The result was a bitter disappointment in such an important game, but the second half suggests all is not quite lost. The big difference for me was that even in his first half setup, Jose was more positive in his aims than Hecky had become. I understand Hecky's position, which was intended to be more protective of leaking goals with what is basically a substandard squad. The 4-5-1 brought us the best results, and offered that protection to the defence. But one win in Hecky's last fifteen or so games strongly suggests it was failing us. Jose's looked like it was intended to be a more positive approach. He appeared to have set the side up in the first half to use quick, pass and move stuff in order to take the initiative. The players simply weren't up to it. The only accurate quick passing was across the back four, which was eerily relevant of Big Keef's reign. The encouraging thing was the changes at half time and into the second half. Too often Hecky's tactical changes were too little, too late, or had the opposite effect to that intended. Jose's, while to some extent surrendering to a style of football he probably wouldn't ultimately prefer, did produce more attacking endeavour, raised the crowd, and only just fell short of rescuing the game. The performances of Thiam and Potts when they came on were a great relief to all of us who witnessed that woeful U-23's display against Everton. Keiffer offered some presence, and promised to provide scraps to feed on. He isn't subtle, but that can be left to McBurnie and others. I don't personally feel that Joe Williams should be criticised for attempting some of the more adventurous passes that didn't come off. He is at least trying to be creative, and the lad is here to learn. He's as good as we've got in that position in my view, although I know others disagree (which is fine). Again, in my opinion, there are some uncomfortable truths that we must confront. Hammill, Isgrove and Bradshaw are not (or no longer) up to Championship class. Are out and out wingers truly relevant in today's game? I feel more than that is needed from midfielders these days. And poor old Tom. He has toiled with great credit this season, being Hecky's go-to option up front. But last night demonstrated even more acutely that he doesn't have the pace, the height or the physicality to play the role he is assigned. More craft is required. I wouldn't personally persevere with him even if we drop to League One next season, because I don't think he will get much better. For Saturday and beyond, the players need to realise (and I am sure they will be told) that we need that second half level of energy for longer periods of the game. I'd personally start with McBurnie and Keiffer, with Thiam to come on and join them if required. Potts too surely has to start after last night. I personally would also persevere with Joe Williams, although I know others wouldn't. I still don't quite know what to make of Gardner, so I'll have to leave that one with Jose. I thought that overall the defence didn't do too much wrong, and I thought Yiadom and Pinillos looked as up as anyone on the side for the type of game that Jose was aiming for. Whoever plays in midfield will have to have the concentration and workrate to prevent loose players in midfield getting into the positions that ultimately cost us the two goals. So, to sum up. At half time, the gates of despair were wide open and we were invitingly being beckoned through. By full time, although we only achieved heroic failure there did at least appear to be something to work on, and a manager who demonstrated some flexibility in the situation in which we found ourselves. The next two games are crucial - as was last night's. But there is a path ahead waiting to be trodden. Vamos, vermelhos!
We clearly lack quality. The effort we showed in the last 30 minutes was a sign of hope & we certainly deserved a point out of the game. We started the game way too negatively in the first half. Williams & Gardner are not a midfield two in a must win home game. It was only when we went 4-2-4 & then 4-3-3 with the introduction of Thiam & Potts that we created anything. You can't blame the manager, who has only had a few days on the training ground. He went to the Wednesday match by all accounts, that was a better performance & probably thought he'd start with the same set up. I'd be surprised if we do the same versus Birmingham.
The set up from the beginning was wrong and Burton, to their credit, were well up for our formation. There was precious little joy down the flanks for Barnsley due to Burton's use of their midfield dropping back. A change should have happened earlier, not half-time as clearly Barnsley were awful and were not improving as the first half went on. By the time of the second half the game was just about over. Credit to Barnsley for having a go but overall Burton deserved the three points. A good team would, in the second half, have exploited Barnsley's gung-ho attitude and the scoreline would have been worse
Agree. Perhaps changes should have been made after 30 mins. It was clear that the setup was not working.
A good point. They (almost) had what they needed and on balance they were probably confident that we would struggle to break them down
Showing some fight in the second half counts for nothing in my opinion - its easy to "show some pride" after being humiliated for 45 minutes. I see no hope in the second half performance until we start a game like that.
It's also easier to show when the opposition are 2-0 up, know you're ***** and that they can afford to sit back.
Agreed Burton played a very different game in the second half, we might have dominated but Burton gave us the ball and said "come on then", not what they did in the first half and I doubt its how Brummy's will play on Saturday either.