I'm Remarkably Proud After That Performance..

What an effort. For 90 minutes, and for talent, grit, resilience, determination and passion, that is the best I've seen us play, I'd almost hesitate to say, in years.

We were the better side from the 10th second when Richards almost scored, right through to the 94th.

Hayes went on a superb 60 yard run to tee up Richards who was denied by the unorthodox but very impressive Ricketts. Hayes was also denied in the first half on a couple of occasions, before the ridiculous decision.

A late sliding challenge- identical to one made on Devaney. No booking for the one on Devaney because Devaney jumped to his feet, red card for Howard. Absolutely unbelievable decision.

In the past we'd have buckled, but we knuckled down and even improved after the break. In the second half, Marc Richards gave a centre-forward performance that Alan Shearer would have been proud of. Power, awareness, skill, he showed it all, and I was utterly stunned by just how good he was. Very well done.

Their guy was sent off after McPhail made a meal of a nudge from Muirhead- but good on him. There was contact, he has every right to go down- I'd rather him do that than turn around and retaliate and get sent off himself.

Then at the death, to add to his already excellent save from Windass in the first half, Colgan pulled a stunner out the hat and flew through the air to tip a Windass header around the post- and it was so good that Windass was the first to applaud.

We played with incredible passion, commitment and there was not one player that did not play very well today. Full credit to everyone, all that was missing was the goal.

To people talking about Hayes and Richards today, what exactly did you want them to do? They hit the target four or five times while their keeper made good saves, they worked tirelessly, and for much of it, one or the other was upfront on their own. Hayes did very well defensively when playing in midfield and ran himself into the ground today- nobody could question his workrate this time.

Man of the match: Although under normal circumstances it would go to the whole team, there was nothing normal about MARTIN DEVANEY today. He was outrageously good, the best individual performance I've seen from any player in a long time. His pace is electric, he ripped their full back apart and its the ultimate compliment when they have to replace him after 25 minutes. Simply magnificent and almost capped it with the winner but to be denied by Ricketts outstretched leg.

Ratings on an outstanding display.
Colgan - 8.5 (2 outstanding saves)
Hassell - 7.5 (improved greatly after half time)
Watt - 7.5 (conned by Claridge in particular and not helped by terrible refereeing.)
Kay - 8 (thought he was excellent today, very solid indeed and almost nicked a late winner.)
Austin - 8 (did a very good job against Muirhead who was the biggest threat til his red card.)
Shuker 7.5 (improved greatly after halftime)
McPhail - 8 (excellent considering the circumstances he was in once Howard was sent off. Superb workrate)
Howard - 7 (Was excellent until his red card)
Devaney - MOTM - 9 - Awesome. Would have got a 10 if he'd capped his performance with the goal he deserved. Simply superb and it could be impossible to drop him after that.
Hayes - 7.5 - Superb workrate playing out of position for much of the game. Stunning run to set up Richards in first half.
Richards - 8 - Quiet in the first half, simply outstanding in the 2nd.

Also, why is Claridge allowed to play without shinpads? That must be against Football League rules, surely?

Come on you reds, we'll blitz Rotherham playing like that.

 

Good stuff, thanks for that!

It sounded a belting game on the radio - couldn't believe what I was hearing at times! More of the same will be most appreciated.

 

Good review

spot on,keep playing like that who knows U REDS

 

Can't disagree with any of that. Because of where we live it was a two and a half hour journey to get to Bradford today but worth every minute. This is without a doubt the best we have played away this season - and we have seen them all!

 

Good report.

An Excellent team performance from The Reds today, we were the better team even when we unjustly had ten men. I have never been so positive about a Reds performance after a nil nil draw!

Devaney put on an outstanding Display, was beating players for fun. His performance just missing a goal he richly deserved.

Also special mention to two players who had their fair share of stick, But Ithought both Colgan and Kay were excellent today.

Colgan - Two top draw saves today from Windass.

Kay - Excellent performance, dealt will Claridge and Windass well.

 

Couldnt agree more

Fantastic performance today, and was very impressed with Devaney...</p>

I was praying he'd start before game because I thought he'd be dropped for Burns to come back in and howard to go to the left, but he better not be dropped after that performance...</p>



overall, a fantastic performance, even with 10 vs 11 for most of the game we was the better side...</p>

9 points in next 3 league games if we play like that, but were talking about Barnsley arent we?</p>

 

Quite agree. Players did us proud today,cant help thinking me might well have won hadnt poor old BH been on the end of yet another refereeing travesty. And well done Martin Devaney for a superb performance.

 

Good review - in fact exceptional review like the performance.....

I would like to do a similar review but the lateness of my arrival to the PC and also the intake of alcohol says I don't need to!</p>

The only thing I want to add is a few points to back up what you have already said in bullet points.</p>

1. Martin Devaney could be a massive player for us due to workrate and quality in getting at the last man. A reminder of Martin Bullock but better and that is no disrespect to Bullock.
2. McPhail oozes class.
3. Richards was also top notch
4. Hayes looked the part without excelling and should have scored at least two.....but played well when filling in behind Richards
5. Kay, Hassell, and Austin were solid with no rashness that has caused problems in the past.
6. Howard looked a VERY good player before he was sent off for a non descript tackle that was punished by a referee that should have been subbed himself- ******.
7. Nick Colgan made 2 'WORLD CLASS' saves and deserves a very high mark. The first one a point blank save and the second a full strecth top corner effort that Peter Bonnetti would have been proud of.

The other players who I believe obviously deserve a mention are Shuker and Watt who were also part of a great team effort. Shuker worked his socks off and could have grabbed the winner.</p>

I know I will get stick for this but I have reservations of Watt. Not as player for the 'Super Reds' but as a future player in any league above.That is no detriment to him personally but can't see him playing at a higher level that us for any period of time. What I mean is this is his level and he would do a good job for us without being excellent every week. I know he young and only time will tell. He wins the majority of headers but can look a little outpaced as well as positionally unsound at times. He is one of those players - anyone remember Neil Whitworth from Man Utd who came with a big rep who could fall by the way side. The best thing for him would be with us until May.</p>



A big performance today without the correct result. More of the same from the Reds with a bit more quality in the next few weeks will see us in the 3rd round and in at least the playoff positions.</p>

 

could it be we,ve found a gem in devaney,after a slow start!Also maybe mr hart was right when he said colgan was the best goalkeeper in the division.

 

Mr Hart may be allowed one victory in Colgan

Shot Stopping - Excellent</p>

Crosses - A worry</p>

 

Totally agree Rob...

MARTIN DEVANEY deserves his name in capital letters!!! An absolute amazing performance.</p>

I don't want to take anything from the rest of the team, however...MARTIN DEVANEY!!!</p>

I also think that had he stayed on, Brian Howard would have run him close, but for 90 minutes, i can't remember seeing a better individual performance from ANY Barnsley player in my 10 plus years of watching the reds.</p>

Just to add...fantastic support today too. Sang for 90 minutes, and despite our own personal problem with a small (5 or 6) section of our OWN fans, i think all the fans were exceptional.</p>

PS...whats with the pig?</p>

 

Pig?

Lost me now.

And bar a couple of Hignett/Redfearn performances, I agree, could have been the best individual performance I've seen from a Reds player, certainly on the wing.

 

The teddy pig that was flying around...

just had no idea why???</p>

 

I agree our fans were terrific

Great support from the red army