Pathetic Performance, Relegation Looms!

A truly pathetic and uninspired performance saw Barnsley slip to their fifth defeat from the opening six games of the season and the natives turning on manager Simon Davey.

Not one of the 11 players in red on the pitch could really come out of the game with any credit, and it's been a long time since I've had to say that.

The score line might suggest a tight, tense battle just shaded by Cardiff. The reality was far different.

Cardiff were slicker and had far more imagination and if they had wanted to could have made the result a landslide win. Luckily for Barnsley, they didn't want to.

After Peter Whittingham had been given the freedom of Oakwell by Rob Kozluk on 14 minutes to curl the ball into the net, the Bluebirds, knowing their vast superiority, were quite content to stay in first gear and keep The Reds at arms length.

Young Cardiff keeper Tom Heaton - on loan from Manchester United- did not have a save to make. For a team playing at home that is simply not good enough.

Iain Hume was played out of position on the left wing, as was Diego Leon when he replaced him and Brian Howard looks about as interested in this club as he would at been asked to watch paint dry. How he remains in the team let alone as captain baffles the vast majority of supporters.

It was no real surprise when for the fourth time this season Barnsley went 1-0 down.

Paul Parry's long searching ball found Whittingham on the right hand side with Kozluk nowhere and he just took his time before curling an effort past Luke Steele into the far corner.

It could have been 2-0 15 minutes later when Whittingham's free-kick was headed against the post by Roger Johnson.

And that really was the match. Cardiff scored, had another go and then said to Barnsley, come on have a go. This utter shambles of a team simply couldn't.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce, on his first appearance of the season tried his best and caused Cardiff left-back Miguel Comminges some problems in the first half but Heaton will never have a more comfortable 90minutes in his career.

Hugo Colace, whilst effective in breaking things up in midfield couldn't beat the first man with four corners that he attempted, so why was he allowed to keep taking them?

It says it all about this disgusting performance that it took until the 78^th minute for any real effort of note to come from Barnsley when Howard's curler flew just wide of the near post. This though came after the first real mass attack against Davey.

With Jon Macken having another ineffectual game it seemed logical to bring him off for Leon and push Hume upfront with Odejayi but on 73 minutes, Davey incredibly took off Hume and replaced him with Leon. Cries of "You don't know what your doing" rang around the stadium.

With ten minutes to go Foster delivered a delicious cross but Odejayi sent his header inches past the far post.

Boos rang around the stadium at full -time, Davey headed straight for the tunnel. His P45 might be in his office before too long. This game was as bad as it gets!

Player Ratings:

Luke Steele: Had nothing to do but pick the ball out of the net. This was more to do with Cardiff happy to take a 1-0 win rather than Steele's defence being any good. 6

Rob Kozluk: From a great game at Blackpool to a terrible one three days later. Left Whittingham free to fire in the winner and struggled all the game. A right footer at left back is not what is required. Booked. 4

Dennis Souza: Got up well in the air but constantly found wanting for pace. McCormack gave him a torrid night. 5

Darren Moore: Again Barnsley's best central defender but it doesn't say much. Never loses a header but his ball control is abysmal. 5

Stephen Foster: Got forward whenever possible and his crossing was good but was kept occupied by Parry all night. 6

Iain Hume: Played on the wing and couldn't get into the game. The fans were crying out for him to be played upfront, instead he was taken off. Subbed. 5

Brian Howard ©: *Cut and Paste from Blackpool report* The sooner he is stripped of the captaincy the better. Enough said. Booked. 3

Hugo Colace: Broke up play well in midfield but his set-pieces were awful. Didn't beat the first man once. 6

Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Good to see him back and caused Cardiff a few problems with his pace in the first half. Faded after the break. Booked. 6

Jon Macken: Just doesn't look like scoring and last night looked like a Sunday League player. No heart or effort. 4

Kayode Odejayi: Got the start he deserved but didn't make the most of it. 5

Substitutes:

Diego Leon (for Hume 73) Injected some pace into the game but not really a winger. 6

Unused Substitutes:

Heinz Muller, Bobby Hassell, Mounir El Haimour, Miguel Mostto.

Sponsor's Man of the Match: Darren Moore.

BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: The Reading players: For beating Sheffield Wednesday 6-0 and at least giving us something to smile about.

Most Impressed by Cardiff's: Joe Ledley: Very skilful player. Not surprised there were £5m bids for him in the summer.

Ref Watch: Graham Laws: Poor, like the rest of them. Its time all referees retire! 4

Coca-Cola Championship Results Tuesday 16^th September 2008:

BARNSLEY 0-1 Cardiff

Barnsley lie in 23^rd place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 3 points from 6 games.

We are 7 points off the Play-Offs, 13 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 13 points off First place and 2 points inside the Relegation Zone.

Up to and including 16/9/08

Next Up:

On The Road:

Coca Cola Championship Matchday Seven: Southampton v Barnsley Saturday 20^th September 2008 Kick-Off 3pm:

Tickets:

Adults - £24.00
Senior Citizens - £18.00
Teens (17 to 19) - £18.00
Students (With Valid NUS) - £18.00
Juvenile (16 and Under) - £10.00
Special Deal - Adults with Junior Pair - £30.00

Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to St Mary's Stadium. Price: £25. The coaches leave Oakwell at 8am on the day of the game.

At Oakwell:

Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Eight: Barnsley v Norwich City Saturday 27th September 2008 Kick-Off 3pm.

Tickets:

East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00