Barnsley claimed back to back goal-less draws for the first time in six years and stretched the score-less run to four league games as the Wednesday hoodoo agonisingly reached nine games at Oakwell. For the third home meeting out of the last four with the blue boys of Sheffield, The Reds were held to a stalemate in a game lacking in quality, ideas and clear-cut chances.
In fact Barnsley only mustered one real effort on target in the whole game when Stephen Foster ghosted in at the back post to meet a Jamal Campbell-Ryce cross with a header that Wednesday keeper Lee Grant did well to parry away. The fact that it happened in the 80th minute summed up the game. With Anderson De Silva missing from the midfield (as he will be now for anything up to seven months!) The Reds totally lost the midfield battle with 34 year old veteran Graham Kavanagh pulling the strings. Diego Leon looked lost and was far too light-weight for the heat and battle of a South Yorkshire derby whilst captain Brian Howard, despite vowing to make Owls boss Brian Laws eat his words regarding being worried about getting a booking that would rule him out of the Chelsea game, seemed to fully vindicate what Laws said as he refused to enter any 50-50 challenges that could rule him out of next weekend's showpiece.
Jon Macken again looked lively up front with his touch and passing, especially in a first 20 minutes where Barnsley dominated but Danny Nardiello was again ineffective and it looks very unlikely he will return permanently on performances like this.
Wednesday showed the virtues of having a big bustling striker up front in the form of Enoch Showunmi whose presence unsettled Lewin Nyatanga and Foster but to the pair's credit, not to the extent where he could cause any sever damage.
The Owls theatrics were often cause for concern as Wade Small dived in the area to try to win a penalty and was then booked for more diving on 22 minutes.
There was a comedic moment in the 34th minute when the howling wind caused havoc with Kavanagh's attempts to take a corner when he finally did whip the ball in it was headed away from the near post by Nardiello.
Wednesday nearly took the lead after 40 minutes. Showunmi showed pace and strength to turn away from Marciano Van Homoet before hitting a low cross into the area that Nyatanga just managed to divert away with Marcus Tudgay waiting to tap-in. Three minutes later they missed a real sitter.
Kavanagh's free kick took a wicked deflection which Steele managed to block with his body but from barely four yards out Owls defender Richard Wood somehow managed to turn the rebound over the bar. It probably could explain the reason why Wood is a defender and not a striker!
The second half was another poor affair with the wind, like on Tuesday night stopping either side from playing any decent football, but it was Wednesday, again backed by over 6,000 fans who made the best of the conditions and penned The Reds back for long periods.
Steele had to save relatively easy efforts from Burton O'Brien and Showunmi before Foster had his effort turned away by Grant. The introduction of Kayode Odejayi brightened things up but his first touch let him down on too many occasions.
There was still time for late drama when ex Sheffield United man Rob Kozluk was shown his second yellow card for a late challenege on O'Brien which means he will miss Tuesday night's trip to Blackpool.
After hanging on for a point at "fortress" Oakwell, that trip to Bloomfield Road where Barnsley haven't lost in the league since 1981 and have won four of the last five league visits, takes on paramount importance! Defeat there doesn't bear thinking about at the moment.
