Just got my net back - Wow, what a game.

Yesterday was brilliant.

I have to be honest, for the first 15 minutes I was worried we were going to be blown away. But we grinded it out thanks to Colgan and the back four and built from there. Howard and the outstanding McPhail took control of the game and Howard should have scored after a great move down the right. Hayes was half a stride away twice from being on the end of loose balls in the box. Half time, 0-0 was probably about right.

In the second half, the game exploded with the blatant penalty we were denied. It couldn't have been much more obvious - to the point where even the Colchester captain indicated to Devaney that he knew it was a hand. But this lifted the crowd, and in turn lifted the players even more. Devaney should have done better with a header, and Wright was denied by a Davison tip-over.

Finally the goal came - great skill and cross from Devaney, good header by Howard, good save, but luckily, and deservedly for the player involved, Howard was quickest to react. The booking for the celebration just infuriates me.

From then on, we defended. Kay made a great challenge on Garcia when he was goalside. Hassell got good headers away a few times, but theres no doubting the hero of the piece. Three superb saves by Colgan, none better than the last gasp one to deny Williams. An astonishing save.

Halford went from being someone I was impressed with to being a t*sser in the last minute with his antics, but it just made it even more dramatic, and phew...what a win.

Thoroughly deserved against the best side to come to Oakwell this season - the only side that have really come to have a go.

For them, Wayne Brown (bald centre-back), and the left back impressed, but I thought the left winger (Yeates) was their best player, while Danns, Iwelumo and Halford showed flashes.

Player Ratings

Colgan 9 -- Everything he did, he did right. Absolutely superb, am I right in thinking thats his SIXTEENTH clean sheet of the season? Unbelievable.

Austin 8 -- Would have been a nine but was done a couple of times in the last few minutes by Yeates which could have been costly. Some great tackles - poor distribution at times.

Heckingbottom 8 -- Completely different player to the one in the last home game.

Hassell 9 -- Considering his height, his leap and his ability to keep Iwelumo generally quiet was excellent. Such an improved player, and fast becoming my player of the year.

Kay 8 -- Excellent again. Proving he IS a very capable centrehalf and has cut out the concentration errors. Well played sir.

Shuker 7 -- Workrate was of course there. The quality wasn't at times. Got better in the 2nd half.

Howard 9 -- Outstanding. Thought he had a slow start but from about the quarter hour onwards, he was superb. Up and down, tough tackling, geeing up the other players, good passing, and the goal to cap it off. Excellent.

McPhail 9 -- His best performance in a red shirt for me - not so much for going forward (which he did, and almost scored - he really should score more), but for his defensive work. On several occasions Danns broke away and McPhail was the one who took the ball off him. Superb.

Devaney 8 -- Excellent at times, particularly with his running at the right fullback (which he hadn't done for a while), and the cross for the goal. Crap header which he should have done better with but that will never be his strength.

Hayes -- 7 The workrate was there, again, the quality wasn't at times. A bit unlucky a couple of times, and I'm not being too harsh on either striker because the main problem between them was a lack of understanding -- something that will always happen between two strikers who haven't played together much.

Wright -- 7.5 -- The workrate wasn't just there, it was phenomenal. NEVER stopped charging around, despite at times some poor service. Was unlucky with a good header from a corner tipped over the bar, and if he continues to work like that, the goals'll come.

The potential to go up is there. This league, in my opinion, is there for the taking now. We've just got to grab the chance. COME ON YOU REDS!

 

Good post lad, McPhail was as good at Forest.Right about Hassell he is nailed on for Player Of Year

 

The Halford incident

Andy Ritchie wasn't best pleased and said exactly what I was thinking... the referee could have negated the unsportsmanlike behaviour by blowing the final whistle.

Pretty much agree with your ratings as usual!

 

To be honest..

I think the ref did blow the whistle a little early because of it.

 

RE: To be honest..

Cracking post, and what a game. Its in our hands with the games we've got. Come On You Reds!!!!

 

RE: To be honest..

Do you mean the ref blew for time at 4.57 instead of 5.10 or when Colchester equalised?
</p>

 

bang on

my sentiments exactly. best reds performance i have seen for many a year and can not remember the last time i enjoyed a game that much.

you reds!

 

RE: To be honest..

A little early??

My sister rang to find out why there'd been a late kick off. Said the result didn't go through til 5pm. since when has 4 mins managed to last that long (man u matches excepted)

 

RE: The Halford incident

What happened with Halford?</p>

I didnt see, as my head was in my hands! </p>

 

RE: The Halford incident

Lol, it was him that took the throw in to his own players when Colgan kicked it out for an injury to Burns.

The tosspot.

 

RE: The Halford incident

Oh yeah, saw that bit. Just reminded me ta. The W.anker

 

Also when the fans in the East Stand refused to give the ball back..

He turned around and pointed to his name on the back of his shirt, as if he was something special.

 

RE: Also when the fans in the East Stand refused to give the ball back..

******* w.anker, he's just gone down in my estimation.

 

What I meant by the referee stopping the game early was..

That our fans kept the ball from Halford for a good half-minute, but the ref still blew the whistle as soon as he threw.

 

Spot on mate

Agreed with just about everything. It was great to see total committment from the whole team, and the reaction to Howaqrd's goal showed that commottment. Howard's booking was pathetic, how could he be accused of inciting the opposition fans when he was 100yards away from any?

 

Good call buddy

Bobby has played superbly well.
Great point on McPhail, defended very well.

 

Got to agree with most of that but I thought that McPhail stood out above the rest. When he plays like that he is by far the best player in this division - bar none!

The last time I saw McPhail & Howard play together was away at Bradford and they were class. It is no coincidence that two of the best performances this season came with these two in the centre of midfield.