I thought that we played excellent in the first half and should have had at least 2 penalties and should have been about 3-0 up. Hayes and Shuker were excellent but should have done better with their chances. The second half was absolute garbage, we seemed naive and scared when they came at us and we didn't see to be able to handle it. As good a player as Austin is it is clearly obvious that he is no left back and Ritchie better sign one sharpish because the majority of Hartlepool's play came down our left flank. On the positive side i think my man of the match today was the excellent Brian Howard who showed signs of class today dispite the crap second half showing, i haven't seen a midfielder at Oakwell for years who can go round people, can run with the ball and isn't affraid of putting the boot in when it counts. I think that him and McPhail in the middle of the park will be brilliant togther because Burns was ***** in the second half today and was rightly substituted. To improve the side i think that Dean Gordon should be signed and played at left back, McPhail should go in the centre of midfield with Howard. Nardiello, when fit, should play up front with Hayes because despite been a good penalty taker Richards is very poor and adds nothing to the side!!
Richards Puts himself about, wins headers and holds the ball up well. Nardiello has been a massive disapointment this season.
RE: Richards The majority of people on here seem to think that Richards is *****. Anyway, Nardiello hasn't been given a proper run in the team because of injuries or whatever but when he is given a start he either contributes or scores a goal himself and he will go better with Hayes than Richards!!
RE: Richards Okay then, lets keep the existing team and see how far it gets. It was blatently obvious yesterday that as soon as Hartlepool attacked us we couldn't handle it and if we play like that for the rest of the season we can forget the play offs. Richards misses far too many chances and is nowhere near good enough for a higher level (should we manage to go up!!)
RE: Richards The table does not lie and I think we are quite rightly in a play off spot at this stage. If we continue to do what we have been doing this season we will in finish in the top six. We do however, need to sign another striker to cement a playoff place and we need more cover at the back. I think we have one of the best midfields in this division. I agree Richards is not good enough for The Championship, but we will worry about that when it happens.
RE: Richards Which chances did Richards miss yesterday then? please remind me. Richards is a strong, mobile, good in the air and chases lost causes. We dont need to rely on him to score lots of goals when we have Hayes, Shuker and Devaldo all contributing. Being a striker isnt about scoring a goal a game, although it would be nice. Its about being part of a team, making space for others by pulling defences about. Holding up the ball to play others in. All are things that Richards does well. I find it hard to believe that people can attend matches but learn nothing about the way a games played.
RE: Richards I can't remember any chances Richards missed yesterday either. He does a good job for the team. I don't think it is a conincidence that our long unbeaten run started when Richards started playing regularly. From some of the comments on here it is quite clear some people don't understand the game.
I agree - richards.... was next best player after Howard runs well holds it up puts it about you need that sort of player
Unfortunately for Richards his lost causes, seem to stem from his initial attempt to control the ball, and his 2nd touch is a tackle. He won a couple of headers in the 1st half , which meant that in the 2nd half we lumped all the time , and I dont think Richards held up one ball, as I think he lost out everytime. To me Richards is someone to bring off the bench if we are desperate, but as we are desperate coz we have few fit strikers he has to start the game. Oh and getting pointless bookings like he did doesnt help either.
You dint mention Carbon sat on his arse again !!! If this guy can get away with it he will sit it out and just pick his wages up Good player but injury (?) prone I think we need at least another central defender before we get an attacking player In saying that, we have the best 2 wingers in the league who are delivering good crosses. Problem is there is no one and the end of the crosses, and that includes Hayes.
Very harsh on the lad I dont think his touch is first touch is so bad. Id sooner have him in the team than on the bench.
RE: Was Howard still on the pitch in the 2nd Half?? I think so, but I didn't really see him much! Really good first half, but then went missing! I don't think he deserved MOTM because of that.
got to agree jonny boy i think that howard will be a steal,people might laff but i see a bit of premier quality in the boy!
RE: Richards why,s that then,nardiellos allways injured,lets judge when nardys 100% and had a run in the side!