From the sublime to the ridiculous..

Im still shell-shocked tbh, and struggling to recall the key events. I think my brain is trying its best to erase that 2nd half horror show bless it.
Since Hillcroft turned up with their lower league broken toys and unpolished diamonds, we have seen a dramatic improvement in the key areas of our team.
We have a team of grafters, who play for each other - for the team. They attempt to play attractive attacking football home and away.. its been refreshing to say the least.
And tonight, from the 2nd half whistle to the last, we were lacking in those key disciplines.
The desire, the commitment, the beautiful football, it had vanished without trace. I dont think I can recall a Barnsley team going from one extreme to the other, either side of the break... it was truly awful to witness such a capitulation.
So why did this unfold?
Well, here is my reasoning..
We play at such a tempo when playing towards the Ponty, and I reckon the lads were spent. We have also played a lot of games in quick succession, big, energy-sapping affairs with Leeds and particularly Peterbro. I also believe that Ipswich's bully-boy tactics didnt help. I certainly remember Drinkwater, Perkins and O'Brien getting smashed by Andrews and Bowyer. Maybe that had an adverse effect too, and coupled with tired legs, it cant have been helpful..
I also believe theres more to it, why we collapse like that. We certainly seem unable to deal with momentum. And thats where you need a leader, preferably in central midfield. That and/or a few bullies, a few spoilers. Perkins can be that type, but today he was trying to be everything and everywhere. I wont blame him for doing that, as the 'captain' was missing again. I am having to restrain myself ere with regards to Jacob. He went straight down the tunnel at full time, the 1st to leave. Says it all. A top player asks for, and wants the ball even when behind, today, too many hid away. How many times did Jacob just instantly kick it back, as if to say "I dont want it"
I rate the lad, he is a talent. But I would be amazed if he gets his dream move, on recent form anyway.
And the main reason I think we lost that game?
Ipswich Town.
They came out on a mission, and the likes of Scotland, Sonko, Chopra, Andrews and Bowyer, showed their ability, and married that with application and nous.
Yes, they were dirty bleeders, and the ref suddenly turned into a Willard. But we were crying out for an Andrews in that 2nd half.
And, they had a great portion of good fortune both with decisions and favourable bounces/deflections. Their fans would tell you they were due a bit of luck.
And boy were they clinical! I dont recall too many opportunities other than their goals. Wheras the misfit missed another sitter when he came on. Great tweet by @NilePowerRanger straight after the game too.. he's a c0ck.
.
So we lost a game, in embarrassing fashion. But we are still doing well.
A striker with 8 in 8!?
12 pts out of 15..
Just a blip, hopefully!
YOU REDS

 

absolute ******

so you are trying to tell me that the poor lambs were tired having played a few 90 minute games in the last week or so.... oh my giddy aunt. The lads I served with in the Falklands would absolutely fall about laughing at that statement. There are also people on here who put in shifts, and secondary jobs too that send themselves dizzy just to earn average wages..and you still tell me the boys were tired . sorry matey its a great big f u c k off from me on that one.. Jacob Golden Balls is holding us to ransom as to if he will stay ... and then he goes absent for a whole match...give me a break. We played the team with the worst defence in the league tonight and LOST...sorry fella that is totally and utterly not on. The current incumbents so obviously do not have that "eye of the tiger" and the "kiler instinct" and they also do not know what the word ruthless means ... till they get that in them and also a spine made of steel ..then and only then will they do something legendary, winning a few games is not the stuff of Sparta...just ask the likes of RedFearn, Hendrie, Eadon,Thompson, Wilkinson and Danny Wilson ... they were not the greatest players ..but one thing they totally had was Backbone and a work ethic and the ability (specially Redders) to run through brick walls...I somehow doubt that this lot can hold a match stick let alone a candle to that lot.

 

You took your time coming on tonight mate. I told them you would know where we went wrong and how you wold tell we were not that bad really.
i feel better now already, that the world is a safer place

 

Ok
Ahem,
we were sh*t-hot 1st half, plain sh*t 2nd..
Or, a game of two halves..
Better?

 

Good post Whitey. Like you I can't remember a game when there was such a massive swing in performances between the first and second halves. There may be several reasons why we just collapsed in the second half, you have mentioned many of them, I just hope Hillcroft can do a damage limitation exercise on the confidence of the team and get them up for the next game.

 

Re: absolute ******

Ipswich were a good side and are in a false position, like Bristol City were when they came to Oakwell, look how well they've done since.

Here's to a 60 point season.

 

Whoooshhhhh

point totally missed here

 

Re: Whoooshhhhh

No offence fella, but I dont know how to discuss anything with a poster that changes his mind every five mins..
2-0 up "reight team, love it, blah blah blah"
5-3 defeat "sh*t, theyre going down blah blah blah"

 

Re: Whoooshhhhh

You've got him spot on there! Look at his other posts tonight 45 **** halves we've had? Why we in the top half then?? This team is doing better than anyone imagined, long may it continue. He thinks we're Barca with their money. Reality check.

 

said niether of those statements..show me that exact text would you

no thowt not

 

Re: said niether of those statements..show me that exact text would you

I didnt say I was quoting thi verbatim.
Just a quick summary of your to-ing and fro-ing pal... sithi

 

I get what you mean about playing towards the Ponty. I thought the same. It is normally the end of the game after that half. Still no excuse for the way we defended as a team though. But we were very good in the first half, it's how we react now. Tough game up next but who knows, I wouldn't have predicted today's result, even at half time. We have shown we are very capable of winning games more than we lose them, we have got to keep that belief.

 

It wouldn't be Barnsley if we just kept winning

would it?

Personally I think we should ban Sky camers from Oakwell.

 

Re: It wouldn't be Barnsley if we just kept winning

I think its all down to sky aswell, apart from ref letting them kick us off the park. Wouldnt mind a couple of there dirty barstewards in our team tho.

 

Whitey - been reading your post match threads just now and I have to say we are of one mind. Interesting, though it should matter not, playing away from the Ponty in the second haf did make a difference - on a night when the support was second-to-none.
We blew them away first half. They played out of their skins second half. It happens - we're all in shock but time to move on. The Manager knows that ...in adversity we find strength and all that...i wish we had more like you my friend (and i know there are lots lots more) - keep it in perspective, keep the faith, in Hillcroft we trust.
PATIENCE IS KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!