The sub-heading may look like harsh words but it is the truth.
This current squad of players are not good enough to survive in the Championship.
Amid the euphoria of promotion we forgot that those set of players were only the FIFTH best team in League One and they look like one of the three worst in the Championship.
The desire seemed to be there (in the second half anyway) but Coventry, who weren't altogether that impressive had just enough in the tank to claim the three points with a late (again) winner.
At half time my match report was set to be a whole harsher! I'm not sure what it is with first halves of game but we never seem to perform or even try.
Paul Hayes was a joke and as one fan sat beside me said " He's put on that shirt today and then walked round in a coma" To think that I contribute to his wages after a performance like that made me sick!!! I can understand if a player try's and it just doesn't work out but Hayes looked as if he really wanted to be somewhere else. He can be on Wednesday if he wants!
Kevin Kyle showed what being a target man actually means – take note Marc Richards- by winning headers and generally outmuscling Paul Reid and Antony Kay in the air!
Barnsley struggled but had the only note-worthy effort of the first half when Sam Togwell's fierce drive was beaten away by Coventry keeper Andy Marshall.
The second half ensured my match report would be "slightly" kinder to the team as at least some of the players decided to compete.
Michael McIndoe who changed his shirt from short sleeve to long sleeve at half-time came out and battled whilst Brian Howard also got more into the game, but chances again eluded The Reds with too many crosses and corners failing to find a red shirt and the inevitable happened – conceding within the last 10 minutes.
Wayne Andrews replaced Leon McKenzie after 83 minutes to boos and chants of "You Don't Know What You're Doing" from the travelling Coventry fans.
Within around 10 seconds, Andrews had turned Paul Reid and rifled past Colgan. From villain to instant hero! If only we had someone like that!
Danny Nardiello very nearly grabbed The Reds an equaliser right at the death when his curling effort was tipped around the post by Marshall, but as The Reds slipped into the bottom three the realisation that is will be a long hard season truly hit home.
BarnsleyBoy's Verdict: Help!
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Cant really be faulted, had nothing to do but pick the ball out of the net. 6
Bobby Hassell: Again magnificent, it's evident that his best position is centre half but still was a rock at right back. 8
Antony Kay: His tendency to hoof aimless long balls returned and Kyle had him in the air. Step back after recent improvement. 5
Paul Reid ©: Pretty much the same as Kay, as Kyle beat him to most headers and he was turned for the winner. Played some nice passes though. 6
Robbie Williams: Another beacon of light to stand out in the gloom. MUST get an extended run in the side, anything to keep Heckingbottom out. 7
Martin Devaney: Shirked out of so many 50-50 balls it was embarrassing, failed to beat his man all afternoon. Subbed. 5
Sam Togwell: Covered every blade of grass three times over but often resembled a headless chicken as he tried to keep the midfield together. Needed help. 6
Brian Howard. Laughably given the Man of the Match award, he was outpaced and outmuscled the entire game. 5
Michael McIndoe: Became a different player when he put on a long sleeve top in the second half. An isolated figure in the first half but worked tirelessly in the second 45. His corners were woeful however. 7
Marc Richards: Had probably Barnsley's best 2 chances of the first half but looked lost. Subbed. 5
Paul Hayes: Can only be described as a disgusting performance. Didn't try and just didn't look interested. Practically walked around until he was withdrawn. Subbed. 1
Substitutes:
Daniel Nardiello (for Hayes 63) So very nearly grabbed a point at the death, deserves a start now. 6
Colin Healy (for Devaney 73) Andy Ritchie has claimed he wont sign players that aren't any better than what he already has, what about this fella then?!?!? 5
Tommy Wright (For Richards 82) Usual headless chicken routine. 5
Unused Substitutes:
Neil Austin, Paul Heckingbottom
Sponsors Man of The Match: Brian Howard
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Hearing Howard's name called out probably raised the biggest chuckle of the afternoon, Hassell and Williams deserved it far far more and because Hassell is immense every week Ill let Williams have my vote this week.
Most Impressed By Coventry's: Kevin Kyle. Got a bit of stick during his time at Sunderland but he won everything in the air today! Leon McKenzie also looked sharp.
Ref Watch: Mark Halsey (Lancashire): I thought we had finally been given a decent ref until the farcical offside decision, when Richards was flagged for offside, the ref waved play on so Richards stuck it in the net and then Halsey blew and gave the free-kick. Unbelievable!!! 4
Coca Cola Championship Results Saturday 28th October 2006
Barnsley 0-1 Coventry
Birmingham 2-0 West Brom
Cardiff 2-2 Derby
Colchester 2-0 Southampton
Crystal Palace 0-1 Plymouth
Hull 0-1 Sunderland
Leeds 2-0 Southend
QPR 1-1 Leicester
Stoke 5-0 Norwich
Wolves 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Friday 27th October 2006
Burnley 3-2 Preston
Barnsley lie in 22nd place in the Championship with 12 points from 14 games. We are 12 points off the Play-Offs, 14 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 18 points off First Place and in the Relegation Zone by a point
Next Up:
On the road:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Fifteen Barnsley v Derby County Wednesday 1st November 2006
Tickets for the game are priced at:
Adults: £24.00
OAPs (over 60): £12.00
Juveniles: £8.00
Barnsley have received an initial allocation of 1,200 tickets for the game at Pride Park.
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Derby. Coach tickets are also on sale, priced at £10.00 and coaches will depart Oakwell at 5.00pm on the day of the game.
At Oakwell:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Sixteen: Barnsley v Leeds United Saturday 4th November 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.