A minority opinion

The team was good and bad in almost equal measure. Danny sprang a surprise by covering Williams, with Kane Hemmings. I spent most of the warm up wondering how the lump that is Hemmings was going to cover for the workaholic Williams at the tip of the midfield diamond. As it turned out, Danny turned the system into 4-3-3, so Hemmings was excused all the hard work when the team was out of possession and was allowed to take up the room that would have been better used by Winnall and Cole when in possession. When Colchester broke quickly, we always looked like we would struggle, but that was not why they scored twice. They scored twice because there was no pressure on the passer at the edge of our box, because most of the time, we were one midfield player short there.

However, the lack of adequate midfield cover was illustrated by the substitutions. Changing Hemmings for Jennings was the obvious one that I had predicted at half time, but as well as his obvious physical problems, Jennings has totally lost confidence in his ability. He had a tired full back in front of him, and loads of space behind the full back to run into, but Jennings did not have the confidence to attack. Instead, he became a second full back and the team simply became negative, opting to hang on for a nervous victory.

I expressed my dissatisfaction about our slow build up after the 5-0 cup victory. Without the pace of Williams to create space, it was even more noticeable tonight. I expressed my dissatisfaction with the passing ability of Ramage in that game also and those comments were double underlined by Ramage’s distribution, mostly into Row Z tonight. There was space out wide behind the full backs last Saturday for any player capable of beating his man, and that was just as true tonight. But aside from the penalty won by Cole, we turned our backs on all of that space, preferring to relentlessly attack down the centre of the pitch. Because there is no room here, the second option, the one of retaining possession is the one most frequently taken. It is sterile. I did not enjoy the 5-0 win and I did not enjoy this 3-2 win. In my opinion, the game of football is based upon a balance of risking the loss of possession in order to create a scoring opportunity. Every ball sport works on this principle and in football, the principle is better illustrated than in most sports. If ball retention becomes more important than creating a chance to score, then in my opinion, the game becomes sterile. As I have said before, I hated the way Spain and Barcellona played the game for exactly this reason. We score goals in spite of the system of play and not because of it…. And we still concede, and look ready to concede almost at any moment. We do not have players who are good enough passers, or indeed have the endurance to play this way. Danny has not yet resolved our problems and I am not sure that he is looking in the right places.

Statistically, we had more ball than Colchester, but they had double the number of shots on target, which suggests they did far more with their share than we did. I was certainly impressed by their speed on the break and the way they ran at us with pace. By the end, their midfield was the fresher, with both Hourihane and Berry gasping for oxygen. It is all right trying to play the possession game, but if there is not the endurance in midfield, it is the wrong game.
Winnall looks like he might be a real treasure, but the system is asking him to do things that he is not comfortable with. He tired himself out tonight with the constant running that he is required to do and was less effective as the game wore on. It is scary how much better he could be with the right type of support around him. Cole was missing for much of the game. His primary asset is pace and he loses his effectiveness if he has to work in pockets rather than in the wide open spaces. Berry had his least effective game for the club and in spite of his effectiveness on the ball, Hourihane displayed the same fallibilities as Butterfield did without it.

Last but not least, there is our goalkeeper. Turnbull was not at fault for either of their goals, but he did spill three long distance ground shots. That was not the problem. The problem was that in spilling them he ended on his back and it took him an age to recover. This is a core strength issue and I worry that it may show that he has not recovered fully from his long term injury in the summer.

For those who think that I am being over critical after two good home victories, I thought that the draw against Bristol City was a breath of fresh air. A return to old time entertainment and old time values. I am disappointed that we do not seem to have built upon that success.

 

What a terrible report on the game. Miles off.

 

There's always one. Yes we did slip a little from previous displays but what we had last was 2 third division teams giving it a real good go. Yes Colchester played for a lot of the time with 10 men behind the ball (a tribute to us ?) but when they broke they were like lightening. All in all I personally really enjoyed last night and long may it continue getting better and better.

 

Couldn't agree less, but of course you're entitled to your opinion

 

Start drinking before games, tha'll wittle less

 

So we've won three games on the bounce, yet you're disappointed that we didn't build on the success of the draw just before them?

I've just got round to watching the Burton game on Player and I can't see where you're coming from at all. Where you see and decry slow build up I'm seeing a more intelligent Barnsley side than I think I've ever seen - keeping possession patiently just inside our own half but always watching and waiting for the perfect pass forward to appear. When it does, we get forward with speed and look like a real threat. There have been games this season where we've looked like we needed another option, and I'm sure there will be again, but at the moment the only issue I have is with momentary lapses in concentration (rather than lack of skill) which cost us the goals that we concede.

