for the last 30 or so minutes he stood motionless before heading to a mass chorus of "We want Davey Out"- something I'm led to believe continued outside the West Stand after the game.
To be honest The Reds started off against a
Gray almost added another on 23 minutes as he charged down goal-keeper Adam Federici's clearance but the ball went inches wide.
Luke Steele punched a corner away to the penalty spot where Colace was stood unmarked, but instead of turning and clearing he decided, amazingly, to nonchalantly pass the ball across the area without looking. Jimmy Kebe took advantage, cut past Gray and delivered a strike which Steele could only beat out. Darren Moore stabbed at the ball, leaving Alex Pearce to blast home. A shocking goal to concede all round!
It certainly galvanised the Royals and they went on to dominate the game. They should have gone ahead on 38 minutes. Gylfi Sigurdsson delivered a pass around the once again appalling Rob Kozluk, and Jem Karacan raced onto it, went one on one with Steele but somehow put his effort past the far post.
Steele didn't have such look in the 53rd minute when he had a real rush of blood to hand
A long ball from midfield saw Kebe, outpace
Noel Hunt stepped up to dispatch a very confident spot-kick. The biggest grievance was the actions of Kebe. After going down, he lay prone for several minutes but was then running freely seconds later… just in time to whip in a right wing cross for
Hunt's actions in celebrating his goals were also reprehensible as, for some strange reason, he decided to gloat the Ponty End after each one.. Maybe the fact his brother had just got a Premier League move and he hadn't had left a bitter taste.
It was then left to Steele to keep the score down, making fine saves to deny Sigurdsson and Michail Antonio who raced onto a woeful back pass from
The final whistle was, as usual, occupied with boos and the Davey Out chants at the end were deafening. This time Cryne listened.
P.S- A special mention to Thomas Bird- the Reds mascot yesterday! Hope you had a great day yesterday, despite the result! Thomas is currently playing for
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: Made a rash decision to bring down Kebe for the penalty but if it wasn't for him
Mounir El Haimour: Much derided, and wasn't brilliant. Easily though The Reds best defender. Made some great tackles. 6
Stephen Foster: Failed to inspire his side in a difficult afternoon for the defence. 5
Darren Moore: Pathetic attempt to clear before the first goal, outpaced by Kebe in the lead up to the penalty and nearly let Antonio in at the end with a terrible back pass. Awful afternoon. 3
Rob Kozluk: I wish he would just join Neil Warnock. Doesn't look bothered, beaten every time by his man and makes rash tackles. 2
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Another one who can follow Davey out of the door. Yes, bizarrely still being played in the centre of midfield but the play now seems to break down when the ball comes to in. Just puts his head down and tries to beat every man when a simple pass is required. Has no impact on games. 2
Hugo Colace: Usually never puts a foot wrong, but couldn't put one right yesterday. A dreadful pass to set up
Emil Halfredsson: Somebody who can be proud of his performance. Made some surging runs and looks very good on the ball. Decent left foot too which we have missed in the middle of the park since Howard left. 8
Daniel Bogdanovic: Our best chance of a goal being played on the wing… lunacy! Hopefully Davey's departure puts an end to that! Couldn't get in the game much due to being stuck out wide, when we had TWO wingers on the bench. Subbed. 5
Andy Gray: Promising home debut! Scored with a fine header from a set-piece- something we rarely do and looked a menace in the first half. Petered out after the break. 7
Jon Macken: Spent most of the game arguing about decisions instead of actually getting involved. Another striker wasted out on the wing! Subbed. 5
Substitutes:
Iain Hume (for Bogdanovic 66) The game was long lost by the time Davey decided to bring Hume on. Buzzed about but was starved of service. 6
Adam Hammill (for Macken 75) Another who has disappointed greatly so far this season. 4
Kayode Odejayi (for Colace 81) The guy's not good enough, we all know that and I have criticised him and the decision to play him countless times, but there is NO excuse for fans booing a player coming onto the pitch. To hear my fellow supporters booing when Odejayi came on and then all mock cheering when he won a header was disgusting. We all have a grievances with Davey and I imagine this booing was because of Davey and the fact we were 3-1 down but it was still unacceptable. And yeah he didn't do anything when he came on. 5
Unused Substitutes:
David Preece,
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Emil Halfredsson.
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Emil Halfredsson: Agree with the sponsors this week. The one bright spot in the game.
Subs: Cisse, Tabb, Kelly, Hamer.
Most Impressed by
Ref Watch: Michael Oliver: Not a bad game, got the major decisions correct. 8
Coca Cola Championship Results
We are 8 points off the Play-Offs, 9 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 10 points off First place and inside the Relegation Zone by 1 point.
Up to
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Six:
Tickets:
ADULTS - £22.50
SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 65) - £12.50
STUDENTS (UNDER 25s WITH VALID NUS) - £12.50
YOUNG ADULT - (16-19) - £12.50
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £9.50
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Seven:
Tickets:
Adults £24.00
Senior Citizens (60 and Over) - £14.00
Juveniles (16 and Under) - £9.00
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Eight:
Tickets:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Adults £21.00
OAP £12.00
Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U11) £5.00
CK Beckett Stand (
Adults £19.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U11) £5.00
All Disabled Areas £19.00
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.
