Matchday megathread, Barnsley v Crawley Town

100 percent home record in 2025 still in tact

 

That is good lol.

 

Yeah very acceptable that was lol.
This game had the danger of being the proverbial banana skin of course. Because of the poor opposition, and maybe us raising our expectations a bit more again now.
But we've seen them off nicely, with an improved goal difference as well.

 

Oh he might be academic but he has no footballing intelligence.

He was literally getting a warning for dicking around with their centre back and carried on in front of the ref’s face getting himself booked.

In injury time at 3-0 up.

Absolutely brain dead. If we can find anyone daft enough to take him off the wage bill this month, I’m guessing back in Scotland, it’ll be a minor miracle.

 

Chuffed with result today and what a great performance. Didn't notice Connell wasn't playing we look better going forward with Nwakali and Russell with Earl bringing it out of defence. Up there with Rotherham game for coherence of performance.

 

Not for me.

It’s just a bit dreary as well, suppose it doesn’t help them using the John Denver original.

It’s hardly a tub-thumping crowd stirrer.

I don’t mind them trying something different but this seems to be falling flat on its backside, any singing it generates after it cuts out is quiet and peters out quickly.

We’ll see if they persist with it. Not sure there’s a need for anything to be honest; hey Jude worked better but is used by a lot of clubs.

 

Not had chance to read the thread yet, so I apologise if I’m repeating obvious things that have already been discussed!

As predicted, Crawley came to have a go and Crawley were blown away. That’s the problem for them. They are well capable of scoring goals but their defending is suicidal to say the least.
We got the press spot on once the game settled down and ought to really have held a better cushion than the one-goal lead going into the break.

Another well-crafted goal too. Winning the ball high up, recycled and then a lovely sequence involving Nwakali’s inch-perfect ball that O’Keeffe used perfectly to pick out big Jon who didn’t replicate his moment at Bolton, thankfully.
I felt Watters - whilst playing well again - looked too eager to score on occasion, snatching once or twice.

We absolutely throttled them in the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Stepped right on them and looked likely to score with every attacking move. A delight to see. Unless you are associated with Crawley.
Max’s finish was as bad as his other attempts but got lucky, which makes a change. He deserves a goal for the graft he puts in and the torrid time he gives defenders. Always said he needs to be played in this fashion. Let him run channels, play on the shoulder. Killed him last year expecting him to hold it up and link play all the time.
Shout out to Phillips for his latest goal contribution. He worked that moment with complete composure. How people don’t rate him as high as I do, is a mystery. Enjoy him while he’s here.

The third goal pleased me the most though. The graft from Don and Jon to get hold of possession high up, then to see DKD give the clearest example yet that he’s definitely settled in his role now. To take that on, weaker foot, simply lovely.

O’Keeffe man of the match I can’t disagree with, but for 65 minutes I couldn’t find fault with any of them. Effort, desire, quality. It was all there.
Just a shame that the last 25 minutes or so were as poor as they were. Yes, Crawley threw men forward. Yes, we’d made a handful of subs. But it was pretty dire stuff. And I hate to criticise players too much, but I would rather we use an academy striker than the one who came on wearing 9. Ability and attitude isn’t there. It was actually sad watching that.

Four wins from four, after getting done 4-0 at home. It’s a heck of a turnaround and once again, couldn’t be prouder of those involved who’ve put the hard yards in to achieve it.

Up the Tykes x

 

Oh he's an absolutely terrible footballer. Really wanted him to do well for us, but he's done absolutely nothing to suggest he'll come good (apart from the playoffs, which is now looking like flash in the pan). Poor goalscoring record, does very little else during the game which can justify his inclusion in spite of the lack of goals. The sooner we're rid of him, the better. Regis-esque.

 

I've had to follow from afar over the festive fixtures but wow, 4 wins in a row!!

Great to read the good feeling on this thread and elsewhere on the board tonight and some positive comments on players who normally get a bit of stick. There's a reason anyone with us isn't higher up the leagues but if they get it right, a few are showing they have the potential to be playing in the Championship, ideally with us.

