Out of our depth is the first phrase that comes to mind.
Early season I had totally unfounded optimism that The Reds could maybe push for mid-table even laughably the top half. On last nights showing however the majority of players that helped Barnsley win promotion last season don't look cut out for the Championship.
A 2-2 draw against a team with 3 wins on the bounce, when we had lost 3 on the spin looks like a good result. It was, very good and extremely flattering.
Antony Kay's wonder strike with just 2 minutes on the clock briefly threatened to signal the start of a vital home victory. That was until The Reds proceeded to try and defend that lead!
Plymouth didn't waste time.
Mistakes may well have been unpunished in League One, at Championship level you make a mistake you concede a goal.
29 minutes gone and a long punt upfield from Argyle keeper' Luke McCormick was miss-kicked by Kay to set former Manchester United youngster Sylvan Ebanks-Blake away at a slight angle.
Last season a shot from an opposition striker from there may well have flashed the side-netting, Blake's ripped into the back of the net.
Within 5 minutes Plymouth had turned the game around.
Ebanks-Blake's right wing cross was just too high for Bobby Hassell but fell perfectly on the chest of veteran Barry Hayles who swivelled and fired past Colgan.
Just like that, two great pieces of football two goals.
By this point there was a real worry Plymouth could turn this game into a landslide.
The entire Barnsley back-four were continuously lumping long balls up in the hope that either Marc Richards or Paul Hayes, who were both poor, could make use of them.
Second half saw a slight improvement and a well crafted equaliser on 50minutes.
Michael McIndoe lofted in a left-wing free-kick which Kay headed back across goal and Richards couldn't miss, smashing home for 8yards.
Again The Reds had a platform to go on and try to win the game but it was Plymouth, supremely well organised under the fantastic Ian Holloway who chased the game.
Colgan had to be at best to deny Hayles before Ritchie brought off both Hayes and Richards and introduced Tommy Wright and Daniel Nardiello. Nads making his first appearance at Oakwell since the Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg.
He nearly grabbed the winner 5 minutes from time as nothing great free-kick from McIndoe was glanced just wide by Nardiello.
Barnsley though could and probably should have lost it in stoppage time for the 3rd game in a row and 4th out of the last 5 when David Norris deflected a clearance past a stranded Colgan but onto the post. And even later when Tony Capaldi's cross swerved towards goal over Colgan but again onto the base of the post.
BarnsleyBoy's Verdict:
Worrying times. This season was always going to be hard and a learning curve. The most important thing is keeping our heads above that relegation zone, something we are just doing. Defeat at Sunderland on Saturday though could change all that. This is the time players must roll up their sleeves and stand up to be counted.
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Absolutely no chance with the goals and good stop from Hayles kept Barnsley on level terms. His reluctance to leave his line is starting to re-appear! 6
Neil Austin: Battled well against the seemingly endless stream of Plymouth attacks. Tired out at the end. Subbed. 6
Bobby Hassell: Again dominated at centre-back. Moved to right-back after Reid's introduction. Once again it stifled his game. 8
Antony Kay: As Soccer Am would say, Take A Boow Son!! Wonder-goal with barely 90seconds on the clock opened up the game. Miss-kick though was punished by Ebanks-Blake. 7
Robbie Williams: Got forward often and yet didn't shirk his defensive responsibilities. Have him in over Heckingbottom anyday. 7
Martin Devaney: Again too many tricks at inappropriate times. He must have backheeled the ball to a Plymouth player three or four times during the match. Also looked shattered by half-time. 6
Sam Togwell: Industrious as ever. Will work for 90 minutes. 7
Brian Howard: Always tried to get Barnsley moving forward and played with his heart on his sleeve. 8
Michael McIndoe: Not as effective with his pace as usual but two excellent free-kicks created one goal and nearly providing Nardiello with glory. Booked. 7
Paul Hayes: Seems totally out of form now. Lost the ball frequently and ambled around until replaced. Subbed. 4
Marc Richards: Gets a better rating than Hayes because he scored but fans demand a lot more if he is to deserve a starting place. Subbed. 6
Substitutes:
Paul Reid (for Austin 66) Came on to add height and strength to the defence to combat Hayles. But his introduction saw Hassell moved to right-back where he became less effective. 6
Tommy Wright (for Richards 80) Put himself about a bit and nearly laid on a chance for Nardiello. 6
Daniel Nardiello (for Hayes 80) Good to see him back on the Oakwell pitch. So very nearly the match-winner for the second game running. 7
Unused Substitutes:
Vito Mannone, Colin Healy,
Sponsors Man of the Match:
Michael McIndoe
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match:
McIndoe was only impressive from set-pieces for me and whilst nobody really stood out last night I'm going to opt for Brian Howard just for his effort.
Most Impressed By Plymouth's: A few caught the eye, but Ebanks-Blake looks a top prospect!
Ref Watch: Clive Oliver: I shall only talk about refs and their assistants when they start performing. Shocking as ever. 2
Coca Cola Championship Results Tuesday 17th October 2006
Barnsley 2-2 Plymouth
Birmingham 0-1 Norwich
Burnley 0-0 Southend
Cardiff 1-0 Southampton
Crystal Palace 0-2 West Brom
Hull 0-0 Luton
Ipswich 2-3 Preston
Leeds 1-2 Leicester
QPR 1-2 Derby
Stoke 2-1 Sunderland
Wolves 1-0 Coventry
Barnsley lie in 20th place in the Championship with 12 points from 12 games. We are 8 points off the Play-Offs, 11 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 17 points off First Place and 2 Points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Fourteen: Barnsley v Coventry City Saturday 28th October 2006 Kick-Off 3pm
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 01226 211200. 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 Thirteen: Sunderland v Barnsley Saturday 21st October 2006 Kick-Off 3pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £24.00
OAPs (Over 65) - £14.00
Juveniles (U16) - £8.00
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to the Stadium of Light.
Tickets: £11
The coach leaves Oakwell at 11:30am on the day of the game.
Man of the Match: Brian Howard