Big day today. Televised game. 130 Anniversary and a parade of former Oakwell 'greats'. Anticipation levels very high following the takeover news this week. A lot of distractions! Hopefully Hecky will tell the players to keep their heads on the game and do what they've been doing. But it won't be the end of the world if we lose to a talented Villa side desperate to get on a run. Just saying!
Play our own game and we'll be fine, the cynic in me thinks young players on a big day with lots going off in front of the Sky cameras will have a negative effect on the play but I'm confident Hecky will have them well drilled.
I remember a couple of years ago, we played Bury on a Sunday afternoon. In the build up, we'd just cover come Fleetwood to get to the JPT final, Lee Johnson had left and we were in the middle of our best run of form for 70 odd years or something. I predicted a struggle in the next game, considering we'd only had 2 days rest to Bury's 8. We won 3-0.
I don't think the players will be affected by the takeover in any way as it does not/should not affect them. They have after all, the security of a contract.
The only distractions the players might have is Tuesdays game at Wembley, but I trust Hecky to have that sorted.
I've got a bad feeling about this one. With their squad, Villa can't be as rubbish as their position suggests. If they click, I reckon we'll lose 3-0, and they've got to click sometime. Just hope it's not today.
Not saying we won't lose today, but big occasions? Leeds at home last season Play-off final JPT Final Etc.
I'm speaking more across the broader spectrum. Rather than a narrow period of time. Playing well, attracting a big crowd then an anti climatic defeat was ever the Barnsley way.
I have a bad feeling but it's because it's so 'Barnsley' to do such a thing. Villa haven't really clicked since they've been relegated and there's no reason why we should change that for them tonight. Going for a 1-1 draw, purely because we've got more heart and they've got more quality.
There's a reason Villa are underperforming, Bruce. Any manager would love to inherit the squad he has, he clearly hasn't got a clue, and as long as our players put 110% in then we stand a very good chance. That's me being optimistic, so we are now likely to lose. So I say 1-5 Villa
Yes. I had a banana skin feeling about this game. But it's still not the end of the world! Roll on Tuesday!
