Well Simon, now we are in trouble! Of the remaining six games of the season, this at a
But a series of tactical blunders by manager Simon Davey and an absolute clanger from goal-keeper Heinz Muller, saw The Reds concede their 10th goal in the final five minutes of a game this season and plunge deeper into relegation trouble. If The Reds had hung on for five more minutes in those games, they would have had an extra nine points and be sitting 12th. That's how damning it is!
Today was no different. Although
Just looking at the team showed signs of trouble. Muller has been off form for a number of weeks, certainly with his distribution, but Luke Steele cannot get a chance for love nor money. Daniel Bogdanovic, our only hope of a goal from a striker in recent weeks was recalled to the side but shoved out on the right wing, and then despite being one of our best performers in the game (with Michael Mifsud again atrocious) Davey decides to bring him off for Adam Hammill! That brings me nicely on to the on loan
- Your born
- You die
- Night follows day
- If fit Adam Hammill starts!
The lad is a cut above ANYTHING in this side, and as was proved at
On 18 minutes, Smith played Ross Jenkins in on goal but he somehow screwed his effort horribly wide, before Tamas Priskin was denied by Muller's alertness, Smith's low cross flashed across the face of goal and Priskin's curling effort clipped the outside of the post. The closest
As the second half got under way, Hammill began to warm up on touchline, to rapturous applause from the strong 900-plus away crowd and with just 11 minutes of the second half played; he strolled down to the touchline ready to enter the fray.
Unfortunately the cheers turned to tremendous boos when the fourth official's board went up to indicate it would be Daniel Bogdanovic who was coming off! It really was an incredible decision, as all of the Reds attacking work in the first half had come from Bogdanovic's trickery and runs, whereas Michael Mifsud was again totally out of touch. As "Boggy" exited the pitch, the boos turned to chants of "You don't know what your doing" and "We want Davey Out."
It must be said, contrary to what the official website report seems to be saying, the fans were not booing the introduction of Hammill, but the exit of Bogdanovic.
Hammill, inevitably had an instant impact, as his pace and trickery started to open
Hammill played a lovely right wing ball across the floor and Macken got in front of his man to slot the ball through keeper Scott Loach's legs!
Within minutes The Reds had a cast iron penalty turned down, as Hammill's cross was blatantly slapped away by Jay DeMerit. Even more incredibly from the resulting melee, Adrian Mariappa slid in to put the ball out for a corner, but the linesman flagged to give
Mifsud was finally replaced with 10 minutes remaining (and was booked for taking his time) with
Who else but Hammill popped up on the left to send a cracking cross to the back post where Odejayi was waiting. Now if the big striker had sent his powerful header to the left or right of Loach it was a certain goal. But he headed it dead centre, straight at the keeper, who pushed it away.
And with two minutes remaining,
Barnsley now have five games remaining, Swansea on Monday, who The Reds haven't beaten in 90 minutes in the last five meetings, Reading away where they have won just four times in 29 trips, Coventry away- the game in hand and a team where they have conceded four goals in each of their last three trips, plus receiving a 4-1 thumping at Oakwell on the opening day of last season. They have in fact lost seven of the last eight meetings, haven't beaten them since an Oakwell meeting in the Premier League and have only ever won twice at
I don't know about you, but I'm struggling to see another win in that lot….
Player Ratings:
Heinz Muller: I'm tired of commentating on his kicking and he produced a dreadful error at the end to throw away two vital points. 4
Rob Kozluk: Was tormented by Smith in the first half but picked up considerably after the break. 7
Stephen Foster: Another solid display from the captain. Dealt well with Priskin. 7
Darren Moore: Ably assisted Foster. Kicking was a bit better too! 7
Bobby Hassell: Nearly scored with an incredible cross-cum-shot and his tackling was spot on. 8
Andranik Teymourian: Along with Hammill, The Reds best player. In the second half he was immense and I think he won EVERY tackle. 9
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Another very quiet game. Hardly got involved. 4
Daniel Bogdanovic: Again forced to play on the wing but adapted well. Showing good control and created opportunities. It was amazing he was subbed after 56 minutes. Subbed. 7
Jon Macken: Grabbed his first goal in seven games but to be honest that's all he did. Certainly wasn't involved as much as on Tuesday. Subbed. 6
Michael Mifsud: What have we signed? He has the worst first touch ever and is so easily subdued. How he lasted 80 minutes I'll never know and then goes and gets booked for taking an age to leave the field. Booked. Subbed. 4
Adam Hammill (for Bogdanovic 56) Should have started. He was everywhere, and created numerous chances including the goal. 9
Kayode Odejayi (for Mifsud 80): Probably only in the squad for what he did at
Hugo Colace (for Macken 88) So unlucky, that as soon as he came on The Reds conceded. Somebody had to be dropped from the midfield to make it more attack-minded, unluckily it was him. N/A
Unused Substitutes:
Dennis Souza
BarnsleyBoy's Men of the Match: Andranik and Adam Hammill: Both were tremendous and deserved to be on the winning side.
Subs: Lee, Harley, Stepanov.
Most Impressed by
Ref Watch: Dean Whitestone: Not so much him, but his assistant with the chequered flag had a shocker! Got a throw-in decision wrong in the opening minutes, then missed a blatant handball and gave
Coca Cola Championship Results
Charlton 0-0
Wolves 3-0
We are 23 points off the Play-Offs, 30 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 34 points off First place and 3 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Two:
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.
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Forty Three:
Tickets:
ADULTS - £15.00
SENIOR CITIZENS (65 AND OVER) - £10.00
YOUNG ADULTS - (17 - 21) - £10.00
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £5.00*
*If purchased prior to the day of the game.
Tickets will also be on sale on the turnstiles on the day of the game, priced at:
ADULTS - £26.50
SENIOR CITIZENS (65 AND OVER) - £20.50
YOUNG ADULTS - (17 - 21) - £20.50
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £15.50
Official Reds on the Road coaches are making the trip to
