The game centered on two major decisions that Haines got badly wrong. Firstly on the hour mark, Anderson De Silva whipped in a cross which struck Lee Johnson square on the arm, at least five yards inside the penalty area. Amazingly the referee awarded just a free-kick on the edge of the box. Then 15 minutes later Danny Haynes raced into the area, behind Ryan Shotton but stumbled and fell. Haines incredibly pointed to the spot and sent off Shotton. Jamie McAllister missed the penalty but Marvin Elliott followed up to make it 3-1.
Barnsley had only themselves to blame for being 2-0 down at half-time after an error strewn first half which, like at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday they were punished for not taking chances and switching off at key moments. The Reds started very brightly and Emil Hallfredsson and Hugo Colace looked to have put their recent poor displays behind them by taking control in midfield. In the first 12 minutes The Reds had two great chances. Firstly Stephen Foster forced a fine save after Shotton's free kick and then Hallfredsson hit a superb effort from
But then The Reds seem to just stop doing the good things which had pressed back City and Colace and Hallfredsson completely went to pieces. I've mentioned before how far Colace has fallen since last season but today he looked like a complete stranger on the pitch. I personally have never seen a defensive midfielder who appears reluctant to tackle or challenge for 50-50s. Colace did it just once yesterday and it was a poor challenge which saw him booked and then immediately subbed (presumably to ensure he was available for Tuesday) On his showings this season he doesn't deserve a place in the side when Sir Alex and his boys come visiting.
The wings were very poor too. Adam Hammill had very little impact on the game, except when he scored a very classy goal in the first minute of injury time whilst Jamal Campbell-Ryce- a shock inclusion after not even being in the squad in the last two games- was a disgrace.
Campbell-Ryce epitomises everything that's wrong with the modern day footballer. Sulky if he gets dropped and his performance today showed he clearly didn't want to be at the club. His selfishness was epitomised when he was replaced after 53 minutes. The Reds were 2-0 down but Campbell-Ryce walked off as if he had all day- the fans showed their displeasure with boos.
In terms of chances
Gerken launched a long ball forward which
The Reds then were staring into the abyss when more poor defending saw City (without an away win since February) go 2-0 up three minutes before half-time.
Danny Haynes wriggled past Carl Dickinson far too easily and got to the by-line before squaring the ball into the area. It was met by Evander Sno who had burst into the area unmarked and the man who has faced teams such as AC Milan and Barcelona whilst with Celtic coolly smashed the ball past Steele.
Whilst the Robins were happy to protect their lead after the break it has to be said
It was
Daniel Bogdanovic- who had replaced the injured Hume at half time, drove in a shot that Gerken somehow allowed to squeeze through his arms and legs and into the net. It was the lifeline The Reds needed. Butterfield was inches away from his second senior goal when his effort flew inches wide but the game was controversially taken away from
The Reds did get back into the game in the first minute of four added for injuries, when Hammill curled a lovely effort into the far corner and he should have equalised right at the death but he somehow sent a free header wide.
The damage had already been done though. Ironically
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: Had no chance with the goals and produced a brilliant penalty save. Unlucky to see three goals go past him. 7
Carl Dickinson: Never seems to stand out and it was another quiet if solid game. I suppose we will realise how much we need him when Rob Kozluk comes in on Tuesday… 6
Stephen Foster: Allowed Maynard to turn him far too easily for the first goal but was solid apart from that. 7
Darren Moore: Like Foster, made a complete hash of defending the first goal but was good thereafter. 7
Ryan Shotton:
Adam Hammill: Seems to be going through a phase at the moment where he has very little impact but pops up with a very good goal. Hopefully the full performance will come soon too. 6.5
Hugo Colace: Must be close to getting dropped. Apart from the opening 10 minutes when he looked in command he was very poor. Shirks out of every 50-50 and instead of tackling, he just flicks out a leg which gets nowhere near. 4
Emil Hallfredsson: Another who excelled for 10 minutes and then sunk. Unbelievably close to putting The Reds in front with a smashing effort that was tipped onto the crossbar. 5
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: A bizarre selection and a wrong one. Was plain as day that he didn't want to be there. His attitude stunk the place out. The sooner he leaves the better! 0
Iain Hume: Never really got into the game and departed injured at half time. 4
Andy Gray: Always gives 100% effort and works ever so hard. Never really a goal threat though. 5
Substitutes:
Daniel Bogdanovic (for Hume 45) Continued his habit of scoring when brought off the bench. There have been more than a touch of fortune about the goal, but boy did
Anderson De Silva (for Campbell-Ryce 53) Has really staked his claim to start the Manchester United game. Helped take control of the midfield and a lot of
Jacob Butterfield (for Colace 63) Another who is really pushing to start on Tuesday. Has calmness and composure in the middle- something Colace should be offering. 7
Unused Substitutes:
David Preece, O'Neil Thompson, Rob Kozluk, Jon Macken.
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Ryan Shotton- Once again was outstanding. Didn't deserve to be sent off.
Subs: Hartley, Clarkson, Williams, Sproule, Saborio, Basso.
Most Impressed by
Ref Watch: Andy Haines: What else needs to be said? Cost The Reds a point. 0
Coca Cola Championship Results
We are 9 points off the Play-Offs, 12 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 13
points off First place and 4 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Carling Cup Fourth Round:
Tickets:
EAST STAND UPPER TIER
The East Stand Upper Tier is sold out although there is still extremely limited availability in the Family Area.
EAST STAND LOWER TIER
There are virtually no tickets remaining in the East Stand Lower Tier.
CK BECKETT STAND (PONTEFRACT ROAD END)
There is still limited availability in the CK Beckett Stand.
WEST STAND UPPER AND LOWER TIERS
Tickets are still available in both the West Stand Upper and West Stand Lower Tiers.
Tickets are priced at £25 for adults and £15 concessions.
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Fifteen:
Tickets:
ADULTS - £22.00 (Standing £17.00)
SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 60) - £14.00 (Standing £14.00)
STUDENTS - £14.00 (Standing £14.00)
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £10.00 (Standing £10.00)