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: Only had tame efforts to deal with. Two successive clean sheets will do him no harm. 7
Rob Kozluk: Probably his worst performance of the club. It would come against Wednesday hey… Had a succession of poor challenges and it was just a surprise it took until the 90th minute for his dismissal. Booked. Sent Off. 5
Stephen Foster: Handled Showunmi very well. His and Nyatanga's cool performance contributed much to the clean sheet. Tried to play football in the poor conditions. 8
Lewin Nyatanga: Accomplished as ever. Refused to be beaten and made one great interception that stopped a certain Tudgay goal in the first half. 8
Marciano Van Homoet: Like Werling, I feel Van Homoet would be better served playing left midfield. Looks a lot better going forward than when defending. 6
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Again the best attacking outlet. His crosses were begging to be turned in but nobody was alert enough to do it. Ran out of steam at the end. Subbed. 7.5
Brian Howard: Seemed to have the Chelsea game at the back of his mind and wasn't the inspirational captain we needed. 6
Bobby Hassell: Another decent display but lost the midfield battle to Kavanagh. Booked. 6
Diego Leon: Looked lost in the battle of a South Yorkshire derby. Tried to take on too many men who easily brushed him off. Subbed.4
Jon Macken: Showed nice touches and control at the start but then lost his way as decent balls to him dried up. 6
Daniel Nardiello: Did nothing again. His reputation of past years will not keep him in the side forever. Subbed. 4
Substitutes:
Kayode Odejayi (for Nardiello 61) The Wednesday defence were finally unsettled when he came on but his touch let him down. 6
Martin Devaney (for Leon 77) One lung busting run nearly created a chance but by this time The Reds attacking thrust was virtually nil. 6
Michael Coulson (for Campbell-Ryce 83) Davey switched to 4-3-3 for the final seven minutes. It was too little to late but Coulson gave his all as always. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Sam Togwell, Istvan Ferenczi
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Grant, Gilbert (Spurr 72), Hinds, Kavanagh, Tudgay, O'Brien, Wood, Beevers, Small (Sahar 53), Bolder, Showunmi (Burton 77).
Subs: Wallwork, Burch.
Sponsors Man of the Match: Stephen Foster
BarnsleyBoy's Men of the Match: Stephen Foster & Lewin Nyatanga: Both were in great form to keep Wednesday quiet.
Ref Watch: Steve Tanner: Too quick to reach for his book, although Kozluk deserved to go. 6
Other Reports:
Official Website
BBC
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Saturday 1st March 2008:
BARNSLEY 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Bristol City 2-1 Hull
Burnley 2-2 Watford
Cardiff 0-1 Leicester
Colchester 0-1 Wolves
Norwich 1-2 Blackpool
Preston 0-1 Crystal Palace
Scunthorpe 2-1 Coventry
Sheffield United 0-2 Charlton
Southampton 1-1 Ipswich
West Brom 3-0 Plymouth
Barnsley lie in 15th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 42 points from 35 games.
We are 10 points off the Play-Offs, 20 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 22 points off First place and 6 points above the Relegation Zone
Up to and including 1/3/08
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Six: Blackpool v Barnsley, Tuesday 4th March 2008 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets:
Adults - £17.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £13.00
Juveniles (16 to 19) - £10.00
Juveniles (Under 16) - £8.50
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Blackpool. Coaches will depart Oakwell at 4.30pm on the day of the game and the fare is £12.00
At Oakwell:
FA Cup Quarter Final: Barnsley v Chelsea Saturday 8th March 2008 Kick-Off 5.30pm
Tickets:
TICKETS for our epic FA Cup Sixth Round clash with Chelsea will go on General Sale at 9.00am on Monday March 3, 2008.
In order to alleviate queues at the Oakwell Box Office match tickets in all home areas of the stadium, subject to availability (more news soon) will be on sale on the East Stand turnstiles from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Please note that the sales on the turnstiles are CASH ONLY.
Due to the anticipated high demand for tickets for the game with Chelsea supporters will be limited to strictly TWO TICKETS per person.
Season ticket holders have until close of business (3.00pm) on Saturday March 1, 2008, to claim their seats for this game.
Oakwell Box Office Opening Hours
Thursday February 28 - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Friday February 29 - 9.00am to 7.00pm
Saturday March 1 - 9.00am to 3.00pm - Please note that the Oakwell Box Office and Reds Superstore will not be open after the game.
Sunday March 2 - Closed
As of lunchtime today (Wednesday), around 11,500 tickets have been sold for this game in home areas of Oakwell Stadium.
Adults - £25.00
Senior Citizens (60 and Over) - £15.00
Juveniles (15 and under) - £15.00
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Seven: Barnsley v Ipswich Town, Tuesday 11th March 2008 Kick-Off 7:45pm
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.On The Road:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Six: Blackpool v Barnsley, Tuesday 4th March 2008 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets:
Adults - £17.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £13.00
Juveniles (16 to 19) - £10.00
Juveniles (Under 16) - £8.50
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Blackpool. Coaches will depart Oakwell at 4.30pm on the day of the game and the fare is £12.00
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