Kilmarnock Review

Here's a brief overview of my opinions (for what they are worth) from tonight's game at Rugby Park. I didn't take any notes so I apologise in advance for any blanks or **** reporting.

Overall, I thought it was a decent performance from the team in which they looked fit, full of running and had a good energy. They were up against a limited but street wise Kilmarnock team who for the most of the game were second best.

First half, the reds lined up in the modern 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 formation. They controlled most of the it though they didn't really have any end product and it was Kilmarnock who went closest with a couple of speculative efforts towards the end of the half. Barnsley looked pretty good in possession but seemed a little reluctant in front of goal and could have done with a better end ball. The only exceptions to this was a couple of decent crosses from Bree.

Second half, started like the first with Barnsley having the better possession but with no real end product. Kilmarnock however seem a little less precious with their limited possession and continued to threaten the Barnsley goal whenever they had the chance. The game changed with the substitutions and Barnsley changed their shape to a 3-5-2 (or maybe 3-4-1-2) and pretty much straight away a good cross from Smith was headed in by Wilkinson. Our confidence improved after the goal and we seemed to create more chances than we did in the first - the most notable being when Watkins was put through only for his tame shot to be parried by the goalkeeper. Kilmarnock were still in the game and had a couple of chances (mainly from distance) of their own but on the whole Barnsley looked good and comfortable in their victory.

Brief summary of the team:

Davies - looked assured in goal and didn't really have much to do but handled whatever came his way with assurance.
Bree - decent performance and put a couple of decent crosses in the first half. Don't recall him doing much wrong.
Roberts - looks a good buy, good in the air and had decent performance against Boyd. That throw will undoubtedly prove an asset this season.
Nyatanga - don't recall him having much to do but looked assured nonetheless
Smith - like Bree had a decent performance and put in a couple of decent crosses after the break - one which led to the goal
Pearson - had a good game, seemed to be at the center of everything we tried to do. Owen Hargreaves type of player, kept the ball well and always made himself available.
Rothwell - can't recall him doing much in the game
Scowen - good to see him playing in a more central position, good energy and like how he always wants to go forward with the ball. Too be honest, I probably expected more but that's down to the high expectation I had after seeing him towards the end of last season.
Phenx - it took me most of the first half to work out who was playing on the farside. A little disappointing, I recall one decent run and cross but nothing substantial seemed to come from the right when he was on the field.
Wilkinson - Looked a little lightweight in the first half and got easily knocked off the ball a couple of times. Came more into the game in the second half with some decent runs and started to hold the ball up well. His confidence improved after the goal and there's definitely a good player in there whether Barnsley gets to see it is another matter.
Watkins - I was a little disappointed with his first half performance playing in a wide right forward position. Came more into the game after the substitutions and looked threatening playing alongside Wilkinson. Should have scored being put through.

Subs
Mawson - came on and played between Roberts and Nyatanga and looked a class apart. Super composed on the ball and looked good bringing the ball out from the back. Looks a great acquisition and different class when he was on the pitch.
Maris - came on and seemed to play in the hole between the front two. Looked a tidy player, always wanting the ball and generally used it well. Gave possession away a few times but it didn't dent his confidence and continued to want the ball. Like the look of him.
Trialist - had about 10 minutes but didn't get much of the ball.

There was little niggle in some of the Kilmarnock play and they didn't seem to like playing second fiddle to a younger Barnsley side. It was refreshing to see the team stand up to them and not be intimidated by their strong arm tactics which I feel will put us in good stead for the forth coming season.

 

Thanks for that RGBS

 

We had a trialist? Sure it wasnt Templeton? Thanks for the report mate.

 

It was but people are getting confused, including me on Saturday, as he doesn't have a squad number

 

Your first game since when?

 

What do you think Johnson will do with Mawson, Nyatanga and Roberts? Unless back three one of the better players will be on the bench?

 

One of them will probably be played on the wing, or should I say on the outside point of the diamond.

 

I think it was Templeton

 

I think playing 3-5-2 could suit us. I thought when we changed on Saturday we looked better and according to this the same last night