Barnsley came from behind to claim the points for the fourth time this season due to yet another superb second half performance.
Like against Newcastle in the previous home game, The Reds failed to hit the heights in the opening 45 minutes, but Mark Robins half-time words of wisdom turned it around. Robins could even claim himself a tactical genius by replacing Adam Hammill for Jacob Butterfield at half-time and switching Emil Hallfredsson to the left wing. Butterfield’s composure changed the game whilst Hallfredsson was a revelation on the wing… although the fact the Icelander ditched his ridiculous “scarf” at the break may also have helped.
The first half was an appalling show from a Reds persuasion. Hallfredsson and Hugo Colace looked incredibly uncomfortable as a central midfield partnership, whilst highly rated Adam Johnson was riling the home crowd and beating Bobby Hassell at every turn.
Boro, with Premier League quality players such as Johnson and Gary O’Neil were taking advantage and only a smart stop from Luke Steele denied Julio Arca. The amount of possession Boro were enjoying meant it was no surprise when they took the lead after 23 minutes, although the scorer and way it was scored may have raised eyebrows.
Full back Justin Hoyte attempted to swing in a cross from the left hand side, but the ball swirled in the air before looping over Steele and into the top corner of the net. A fluke of a goal, but it meant The Reds had fallen behind first for the third time in their last five matches- although they did not lose any of the four previous. It was that tenacity that kept belief in the Red ranks but Hammill made a real mess of a great opportunity. After managing to skip past Tony McMahon and drive into the area, he once again opted to do too much rather than take the simple of option of squaring the ball and he was finally dispossessed.
That may have been a contributing factor in Robins hauling him off at the break and giving Butterfield his first taste of action in two months. He certainly didn’t disappoint. The 19 year old has a footballing head that belies his younger years and he soon gained a strong hold on the midfield. Indeed The Reds should have been level within the first minute of the second period. Hallfredsson whipped over a freekick that was met by Stephen Foster, but David Wheater hacked the effort off the line, but the skipper was not to be denied four minutes later. Hallfredsson’s corner skidded across the ground, was flicked across goal by Daniel Bogdanovic, sliced by a Boro defender and looped up perfectly for Foster to head home.
O’Neil put a cheeky chip onto the roof of the net but a Barnsley side unbeaten in seven had their tails up and on the hour mark they were in front.
More good work down the left saw Bogdanovic check back and whip in a great cross that Colace met full on to head past Danny Coyne.
The second half performance of Colace was like seeing the old Argentine back! In the first half he struggled alongside Hallfredsson, but with the calming influence of Butterfield alongside him, he was magnificent. Flying into tackles, and nine times out of ten coming away with the ball. It maybe just a flash in the pan so judgement will be reserved.
Boro were shell-shocked by this turnaround and their assurance of the first half had disappeared. A mistake by Bogdanovic, 15 minutes from time allowed Jon Franks to fire in an effort which Steele repelled but the Reds defence was holding firm, and a third goal should have been forthcoming with six minutes left.
Gray was clearly brought down in the area by Rhys Williams but the referee waved the appeals away (probably one of only a few things the referee got wrong during the game.) It didn’t matter. The Reds held on to stretch their unbeaten run to eight matches- their best run at this level in eight years. They could enter into the top half if they win their next match- the first time they would have been in the top half of English football’s second tier at the start of a year since 2000 when of course they ended up at Wembley in the May. Judging by the fact the next league game is a trip to bogey side Coventry; we can put those dreams on hold, but for a side with just two defeats in 13, its becoming clear that they don’t know when they are beaten.
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: Produced smart stops to deny Arca and Franks but will probably be disappointed at how he was beaten by Hoyte. 7
Rob Kozluk: Had an awful first half. Couldn’t seem to pass water. Improved after the break though, and surprisingly seemed far more comfortable with the pacy Adam Johnson than he was against the more robust O’Neil. 7
Darren Moore: Back to his best in the air after the shaky battle with Newcastle’s Andy Carroll. Threw himself into blocks as Boro attacked towards the end. 7
Stephen Foster: A real captain’s performance. Popped up with the crucial equaliser and was a rock at the back. 8
Bobby Hassell: Ran ragged by Johnson in the first half but a lot better after the break. Impressive going forward too. 7
Anderson De Silva: This was a more workmanlike performance from Anderson. Never really had the opportunity to show his skills so worked very hard, and produced lung-busting runs down the right flank. 7
Hugo Colace: It might be better to just bring the Argentine on in the second half of games, because he’s awful in the first half of matches but a revelation after the break. Benefited greatly from the presence of Butterfield alongside him. 7.5
Emil Hallfredsson: Like Bogdanovic, sported a ridiculous scarf and looked shell-shocked in the centre of midfield. Switched to the left in the second half and had much more impact. After one cross nearly brought a goal, his corner did produce the equaliser. 7
Adam Hammill: Must start realising he has to up his performance. Anonymous in the first half so Robins hauled him off and it looked like a different team. 4
Andy Gray: Had a terrific battle with David Wheater. A perfect target-man. 7
Daniel Bogdanovic: Lovely flick to set up the goal for Foster but not sure where the sponsors Man of the Match award came from. Never really looked like scoring and tired towards to the end. 6
Substitutes:
Jacob Butterfield (for Hammill 45) His introduction changed the game. Looked mature and confident. Should be starting every week.
