The Premier League is currently considering sending their 20 clubs across the globe to play matches. I suggest that the Football League devises a plan that allows Barnsley to play all their games at home.
Last weekend at the Ricoh Arena, Barnsley were truly woeful against a Coventry side who were below The Reds in the table, without a clean sheet since October and without a win in 2008. They still managed to put four past Simon Davey's side.
Fast forward a week, and table toppers West Brom came to Oakwell with just one defeat in their last seven games in all competitions. They were seen off in style.. Just like the rest of the top three- Watford and Bristol City.
Barnsley sit in 14th place in the Championship and are a mere five points off the play-off places. That means if they had won just 3 away games (they managed that total in the Premier League) they would be in the top six and looking at a shock top flight return.
Saturday was the fifth time this season The Reds have followed an away defeat with a home victory. Chalk and cheese doesn't come close to explaining it.
Lewin Nyatanga and in particular Dennis Souza were ripped to shreds by Coventry's Leon Best last weekend, but back on home soil they nullified the threat of West Brom's 28 goal partnership of Kevin Phillips and Roman Bednar to such an extent that Bednar, with 11 goals in 13 Baggies appearances was subbed at half-time!
Alongside Nyatanga and Souza, Stephen Foster was his usual dependable and unflappable self whilst Rob Kozluk, making his first league appearance since November made a complete mockery of Davey's decision to leave him out for the past three months by putting in an outstanding performance.
Martin Devaney was a man possessed, not famed for his work-rate he tracked back and when on the attack gave Paul Robinson a nightmare of a lifetime. Robinson has been linked with Premier League teams. He's probably still trying to get his blood flowing in a straight line this morning.
And this now brings me nicely to the strike force of Jon Macken and Daniel Nardiello. Both have places in Reds fans hearts but both never looked like scoring at Coventry. Against West Brom they looked potent. Nardiello in particular could have had a hat-trick if not more. From hitting the inside of the post within two minutes to stabbing inches wide after a run over half of the length of the pitch after the break, it looked like the old "Nards" was back. Yes he was still the victim of the offside flag on a few occasions but there seemed to be more method to his madness yesterday afternoon. By hanging on the edge of the last defender it was always likely he would get lucky on at least one occasion and he proved that when he does get away he can finish as he fired Barnsley in front.
The lead should have come barely 90 seconds after the start.
Anderson De Silva's effort hit Macken who managed to knock it to the unmarked Nardiello six yards out. His connection was poor though and although Baggies keeper Dean Kiely stood beaten, the ball struck the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly across the line.
It was a sign of things to come. As always at home Barnsley were flying in the first half. After five minutes, Nyatanga flicked on Brian Howard's free kick but Macken couldn't produce a finish.
Just three minutes later Souza was inches away from his third Barnsley goal as he beat Kiely to Kozluk's hanging free kick, but the ball hit a West Brom defender and just flicked over the bar.
Nardiello was giving Bostjan Cesar a torrid time and after disposing the Slovenian defender on 14 minutes, the QPR loanee was hauled to the floor for a free kick which Howard sent way over the top.
The onslaught finally paid dividends on the half hour as Nardiello went someway to restoring his reputation at Oakwell with his first goal since his return and his 32nd Barnsley goal of his career.
Cesar was criminally dispossed near the half way line by Nardiello and the striker ran clear. With only Kiely to beat, Nads coolly slipped the ball into the far corner of the net.
With Barnsley though 1-0 half-time leads are never good, as the Stoke and Norwich games proved. That's why Macken's fifth goal in 14 Barnsley appearances right on the stroke of half-time was so crucial.
Howard's free kick into the West Brom box caused mayhem as first Nyatanga and then Nardiello saw efforts blocked on the line before the ball fell to Macken and he showed the composure needed to just turn the ball home.
The expected second half onslaught from West Brom never really materialised. Craig Beattie, scorer of four goals this season replaced Bednar at the break but again was well marshalled and Tony Warner only had one real stop to make on 55 minutes when he reacted well to deny another West Brom halftime sub Leon Barnett from slotting home. Barnett was the man to make a real impact for the Baggies. After replacing the hapless Cesar, the Baggies backline looked far more secure.
