Its fair to say Barnsley's Brazilian centre half Dennis Souza is what you would call an enigma. When he arrived in the summer of 2007 as a virtual unknown from Belgian side
Charleroi, he started the season a revelation. His form dipped in the second half of the campaign but throughout the first few months of 2008-2009 he has looked brilliant again. But just as you thought he was turning into a fully accomplished defender, he handed promotion chasing Reading a goal they never looked likely to squander.The kick-off was delayed 15 minutes due to the Reading team bus breaking down en route to Oakwell but there was nothing wrong with the mechanics of this strong Reading side as they came with a purpose and achieved it, but only thanks to the gift Souza brought them.
In their ranks, Steve Coppell's side had the league's top scorer 15 goal Kevin Doyle, but for 89 minutes and 55 seconds the Reds back four easily kept him quiet. But for those other five seconds, he robbed Souza and set up the goal. And unfortunately in the Championship that can happen.
Once again The Reds dominated possession in a home game but rarely tested the Royals American goal-keeper Marcus Hahnemann. The best chances fell to Kayode Odejayi as they invariably do, but once again he proceeded to miss sitters. But more of that later.
Reading were alive from the off and the one chance Doyle got arrived after eight minutes when he forced Heinz Muller into a fine save at his near post, and after half chances fell to Anderson and Jon Macken, Muller somehow clawed Jimmy Kebe's effort away off the line.
The game exploded on 35 minutes with the straight red card for Kebe. As Kebe and Souza contested a Reading throw-in, Kebe was adjudged to have flung an elbow into Souza's face. In fairness I missed the incident but the Reds fans nearest in the West Stand and referee Clive Oliver were in no doubt and Kebe was off. If only Oliver had been the referee against Sheffield United…
The sending off seemed to disorientate Reading and after a fair tackle by Marciano Van Homoet on Noel Hunt, the Reading man got to his feet and grabbed Van Homoet's shirt.
The Reds nearly snatched the lead after 53 minutes when a 25 yard stinger from Anderson was beaten away by Hahnemann and two minutes later Muller produced a fine stop from an equally good effort from James Harper. But just as The Reds were getting comfortable Reading snatched the lead. A long ball forward from the Royals defence should have been dealt with comfortably by Souza. But the Brazilian's first touch was poor, and instead of hitting Row Z with his second, he dawdled on the ball, slipped, Doyle took control and slipped the ball across to the unmarked Brynjar Gunnarsson. Despite Muller rushing out to meet him the Icelander coolly slipped the ball home. It was a real hammer blow for The Reds and Souza hung his head in his hands.
It should have been 1-1 within minutes though as Cureton was denied by Hahnemann, Anderson's rebound was blocked and then Foster's second rebound was blocked again by Hahnemann.
Then on 67 minutes Simon Davey threw on Odejayi for Simon Whaley. You just knew what was coming. Firstly on 72 minutes, the excellent Bobby Hassell rammed in a shot that fell at the feet of Odejayi but from 12 yards he spooned over and with four minutes remaining, he was presented with an even better chance. Jamal Campbell-Ryce's corner was headed on by Stephen Foster and landed perfectly for Odejayi a mere three yards out. Row Z beckoned again.
I don't normally take much notice of the fans who ring into Praise or Grumble on BBC Radio Sheffield, but the fan who said Odejayi was the worst striker he'd ever seen at Oakwell was spot on! What has Michael Coulson done wrong exactly? Odejayi gets chance after chance and spurns it whilst Coulson- who has looked dangerous in fleeing substitute appearances- cannot even get on the pitch. Odejayi has made 63 appearances in the year and a half he has been at Oakwell, Coulson has made 17 (just one a start) in roughly the same amount of time if you take out the six months he was injured with his cruciate ligament damage. The stats just do not add up.
The Reds now face Swansea, Wolves, Plymouth, Burnley and Preston with three of those away from home. The stats, may yet become even more unpleasant.
P.S Was great to see Iain Hume in attendance today. We really could do with him out on the pitch!!
Player Ratings:
Heinz Muller: At his best again. Produced three terrific saves. 8
Marciano Van Homoet: His first start since being sent off on the opening day of the season and acquitted himself well. 7
Dennis Souza: Brilliant apart from the one moment of madness that gifted Reading the game. 7
Stephen Foster: Another good captain's display. Never beaten. 8
Bobby Hassell: Excellent! Best game he's had in ages. Never put a foot wrong. 9
Simon Whaley: Last game of his original loan spell from Preston, and for me he can go back. Was terrible today. Continually gave the ball away and wasn't a threat at all. 4
Hugo Colace: A lot better than he was at Forest. Tried desperately to get The Reds going forward. 7
Anderson De Silva: The Reds best midfielder. His class saw him control the game but even he couldn't break through a rock solid Reading defence. 7
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Has to start realising he doesn't have to try and win games on his own. You can see he cares too much but seems intent on reproducing that wonder goal against Doncaster. 6
Jon Macken: 100% again but never really looked like scoring. Well marshalled by Michael Duberry. 6
Jamie Cureton: Had a few half chances and has still got the nous to know when to make his runs. Just couldn't get the killer touch. 6
Substitutes:
Kayode Odejayi (for Whaley 67) Missed Barnsley's best two chances of the game. I'm lost as to how he justifies selection. 3
Mounir El Haimour (for Van Homoet 78) Better than he has been. Produced some decent crosses. 7
Maceo Rigters (for Macken 87) He can never really be judged if this is the only time he's getting on the pitch. 5
Unused Substitutes:
Michael Coulson, Miguel Mostto.
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Jamal Campbell-Ryce
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Bobby Hassell: Strange choice from the sponsors this week, Hassell was head and shoulders above everybody else.
Reading: Hahnemann ,Rosenior ,Duberry ,Ingimarsson ,Armstrong ,Kebe (sent off 35),Cisse ,Harper ,Stephen Hunt ,Doyle ,Noel Hunt (Gunnarsson ,56)
Subs not used Federici,Matejovsky,Long,Henry,
Most Impressed by Reading's: Michael Duberry: Never gave Macken or Cureton a moment's space on the ball.
Ref Watch: Clive Oliver: According to my sources, got the sending off spot on. Had a good game. 8
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Saturday 6th December 2008:
BARNSLEY 0-1 Reading
Birmingham 3-2 Reading
Blackpool 2-0 Charlton
Bristol City 0-0 Swansea
Cardiff 2-0 Preston
Coventry 2-2 Nottingham Forest
Derby 1-2 Crystal Palace
Doncaster 1-0 Plymouth
QPR 1-0 Wolves
Sheffield United 2-3 Burnley
Southampton 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Barnsley lie in 18th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 24 points from 21 games.
We are 8 points off the Play-Offs, 20 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 23 points off First place and 6 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to and including 6/12/08
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twenty Two: Swansea City v Barnsley Tuesday 9th December 2008 Kick-Off 7:45m
Tickets:
Adults - £23
Senior Citizens - £13
Full Time Students - £13
Juvenile (Under 16) - £10
Official Reds on The Road Coaches will be making the trip to the Liberty Stadium. Tickets: £25. The coach leaves Oakwell at 1:45pm on the day of the game.
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twenty One: Barnsley v Reading Saturday 6th December 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
CK Beckett 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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