I've still not seen Nwakali in the flesh so am very excited to do so having read the rave reviews on here. It always makes a difference if there's someone worth paying the ticket price to see in a red shirt.

Well done Barnsley and Up the Reds!!

 

Win, 3points, clean sheet, up to fifth and we had a great day, keep the faith C,O,Y,R.

 

Kilip - made some great saves again.
O'Keefe - assist and MOM for me, much improved.
DKD - 4 in 4. Keep it up dude!

Clarke - maybe things are starting to click for him and the team? Add a decent striker to interchange with Watters and we could well have a good shot at play offs.

 

I’m not seeing much praise of Pines tonight when I think he deserves some.

Did a really good job on their big lad. I think Pines nullifying him was part of the reason they overplayed so much in their own half as nothing was sticking when they went long.

The only time I noticed him struggle was right before he got subbed off but it would have taken some finish to beat the keeper from there.

The other day after the Wrexham game there were lots of posts suggesting that we got significantly worse when he came on but interestingly no one seems to mention that we were far worse without him today than we were with him.

It’s almost like it’s hard to make changes to your defence mid-game.

 

Just like to expand on this a little bit. Many will know of my situation from recent previous postings. Yesterday Susan was transferred from an ordinary hospital to a secure one under Section 2 of the Mental Health act. She will remain under Section 2 for a maximum of 28 days when she'll be re-assessed and either go to Section 3 or a care home.
I had to take more clothes etc in as she's already been in hospital for 2 weeks.
It's the first time I've seen her for 2 weeks and when I did it was a shock how she'd declined again health wise. She hugged me when I got there but not too sure if she was fully aware who I was
We chatted in the lounge where there were 5 or 6 other patients there including 1 elderly woman who seemed to want to slap other patients.
All was OK until Susan my partner wanted to go to the loo then all hell broke loose with her shouting at the nurse to get off her as she tried to calm her down in the toilet. Another nurse then had to go in and help her and when Susan calmed down she sat in the lounge next to me and then started quietly sobbing. She knows something is wrong but can't compute what it is in her brain
We talked for a few minutes more but then she started drinking her tea and eating a biscuit and totally blanked me as if I wasn't there which is when I thought it best to leave
Where she is now is 4 junctions along the M25 but luckily it was behaving today
Got back in the car, composed myself for a few minutes then set off. Put Talksport on just as Adrian Durham said Barnsley have gone 3-0 up against Crawley ehich is where the thank you Barnsley x4 comes in as it's been a crappy festive season and Barnsley winning has helped more than the club will ever know
Typing this at 12.40 am as struggling to sleep and needed to get it off my chest
Have a great Sunday all, stay safe and thank you for reading my long post

 

I don't think he is mate.

 

Maybe I'm confusing him with Conor McCarthy? In that case he's in the process of completing his degree right now. I hope he's better at adding up than he is at kicking a football, otherwise his accountancy career won't be going very far.

 

What for mate?

 

Not too fussed about country roads, I was more annoyed that they'd pissed about with time rider and played a **** remix of it. Get the proper one back

 

It’s some illness isn’t it. Could weep when I read your message. We did the exact same with my dad, he was detained/retrained at Rotherham then saw out the remainder of his days in a local care home. I had (have still!) guilt, total knowledge he’d never let this happen to me. Anger, depression, pathetic hopelessness. Then a couple of times over the years Dad would reappear, one of us would visit ( not me ever) but mum and one of my siblings and he’d say “where’s my watch and wallet “ and they’d take him out for a fantastic day of normality. Hope, it’s a real kicker. Anyway, replying to your post because you need to know others have been where you are and understand your pain. Take care of yourself and those around you. This illness puts stress in families and takes a lot of love to come through it. Up the reds.

 

Egham, I have no personal knowledge of this condition but I couldn’t scroll past without replying. I wish you strength as you travel along this road with Susan and I hope you have someone to support you, if not in real life then you certainly will on here. All the best.