Although Nardiello could and should have made the game safe at the start of the second half. Warner caught a West Brom corner and produced an outrageous throw that put Nardiello in the clear again. This time though he lost his usual composure and put the ball inches wide of the near post.
That let off roused West Brom slightly and they finally got a lifeline on 59 minutes.
A lovely back heel by Phillips was finished off by James Morrison.
Barnsley though refused to buckle and even had chances to finish off the game with Devaney, Howard and sub Michael Coulson all going close. At the back West Brom were reduced to long distance efforts.
If only some away days were like this. Ah well, its Plymouth, Liverpool and Norwich on the road next, before the Wendies come to Fortress Oakwell. Perfect time to put it right!
Player Ratings:
Tony Warner: His defence helped him a lot more on his home debut and he was only forced into one real save. Produced an incredible throw to release Nardiello in the second half. 7
Stephen Foster: Still at right back but unflappable as ever. Could play at a higher level. 7
Dennis Souza: Has gone full circle this week. Atrocious at Coventry he didn't let the most lethal strike force in the division have a sniff this weekend. 8
Lewin Nyatanga: Another player to recover from the Ricoh debacle. Strong in the air and on the ground. Never ruffled. 8
Rob Kozluk: How he has been left out since November is beyond me. Was absolutely outstanding on Saturday. First to every ball he looked a class act. Tininho should have got on the West Brom coach and gone back with them. 9
Martin Devaney: Like a man possessed. His crossing left a lot to be desired but he gave Robinson a game to forget! Seemed to run out of steam after an hour but never stopped going. 8
Brian Howard: An improvement. That's all Ill say. Nowhere near back to his best but we'll take it one step at a time. 7
Anderson De Silva: He is one of those players you just envy. How can he make playing football look so easy when we try our hardest and still look poor. Every time he was on the ball he seemed to have space and time. Like Stephen McPhail but ten times better. What a coup! 8
Diego Leon: So much skill. Every time he receives the ball he beats two or three men. A real crowd pleaser and not bad on the corners either. Subbed. 7
Daniel Nardiello: Welcome back Daniel. His goal was the first step to recovery with fans. If he had got the hat-trick he should have got we would all have forgotten his summer betrayal. Subbed. 7
Jon Macken: Continued his recent scoring run with a crucial goal on halftime. Showed calmness to slot home when others would have panicked. Another excellent signing. Subbed. 7
Substitutes:
Michael Coulson (for Nardiello 73) So very nearly got his first league goal for The Reds when he charged down Robinson's attempted clearance. Bright and bubbly as always. 7
Istvan Ferenczi (for Macken 80) Held the ball up well in the closing stages when possession was vital. 7
Bobby Hassell (for Leon 85) Only a cameo appearance to waste time which isn't befitting of a player of his talent and stature. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Kayode Odejayi
West Brom:
Kiely ,Hoefkens, Albrechtsen ,Cesar (Barnett ,46 ) ,Robinson ,Filipe Teixeira ,Greening ,Morrison ,Brunt (Gera ,64 ) ,Bednar (Beattie ,46 ) ,Phillips
Subs not used
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Lewin Nyatanga
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Rob Kozluk. Nyatanga played well but Kozluk was outstanding. Blades fans might think appointing Bryan Robson as manager was a bad decision, letting Kozluk go was even worse!
Impressed by West Brom's: Leon Barnett: Shored up a shocking defence on his arrival at half time.
Ref Watch: Tony Bates: Denied Barnsley two cast-iron penalties and it also took about five bad fouls from Jonathan Greening before he was finally booked. 4
Other Reports:
FootyMad
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Saturday 9th February 2008:
BARNSLEY 2-1 West Brom
Bristol City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Burnley 1-1 Colchester
Cardiff 1-2 Norwich
Hull 2-2 Blackpool
Ipswich 1-2 Watford
Leicester 0-1 Plymouth
Preston 1-0 Coventry
Sheffield United 0-0 Scunthorpe
Southampton 2-3 QPR
Wolves 2-4 Stoke
Friday 8th February 2008:
Charlton 2-0 Crystal Palace
Barnsley lie in 14th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 40 points from 31 games.
