A home win at last, the first since September. We score 4 goals but concede the usual 2, and the score line sums it up really, a mixed bag, good and bad in parts. The key to the win was that we scored early and we scored first. Blackpool were not good, but our leaky defence contrived to make them look better than they were. In my opinion, the problem for me today defensively lay in midfield. Since we reverted to 4-4-2, I have been convinced that Hourihane had learned to play the defensive side of the position. Today, he showed all his old frailties. It is not that he cannot or does not tackle that is the problem. It is that he does not get back into position quickly enough, and because he begins out of position, he has no opportunity to regain control of the situation defensively. It is not tackling that is important. It is putting pressure on the opposition player with the ball to pass when he is not ready. If that pressure is not there, because our player is not in the right position, then the opposition player can time the pass perfectly. So Hourihane did make a few tackles today, but his positional play defensively was poor. On the left side, he is not exactly helped by Adam Hammill. Today Hammill gave me the impression that he was playing for Adam Hammill rather than Barnsley FC. He had his full back on toast all afternoon. Blackpool were forced to put two men on him, but rather than seeing this as an opportunity for another member of the team, Hammill took it as a challenge to beat two players instead of just one. If you are happy watching such nonsense and are uninterested in the end product, then you would have enjoyed Hammill’s performance. Many on the Ponte End seemed to, judging by the “Adam Hammill is a red” song, but for me he wasted everything that came into his possession today, including the chance in the first half. Not only that, but as the game wore on, he neglected his defensive duties leaving White to cope on his own against 2 attackers. People not at the game will see our 4 goals and figure we played pretty well, but did we really. Much of the ball forward was of the hit and hope variety that left Winnall and Watkins at a serious disadvantage. Many of our defensive clearances went just for distance, rather than seeking to find a red shirt and building an attack, resulting in Blackpool returning the ball into our box. Pearson was the best player in a red shirt, with honourable mentions for White, Wabara and Isgrove, who grew in confidence as the game wore on, and provided an example to Hammill of when, where and how to cross the ball, for Winnalls first goal. The biggest thrill of the day for me, was for Matty Templeton, who replaced Hammill and scored a very good first senior goal. His after the game interview showed just what it means for a Barnsley lad to score a goal for HIS team.
A poor report. Very misleading especially in the criticism of Hammill who put some excellents balls in the box and forced their keeper into a great save first half. Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk
Also blackpool had no answer at all to Izgrove's positive runs at them, contantly (mainly 2nd half) put them on the backfoot and scared them to death
Agree with most of that, although I think more credit is due for a strong second half performance. Hammill was pretty ineffective overall but I did enjoy his skill. I'd like to think he was ultra-determined to get a goal, rather than see him as selfish. Isgrove got a deserved MOTM award, but wouldn't have complained had it gone to Pearson who was also excellent. Btw I'm fairly sure Templeton is from Worksop, but it was great to see a youngster who's come from our academy score today.
The defensive frailty continues to be a worry. But it is a huge positive to finally counteract that in part with a purposeful attacking display. Finally, we used our pacier players to run at the opposing defence with speed and purpose, and what dividends it paid. Can't have your remarks about Hammill. When he has the ball he is a constant threat, both in terms of creating for others and also for himself. Maybe it didn't directly lead to the goals today, but playing like that, it will. And while Hammill is occupying defenders in the way he did today, he is keeping the ball away from our shaky defence. The big, big question is: can we back this display up? For all the deficiencies, today was enjoyable and entertaining. And if we ship goals (as we will) then it does offset that to some extent if we are threatening at the other end. At the end of the day, it's about entertainment. And today was rich in that. Our players showed some proper cojones today.
Really? Ffs you are easily pleased....the first half way **** and so was the second til they equalised. Then it was very good entertainment but played ace?.... err no....!
Really? Ffs you are easily pleased....the first half way **** and so was the second til they equalised. Then it was very good entertainment but played ace?.... err no....!
I actually agree with a lot of what you've put. I've repeatedly said on here that we have several quality players for this division & that their individual qualities will see us climb up the league. But the organisation of the team Is shocking. Every time we lose the ball in the opponents half we look vulnerable. The first Blackpool goal was an embarrassment on our part, got to be someone stepping forward to put a tackle or block in. When it happens once or twice you put it down to bad errors of judgement but when it happens so often it's bad coaching. I do think you're overly harsh on Hammill who did have plenty of end product, at times he did over play though. I think you're been harsh on the fans as well. We want to be entertained & Hammill does that. Few things better to watch than a player who can go past full backs. I know there's plenty to work on & I think we've got the wrong manager in charge but we've watch a 6 goal thriller & a young academy lad came off the bench to bag a goal on his league debut so for once I'm happy with what I've seen
Good report pretty on the money. Watkins was better today though I know you ( like me) are not particularly a fan. Pearson I'm not generally convinced by but he was the best player on the pitch by a fair way today. Hamill is the archetypal winger. You can forgive showboating a little in a dank Season. Though in a different type of game it would have been inappropriate An entertaining game but no barometer either way of the season.
Well from where I was sat, its a very accurate report and is not at all misleading. I had Isgrove and Pearson as possible MOM's followed closely by White and Wabara.
Good assessment of our defensive frailties. However, time and time again Hourihane was making forward runs ahead of the ball so I'm not surprised he struggled to get back. He's never going to be great defensively so why not play to his strengths. Yes we may not be as difficult to break down but we look dangerous when we go forwards and a 4-2 is much more entertaining than a 2-0. I also think you're a bit harsh on Hammill. Yes he's selfish and often doesn't pass when he should but I don't think that's because he's playing for himself rather than BFC. He probably just thinks he can do a better job of creating a chance/scoring a goal than many others in the team, which is actually the case the majority of the time.