It's fair enough to call a team out for "relentlessly" attacking down the middle when we can't seem to buy a goal, and christ knows we've seen enough of that from Barnsley over the last few years. But we've just seen a team score eight goals in two matches. Winnall has scored four of those, yet you seem to be under the impression that the system is holding him back! It might not be the kind of football you'd like to watch, and you may prefer a more direct style of football, but you can't deny that our attacking football is effective. I'm not sure Danny should be looking to change an undeniably and comprehensively winning formula just because you think it's "sterile".

 

Has somebody logged into your computer?.This isn't the Red rain I enjoyed reading and respected.

 

I was of course happy with the win last night but left the ground a little unconvinced by the performance if I'm honest. A better team would have beaten us easily. Our attacking play at times is great but defensively as a team we're poor in equal measure. We're lacking a proper defensive midfielder. Very happy with our current form though and we've got some very winnable games coming up.

 

Mate, we won. That's a good three points. If you're striving to see the 'perfect' Barnsley performance, week in, week out, then I fear you'll be disappointed. You support Barnsley. Bit of a clue.

We've won our last three games, scored nine goals and conceded just two. We've collected seven points from the last nine available, with two of those games against the other two 'biggish' sides in our division.

One of our new laikers from League Two has eight goals in eight games, nine in total. The other new lad from League Two has ten goals already and ten direct assists. But aye, like Butterfield he dunt play like Dawson/Perkins.

Ramage has never been known for his passing range. He's there to win headers, get stuck in, to use his experience. I thought last season (and under Keith Hill) we were lacking in a centre half who did all that and put the ball int stands when needed. Fact we've got one in League One is terrifying. We also seem to have found Cranie's position. Last handful of games at right back he's been exemplary. But we could always put him back in the centre so we've a 'ball playing' centre half who dunt get stuck in or win enough in the air...


The only things I really agree with you about are the troubles with Turnbull's back - he's admitted himself that it's not fully reight. Jennings indeed looks to have lost his ability (or faith in using it). And yep, we missed the energy and movement of Williams.



You know what I reckon? This last few weeks we've not been at our best often enough. Yet we're picking up positive results. That's summat to be happy about, optimistic even. But 'ere, we're all entitled to an opinion and the fact you know yours is held only by a minority says enough in itself. But I do enjoy your musings, whether I agree or not with em.


You Reds.

 

Winning, when you're not quite on top of your game, is a super habit.

 

I noticed you compared our style to Spain's... A team that for 4 years was almost unbeatable.

Also I don't go to games because of uni but i'm looking for results not performances now. Both would be great but I already know this team has tons of ability, getting points on the board has to be the priority now

 

Whilst your analysis is way too technical for my limited football understanding, please do not be put off from posting your own views and observations, especially by the partisans.

 

He should always post feelings and views. They are always interesting

 

Neither should he be put off reading/posting on the forum by the trolls.

 

I understand where you're coming from with regard to some of our slow buildup, I thought we looked great when attacking with pace at the start but once Colchester equalised we slowed it down a lot, and at times we didn't close certain players down quick enough.

Your post though, seeing as it's come after 3 wins on the spin, smacks of nitpicking. Concentrating on the negatives rather than seeing that we've a striker with 8 in 8, a midfielder with 10 goals and 10 assists, and others who are improving game by game a la Cranie, Dudgeon etc.

If you truly didn't enjoy seeing us stick 5 past one of the better teams in League 2, and then beat a decent Colchester team 3-2, then you're in for a very disappointing season. I can't imagine what you were like last season watching us at Oakwell.

 

although I totally disagree with the post from Red rain at least he's not shy with his opinion even though he knew most people wouldn't agree.

ball retention and using the ball is key, its the principal of football keep the ball, while we have the ball they can't get it, use the ball and build to a goal.

I think you have totally missed the point of the way we have played in the last two games, we have come up against teams that have put banks of four and five in front of us to stifle us, to get through this we have kept the ball, passed the ball and dragged them out of position and patiently built our play to attack. when we attack and get forward some of the link up play is excellent and flamboyant. this method has achieved two back to back wins scoring eight goals and conceding two.

last year we couldn't string two passes together and just lumped the ball forward, Danny had inherited a squad that couldn't play football, couldn't hold the ball or break down teams which left us adopting a direct approach which we still weren't good enough to gain results from. to me this season is a breath of fresh air watching a team develop, play passing football, score goals and win matches.

in 1994 Danny Wilson made some brave choices and decisions and started moulding a team that entertained us, made us proud and took us to heights we will most likely never see again, I think he's starting to mould a team again and we are witnessing the early days of that adventure.

for me we are doing everything I wanted us to do after a shocking season last year, from a long ball bunch of no hopers that losing was ingrained in to them we are now developing a young passing team that's hungry for success and goals that for me reflects everything as a reds fan I want : hard work, graft, good football, team work and passion.