We are 5 points off the Play-Offs, 14 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 15 points off First Place and 9 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to and including 10/2/08
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Two: Plymouth Argyle v Barnsley Tuesday 12th February 2008 Kick-Off 7:45pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £22.00
Senior Citizens - £15.00
Young Adults (Under 23) - £13.00
Juveniles (Under 18) - £6.00
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Home Park. Coaches will depart Oakwell at 1pm on the day of the game and the fare is £22.00.
FA Cup Fifth Round: Liverpool v Barnsley Saturday 16th February 2008 Kick off 3pm.
Tickets: SOLD OUT!!!
Beam-Back Tickets:
SEASON TICKET HOLDERS - £5.00
Season ticket holders will be able to purchase TWO Beam Back tickets each on production of special match voucher E.
Season ticket holders will be able to book their Beam Back tickets at the Oakwell Box Office on Monday February 11 and Tuesday February 12, 2008.
Season ticket holders wishing to make postal applications or application via e-mail or fax can do so quoting their patron code during Monday February 11 and Tuesday February 12, 2008. Supporters making postal applications or application via e-mail or fax will have until Friday February 15, 2008, to collect their tickets from the Oakwell Box Office (on production of Special Match Voucher E).
Postal applications must be received at Oakwell by Wednesday February 13, 2008, to ensure tickets can be posted back in time for the game.
OAKWELL CENTENARY SOCIETY MEMBERS - £5.00
Members of the Oakwell Centenary Society will be able to purchase ONE Beam Back ticket.
Members of the Oakwell Centenary Society will be able to book their Beam Back tickets at the Oakwell Box Office on Monday February 11 and Tuesday February 12, 2008.
REDS SAVER ACCOUNT HOLDERS - £5.00
Reds Saver Account Holders will be able to purchase ONE Beam Back ticket.
Reds Saver Account Holders will be able to book their Beam Back tickets at the Oakwell Box Office on Monday February 11 and Tuesday February 12, 2008.
SUPPORTERS WITH A TICKET STUB FROM THE COLCHESTER UNITED GAME (JANUARY 29) - £5.00
Supporters who attended last month's clash with Colchester United will be able to purchase ONE Beam Back ticket on production of their ticket stub.
Supporters who attended last month's clash with Colchester United will be able to book their Beam Back tickets at the Oakwell Box Office on Monday February 11 and Tuesday February 12, 2008.
SUPPORTERS WITH A TICKET STUB FROM THE WEST BROMWICH ALBION GAME (FEBRUARY 9) - £5.00
Supporters who attend this weekend's clash with West Bromwich Albion will be able to purchase ONE Beam Back ticket on production of their ticket stub.
Supporters who attend this weekend's clash with West Bromwich Albion will be able to book their Beam Back tickets at the Oakwell Box Office on Monday February 11 and Tuesday February 12, 2008.
Beam Back tickets will go on GENERAL SALE on Wednesday February 13, 2008, priced at:
SEASON TICKET HOLDERS ON PRODUCTION OF VOUCHER E - £5.00
OAKWELL CENTENARY SOCIETY MEMBERS - £5.00
REDS SAVER ACCOUNT HOLDERS - £5.00
SUPPORTERS WITH A TICKET STUB FROM THE COLCHESTER UNITED GAME (JANUARY 29) - £5.00
SUPPORTERS WITH A TICKET STUB FROM THE WEST BROMWICH ALBION GAME (FEBRUARY 9) - £5.00
Season ticket holders, Oakwell Centenary Society Members, Reds Saver Account Holders and supporters with ticket stubs from the Colchester United or West Brom matches have until close of business on Friday February 15, 2008, to take advantage of our special reduced rate.
ALL OTHER SUPPORTERS - £10.00
DISABLED SUPPORTERS MUST CONTACT THE OAKWELL BOX OFFICE
Supporters will be able to pay on the East Stand Turnstiles to gain admission to our exclusive Beam Back. Admission through the turnstiles will be priced at £10.00. The Oakwell Box Office will not be open on Saturday February 16, 2008.
There are initially 6,500 tickets available for our exclusive Beam Back.
Barnsley Football Club will also be opening the Oakwell Executive Suites for the game - phone the Marketing Department to book your seat and watch all the action in style.
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Three: Norwich City v Barnsley Saturday 23rd February 2008 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
TBA
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Four: Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday Saturday 1st March 2008 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
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.
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