Second half Oxford came out like a steam train determined to snatch a goal and with barnsley making a tactical change pushing the no 6 forward as the point of a diamond rather than his deeper box to box role of the first half it left plenty of midfield for them to exploit. Barnsley keeper made a good save, few good balls in the box and half chances with a defender smashing the ball against the post. The first change went to barnsly after about 15 minutes or so replacing the absolutely shocking number 7. He was that bad it was like playing with 10 men. The sub sat in the middle of park a bit deeper and the number 8 went wide. This seemed to steady the ship and the impetus swung towards barnsley, missing a number of good chances including a couple of 1 on 1s and scuffed half chances. Although Oxford still threatened it was evident to see that Oxford were running out of ideas and starting to tire. It was no surprise barnsley scored a second. The left back got in behind for really the first time in the game and although his first cross was blocked the ball came back to him and his second effort fell to the number 6 who made no mistake from two yards out. Oxford to their credit didn't give up and kept trying and getting into good positions but the final decision/ball was their undoing. With Oxford chasing the game and barnsley looking dangerous on the counter it was inevitable the 3rd goal would come. Oxford got caught out numbered and a cracking ball in was buried by the number 11. Oxford still had some moments forcing a corner and having a free header wide from it but they were limited, barnsley knew the game was won. Overall.... I enjoyed the game even though it was freezing. The best player was barnsleys number 6 followed by the number ten who came to life second half when oxfords legs went, the number five caught my eye as well. The number seven can **** off the disinterested ****. The big concern was the number of times the ball was played under pressure across the back four or the defence tried to play out of defence when under pressure. It was very much akin to the tic tac football under hill and on another day it would have cost barnsley a result, fortunately it wasn't today. That can be knocked out of them as there is some raw diamonds there who can make a name in the first team over the next couple of seasons.
If you would have been stood with Phil he would have told you all the players names rather than just their shirt numbers as well as what they were wearing when they arrived at the ground.
I'm sorry to disagree but the best player on the pitch by a country mile was the left back (# 3). Composed on the ball, nice drop of the should to continually come inside and his distribution was great... Plus he made the 2nd goal with a great run into the box
He improved second half when he got some support in front of him. First half he was poor. Dd you not hear the ****ings he was getting from the keeper?