 

The title probably says it all.

I respect the opinion here even if I don't agree with it at all.

I'm please we are playing controlled football, keeping the ball and seeing our patience lead to quality chances.

The key for me is progression. I stated early season that at that stage we hadn't seen any progress from the team. Another 8 games later and we can now clearly see it. Players have gelled, the player stepping up a league or two have done so, we are controlling play, keeping more clean sheets, scoring goals around the 12yard area rather than relying upon Connor's 25 yarders. Chances we create are more quality than quantity. I thought Hemmings played his part well given we changed formation and his first start for a while. Also the fans, while not on top form last couple of games, are with the team and the team are with the fans. We all feel we are in this together......well maybe for the odd minority.

 

If I were looking to characterize the BBS it would be a manic depressive. It is a place that reacts to the latest result with either manic over-optimism (after a win) or manic depression (after a defeat). We are either a team that come April, will be pushing for promotion or struggling to stay up. I like to think that I have a reason based, analytical instinct for the game that means that my sense of reason still works even when it may be clouded by emotion in others. I never call for a manager to be sacked, and always seek to find reasons for the good as well as for the bad. Unfortunately, it is this calmness which constantly places me at odds with the majority view, hence the title of my original posting. My postings constantly try to even out the trend. We never as bad as some would suggest, and also never as good.

Your post is critical of what I have written in its tone because I have tended to ignore the end result, but is in broad agreement with what I have written in its detail. I would be more able to comment upon your criticisms, and this applies to all those who have told me that my comments are wrong, if there was some stated reasoning behind the criticisms. But in the main, I am held to be wrong for no specific reason, just opinion. I find it very hard to respond where there is no specific reasoning for an opinion. It is the justification for the holding of a particular opinion that allows the reasoning to be tested by debate and which becomes more than 'we won therefore I am right and you are wrong'. We are all looking for the club to improve, and to become capable of winning, and holding a position in the Championship. I think that there is a long way to go before that is the case, and my criticisms after victories will continue to point out why I think that is the case. I always try to justify my opinions though, and I always try to provide a reasoned thought process so that other may test the logic of my opinions.

In my opinion, the case for retention of possession is not made. I remember Barcellona having 89% of possession against Celtic a few years ago, and losing 1-0 because they were unable to create any chances against a deep and set defensive unit. But Barcellona and Spain were able to win things with this system because they had the right players. And this another theme of my past ramblings. The system used by a team must relate to the strengths and weaknesses of the players. To be successful, the ball retention style of play must have players at the back, and particularly at full back who are comfortable with the ball at their feet. Nevertheless, unless the centre backs are also decent passers, the opposition will simply mark both full backs, deliberately allowing the central defenders to have the ball, knowing they have a good chance of winning the ball back when the centre back passes. That is exactly what has happened in the last 2 games. We have won both games, but if we wish to make progress, we will need to win games against better opposition who will use the same tactics against use. In Iniesta and Xavi, Spain had two players who could not only pass the ball, but who could also run the legs off their opponent. Where are our Iniesta and Xavi, the players with leather lungs, because last night with 15 minutes to go I saw Hourihane with his hand to his side because he was physically wasted by the effort. For me there is no argument that the Colchester goals came from a lack of numbers in midfield, and because of that and tiredness, there was an inability to pressure the passer at the edge of our box. That conclusion argues for 5 players in midfield rather than the 3 that we had. It is an argument that I win because by substituting Hemmings and Winnall, that is exactly what we did. The problem is that neither substitution had a positive effect and that points to another problem. Whilst our first 11 can hold its own, we are very weak below them and Danny has few options to change the game. We do not have a target man so that immediately excludes a whole series of permutations, and we are stuck with 4-4-2 or the diamond. If you think otherwise, I am quite willing to debate the point with you, but last nights attempt at 4-3-3 utilising 3 forwards just did not work.

 

i read the first paragraph then stopped. there is a vocal MINORITY who act like that. It is unfair and plain wrong to caste the majority of fair thinkers in that light.