<div class="small color-666">December 2, 2007 </div><h1 class="heading">Ipswich left frustrated by Barnsley</h1><h2 class="sub-heading padding-top-5 padding-bottom-15">Ipswich 0 Barnsley 0</h2><div id="region-column1-layout2"><div id="main-article"><div class="article-author"><span class="small" /><span class="byline">George Davis at Portman Road </span></div></div> BATTLING Barnsley ended Ipswich Town’s proud run of consecutive home wins but could not find a morale-boosting away victory for themselves. Ipswich have now gone 13 games unbeaten at Portman Road after 12 straight wins but will be disappointed at dropping points when they find winning on their travels so difficult - they have failed to record a single away victory this season. </p> Ipswich and Barnsley’s most famous encounter was the 2000 playoff final at Wembley when the Blues conquered and went on to have two years in the Premier League along with UEFA Cup football. But relegation to the Championship was swiftly followed by administration and Ipswich have battled to get back on top both on and off the pitch. </p> Under Jim Magilton the Blues are contenders to be among the playoff challengers at least, considering their impressive home results this season. </p> After the gloomy days of financial restriction, the sun is shining on Portman Road once more with a takeover by conference organiser Marcus Evans now agreed by the club with just the agreement of the shareholders to come and letters are being sent out to them tomorrow. Evans has agreed to buy 86% of Ipswich Town for £12m and buy £28m of the club’s debts for around £6m. That will allow Magilton to operate in the January transfer market although judging by his side’s success this season, he won’t be making too many changes. </p> Ipswich had not conceded in their past three wins at Portman Road and with Barnsley failing to score in their past four away matches it did not bode well for the Tykes. Matters were made worse for Barnsley who were without leading scorer Brian Howard and attacking wide-man Jamal Campbell-Ryce through suspension. </p> However it was the Yorkshire side who made most of the running in the first half. </p> Sam Togwell made a spectacular hash of trying to hit a difficult volley after good work from Martin Devaney and Hungarian Istvan Ferenczi hit a shot on the turn wide of a post. </p> Grant McCann struck a thunderous shot from 30 yards that was tipped over the bar by Neil Alexander and the Town keeper saved Stephen Foster’s header from a corner on the line. </p> Ipswich struggled to find the rhythm that has saw them score 14 goals in their past four home matches with only Spaniard Pablo Counago stretching the Barnsley defence. </p> He forced German keeper Heinz Muller into making a low save and almost set up Billy Clarke after refusing to allow the ball to go out of play and embarrassed defender Dennis Souza before cutting the ball back. </p> Tommy Miller hit a shot straight into Muller’s midriff to end a tepid first half. After the break, Muller made a tremendous one-handed save to push away a well struck Gavin Williams free kick which looked destined for a top corner. </p> The German influence in the Barnsley defence was compounded by full-back Domink Werling, who made a terrific tackle to deny Miller in the penalty area. Werling showed he was prepared to have a go from distance, too, with a powerful 40-yard, left-footed drive that Alexander was glad to push around a post. </p> A mistake by Dan Harding allowed Togwell a chance but Alexander blocked the effort. Ipswich made a half-hearted appeal for a penalty when Miller appeared to be pulled back in the box by Lewin Nyatanga but the referee showed no interest. There were goalmouth scrambles in the Barnsley box as Town pressed as relentlessly as the rain fell but they could not find a way through the resolute defence. </p> Star man: Dominik Werling(Barnsley) Player ratings. Ipswich: Alexander 7, Wright 6 De Vos 6, Bruce 6, Harding 6, Walters 6, Williams 6, Miller 7, Clarke 6 (Roberts 63min), Lee 5 (Haynes 33min 8), Counago 7 Barnsley: Muller 8, Souza 6, Foster 6, Nyatanga 6, Werling 8, Devaney 6, Togwell 6, De Silva 6, McCann 7, Ferenczi 6 (Christensen 75min), Macken 5 Referee:A Penn Attendance:19,540 </p></div>
Is it legal? how have they avoided going into Administration? Im proper puzzled. When is £28m really worth £6m, answers on a postcard to Matt Dunham please.
Come on - when was the last time we saw it It used to be in every report ever written about Barnsley - from what I remember we played good football in the early 80's - ahaven't seen it in any report over the last few years
