So many positives from today. The way they started quite well but we held strong. The way we generally controlled the midfield. The balls in that our wingbacks put in (5 assists for our wing backs today by my reckoning?). The passion in each celebration from Collins on the touchline. The 2 saves and distribution from Roberts. The passing of Shepherd when he came on. The runs in behind from our strikers. The touch and finish on his weaker foot from Kitching! I may have to stop here otherwise I’ll be another hour typing. Great opening day and loving the positivity now. Let’s give some minutes to Chapman, Shepherd, Shaw, Dallas, Winfield, etc on Tuesday before we go and smash Joey Barton next Saturday.
I thought we struggled to know what to do and were second best for the first half hour. Our first goal came from a mistake by one of their blokes playing it out, and O'Keefe did a great job in taking advantage. Our second goal was as soft as they come, with one of their players gifting us a goal unnecessarily. After that we were confident and able to take advantage of a team that basically disintegrated. And we were superb at finishing our chances with the space we then had. It would be wrong to think we whooped them from the start. It might have been a different story had Port Vale got a bit of luck early doors. This result does not mean we're gonna cream this league, and should not be an excuse to score points against fellow supporters who all want the same thing at the end of the day.
btw the big positive for me was that Cole moved into all the right places to receive balls that he cries out for, and he got them. And finished like a good un.
Don't think anyone thought we whooped them from the start - we looked very unsure that first 25-30 minutes. They looked decent but I don't think I've seen a team fall apart so quickly. Not taking anything away from us though - some real positives
Another good thing in my opinion is i actually think port Vale will do well this season, I reckon they'll be on for a top 12 finish, or not far off
The big positive for me is that my worries have been a little diminished. Like everyone else I want Barnsley to do well but recent events have deflated me. I'm partly re-inflated now. Lets get things in perspective after a few weeks though.
Yeah he was kicking every ball at 6-0 and went absolutely mental with the fourth official over a Port Vale tackle on Jordan Williams.
It's also worth noting that we have quite a number of players becoming available for selection in the coming days, weeks & months.
And if Collins is worth his salt the fact of having a competitive game under the belt will be good for analysis / progress one would hope.