Positives: Reid, having been given the runaround by Huddersfield came back stronger than ever. A very makeshift back four played very well and kept another clean sheet Wright looks a good player. Kell made the bench again, which must indicate some progress towards match fitness. Chesterfield really were ****. Negatives: Shuker had a shocker Devaney took a knock Burns gave the ball and/or a free kick away every time he went near the ball Wroe didn't go near the ball, or any opposing player who had it. All in all, that left us using a 4-0-2 formation for much of the game and particularly in the second half we were overrun. If this was a top-of-the-table clash the standard in this league must be even more abominable than even I'd imagined. Plus, some tit coming out of the ground was complaining that Wright missed 4 good chances and that it simply wasn't good enough. In fact, he got 2 good chances both of which came from his runs springing the offside trap - something I've not seen a Barnsley forward do as well since Fjortoft. The other 2 chances were difficult - a shot which he was always leaning back for which he put over and a header which he won well and powered in but it went 2 feet over the bar. Pace, stamina, aeriel threat, creative running, held the ball up - I just cannot fathom what some people were expecting from him because for me he had the lot. MoM then? Not quite. Reid shaded it over Wright for me. It is a terrible pity about Devaney - we had to put Howard on for him as he has played down the left before. Unfortunately this meant that to replace Wroe with Kell would have meant using our last sub with 30 mins to play. I can only assume Ritchie felt it was not worth the risk, in case Kell pulled up and left us down to 10 men. Although the way Wroe played, it wouldn't have been too much of a difference. Anyway - makeshift team played presentably and came away with a point. Could and maybe should have had all 3 but I'll take more plus points away from the game than minuses. Bring on the Saddlers and the 4th round of the cup come Saturday teatime.
At last a man who understands what a forward should be good at!! Revvie which strikers would YOU pair together?
On that showing Wright and Hayes. I think we are in a very good position with Nardiello and Richards as back up. Both are decent players, and whilst I am unconvinced of Nardiello's fitness for a long run in the team, to have him keeping the pressure on and provide competition for places is certainly a luxurious position. Also, I think a striker on the bench will be an essential in the coming weeks because you can't put the running in like Wright did for 90 mins week in week out. Too much to ask at his age and to be able to rest him, with players of Nads and Richards's quality in reserve, gives cause for some optimism.
