A (sort of) neutral report on the game today..

http://fromtwelveyards.com/barnsley-make-it-6-in-a-row-at-oldham/

 

Absolutely spot on that.

But for some wayward Oldham finishing and a handful of good saves from Davies, we'd have got nowt from the game. We can't be that lucky every week - lads need to be right on it against Preston on Saturday.

 

We probably can.

In our 3 home games in October we had 46 efforts at goal, 18 on target. We didn't do bad, we scored 7 goals. The opposition had 6 efforts on target in that time and every single one went in. When Turnbull stopped a weak effort by Burton during our 5-0 demolition of them in the cup, we all cheered as it was the first save we'd seen him make for almost 2 months. We played Bradford, Notts County and Bristol City off the park but lost one and drew one of those games.

The two home games we've lost at home since then were a different kettle of fish, shocking games. Poor football by both sides. But between them, Scnuthorpe and Fleetwood spent a grand total of about 20 seconds in our final third. Just enough time to score their 4 goals. I'd be hard pressed to argue we deserved to win those games, but we didn't deserve to lose either, as bad as we were.

One of my favourite performances this season was Crewe in the cup. 20 efforts at goal, 9 on target, but a 2-0 loss due to two break away goals.

It's been an odd season at Oakwell. We've had to create 5 times as many chances as the opposition to score as many goals. That's not all down to bad luck, we played an injured keeper for far too long, who, the Doncaster game being the exception, conceded almost every half decent shot on target. A situation that wasn't helped by a good portion of the crowd being on Davies' back from match one, due to him making a couple of errors in pre-season. But I don't think we were getting the rub of the green either and if we're experiencing a bit of good fortune now, then I think it's long overdue.

I haven't seen much difference between the way we've performed since Johnson took over and what we were doing under Wilson. Hardly surprising, he's not been here long. I enjoyed the last half hour against Walsall when Winnall came on, but other than that it's been the same plan - keep it tight and score from set pieces. All three goals yesterday came from set pieces.

Ramage was co-commentating on Radio Sheffield yesterday and he was asked what differences there'd been in training since Johnson has taken over. He struggled for an answer. He was complimentary of Johnson, saying he employed modern techniques, but he also stated that Wilson was doing that anyway and very little had changed.

One thing has changed. We're winning the games our performances deserve which didn't always happen under Wilson and, if your account of the Oldham game is right, we're also getting points when perhaps we didn't deserve it, which never happened. I'll take that. Johnson seems like a decent fella, he speaks well, he's calm and assured and he'll be a very good ambassador for our football club. We'll get a better idea of what kind of manager he is next season when he brings some of his own players in and has the summer to work on tactics, but if he's also got that bit of luck which all successful managers enjoy (that Wilson had in spades the first time round, but deserted him entirely during his latest tenure) then brilliant.

 

Yes a very good report that. We had two uncomfortable periods, one in each half, but our third knocked the stuffing out of them.

Interesting to hear about the half way line antics as well. Could not really see any of that from the far corner

 

Of course teams are going to have chances... That's why you have a keeper? He has to make saves that's his job!

 

The things I have seen different mainly are that firstly we don't settle and try to hold on to the 1 goal leads. We will continue to attack and even put strikers on late in the game. I believe he feels goals win games. Secondly I think he is playing square pegs in square holes. We have seen Hourihane back in form since he moved back to the middle, and players playing better shape I.e. Not 4 centre halves. We now seem to have cover clearly identified cover for all positions Jabo for George, Smithy, Baily for Pearson etc. I think the fine tuning has made a difference i.e. Davies in goal and confidence has grown through results. Thirdly I do think there is more energy in the team. Whether this is with the addition of Scowen or fitness but we are playing with a better tempo and less slow balls laterally and backwards. Finally I think we can see some in game tactics and a clear game plan. I like the move of Winnal on and O' Sully moving from right to left. Seems to test the opposition late in the game, we see the corner and set pieces paying off and looking creative and Jabo as a late option for George looks good. Players are expressing themselves. I think LJ can claim a lot of credit for this as although some things have come through the existing coaching he has capitalised on it rather than just discard because it wasn't his idea ( I.e. Corners) and obviously confidence breeds confidence. Be interesting to see how he reacts chasing a game and coming from behind.