Unused Substitutes:
David Preece, Luke Potter, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, O’Neil Thompson, Jon Macken, Iain Hume.
Sponsor’s Man of the Match: Daniel Bogdanovic
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Stephen Foster: A real captain’s performance. Crucial at both ends of the pitch.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Coyne, McMahon, Riggott, Wheater, Hoyte, R. Williams, Arca, O'Neill, Franks (L. Williams 74), Johnson, Bent.
Subs: Steer, Taylor, Yeates, Emnes, Grounds, Bennett.
Most Impressed by Middlesbrough’s: Adam Johnson: Has a real attitude problem judging by his taunting of the home crowd but you can see why several Premier League clubs are courting him
Ref Watch: Andy Hall: Missed a clear foul on Gray in the area and it was harsh to book Butterfield for his first challenge but apart from that he had a good game and kept control of things. 7
Coca Cola Championship Results Monday 28th December 2009:
BARNSLEY 2-1 Middlesbrough
Bristol City 2-2 Watford
Ipswich 3-0 QPR
Newcastle 0-0 Derby
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Coventry
Peterborough 4-4 Cardiff
Plymouth 4-1 Reading
Scunthorpe 1-3 West Brom
Sheffield United 1-0 Preston
Swansea 0-0 Crystal Palace
Barnsley lie in 15th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 30 points from 22 games.
We are 7 points off the Play-Offs, 15 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 21
points First place and 9 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to 29/12/09
Next Up:
On The Road:
FA Cup Third Round Scunthorpe United v Barnsley Saturday 2nd January 2010 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
ADULTS - £18.00
SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 60) - £11.00
YOUNG ADULT (UNDER 21) - £11.00
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £5.00
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twenty Three: Coventry City v Barnsley Saturday 9th January 2010 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
ADULTS - £25.00
SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 60) - £13.00
STUDENT (WITH VALID NUS) - £13.00
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £13.00
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twenty Four Plymouth Argyle v Barnsley Tuesday 12th January 2010 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets:
Plymouth Argyle Football Club have today confirmed that Reds fans who made the 300-plus mile trip to Home Park last weekend must re-present their ticket stub from the original game in order to gain admission to the rearranged match on Tuesday January 12, 2010, KO 7.45pm.
Saturday's match was controversially abandoned just before the hour mark with the Reds leading 4-1.
Supporters who no longer have a ticket-stub but who bought a ticket for the game should contact the relevant club Box Office. As long as proof of purchase can be established, they will be able to attend the re-arranged fixture at no extra charge.
Argyle have today confirmed that refunds will not be available.
Barnsley's game at Plymouth Argyle will be replayed at Home Park on Tuesday January 12, 2010, KO 7.45pm.
Please note that this date could change should the Reds FA Cup Third Round clash at Scunthorpe United require a replay.
FULL REFUND FOR OFFICIAL COACH
Barnsley FC can today confirm that supporters who made the trip to Plymouth Argyle on the OFFICIAL club coaches will receive a full refund. Supporters who made the 600 mile round trip to Home Park on Saturday November 28 on our official Reds On The Road coaches can claim their fare back from the Oakwell Box Office. Contact the Oakwell Box Office on 0871 2266777.
KEEP YOUR STUBS
BARNSLEY supporters who attended Saturday's (November 28) farcical rained-off Championship game at Home Park are urged to keep hold of their ticket stub from the match.
The club will make announcement as soon as possible regarding a new date for the fixture, which was controversially abandoned in the 58th minute with Mark Robins' side 4-1 up.
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twenty Five: Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday Saturday 16th January 2010 Kick-Off: 3pm
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U12) £6.00
Family Area
Adults £21.00
OAP £12.00
Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U12) £6.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U12) £5.00
CK Beckett Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £19.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U12) £5.00
All Disabled Areas £19.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
Please note that Juvenile U12 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.