I went with my girlfriend, sat in my usual seat behind my friend Matt and adjacent to the directors box. I'd already seen - and shook my head at - the team lineup before arriving, but as per, once inside Oakwell I'm fully supportive of each and every red shirt-wearing tarn laiker. It wasn't until sitting down that I remembered that a certain Jason Shackell was a Burnley player. Although tbf to me, he does change his club more often than a **** golfer. More on that lovely person later. Twas nice to see Keiran Trippier again, but more on him later, too. The first thing I noticed, obviously, was just how empty the place was. Can't remember seeing the modern Ponty End looking so under-occupied. The £15 price clearly didn't disguise the current apathy towards the club and it's fortunes. But I won't use this particular thread to Matty Drone on about that issue. Instead I'll say well done to those of us who did attend, and sat through another typical Barnsley display.... I'm not one for details, match reports etc. I tried it once on my blog (and got decent reviews) but it hurts my brain. And I've been drinking. Obviously. So I'll cut to the chase. We lined up in a 352, which to my eyes at least was more 532 for the most part, as Golbourne and Stones rarely ventured forward. Although that's harsh, as they did, but with little support so as to have an effect. We passed it well, albeit over safe distances. There has been a distinct lack of risk-taking so far as passing goes under this regime (Hillcroft) IMO. Certainly since the likes of Butterfield, Drinkwater and Vaz Te departed. We again had no trouble in central midfield as both Dawson and to a lesser extent Perkins, won that particular battleground. But I'm not sure what O'Brien's role was. He doesn't look comfortable in the hole, and often runs all over the field trying to make an impact. Good on him for that, but it serves only to tire him, and wastes his true ability as a winger. IMO. Up top we had two honest lads, who can't be faulted for.... 'endeavour', but you'd have to be high on crack to fancy them to score for us on a regular basis. I don't solely blame them for that. They get poor service, and aren't the sort of forwards that are liable to 'make' their own chances. At the back, I was very impressed with all three of them. Jimmy McNulty put in his best display of the season, and it's performances like this that led to my belief that he was as good as Shackell, pound for pound. Today proved that theory. But unfortunately it's a very unique occurrence this term. But let's get behind him, support him, and hope that he's beginning to re-find his feet. Or we could just write him off and shout obscenities at him because that's a great idea... Tom Kennedy (first time I've seen him at home) was spot on. Can't fault him. Good passer of the ball, worked well in tandem with Golbourne, and did his defensive duties with little fuss. Fair play to the fella. I'm keen to see more of him if I'm honest. Martin Cranie was superb. Remember when Keith described him as a 'Rolls Royce' of a laiker? Well I've seen little evidence of that thus far. Until today. He was class. Everything you expect of a ball-playing centre half, and won header after header. But again, I won't get carried away. Oh yes, Luke Steele had nowt to do. Not that I can recall. A few decent grabs of the ball in tight situations, but nothing memorable. The sending off lifted us. And we did have one or two decent opportunities to take the lead. None more-so than Golbourne who should have done much better when well found by Daggers. We ought to have been ahead at half-time but I still took solace in the display in that first 45 and expected us to win. Yes, even after 4 months of not winning I still had faith. Must have been the lager. The second half was a bit of a let-down if I'm honest. The feeling of boredom took hold, and I was hoping to see Rose or RNL thrown on much earlier as it became clear that we were never going to score. Cywka came on first, and for the most part offered jack ****. The lad needs to be stronger, or show less of the ball to his opponent as he loses possession far too often. Still think there's a player in there somewhere. But like so many before him in my 25 years of viewing it's a case of finding that consistency. If he found it, he probably wouldn't be here long. Fine lines and all that. When the two kids came on we looked livelier. Rose won headers he had no right to, even against greedy ******. And Reubs showed some good strength late on to protect our lead/victory. That victory was gifted to us. Just as I'd resigned myself to a replay defeat in Burrrrrnleh, a gash cross from Golbourne caught out Jensen in goal, and after his attempts at saving it failed, there was Danny boy to finish with precision, and send home the 3500 diehards with something oh so rare - a victory. Burnley then went 2-2-6, and there were a few hairy moments, but we held out and deservedly so. I stayed behind to clap the lads off, and it was lovely to see the youngsters (Stones, RNL and Rose) so happy celebrating with the fans. Credit to McNulty, too, who always makes an effort to applaud each and every side of the ground, however sparse, and no matter the result. And it was great to also see Trippier with those lads, congratulating them, long after his teammates had departed. If only Keith had signed him up when presented the opportunity instead of bringing his mates Drone and Wiseman in, eh? Hindsight etc. Onto greedy lovely person. A constant ***** all afternoon, whingeing at the ref, typical show pony, he looked as average as he did 2 years ago. IMO. At one point, he dared to accuse Daggers of elbowing him. (he didn't, btw) Anyway, Daggers took exception to this, along with Dawson (Mad Dog is an understatement), and Jayyyyyyson pussied off like the bitch that he is. But it was when Rose came on that Shackell grew some balls. Thought he'd try bullying him. They had a set-to at the corner flag, but Danny and Reubs held their ground. Yorkshire, init? However, it appears that there was more to it than just that, and the accusations levelled at greedy lovely person don't surprise me at all. So it was quite fitting to see him stood yards behind young Danny as he smashed in the winner. Eat that you mercenary lovely person. I still don't want Sidekick as manager. A coach, perhaps, if the new guy allows, but preferably he'll jog on back to Bolton. Clean slate for me. But each to their own and all that. I will end by saying that sat next to The Don in the directors box, were two foreign-looking gents. Never seen them here before. I say foreign-looking, as both were tanned slightly, and whilst I don't want to come across as non-PC, they had a blanket over their knees. Seriously. They looked no older than 50, and as I say they were sat with Don, and as I sit there each game I can certainly state they haven't been here before. Foreign investors perhaps? I dunno. Just saying what I saw. Hopefully, someone else will have spotted them too. I'd have taken a photo but r lass was on twitter trying to keep abreast of the Norwich game. Optimistic we can beat Leeds next weekend, and hopeful of a good draw in the 4th round tmro. And still wanting Megson. UP THE TARN...
The back 3 did okay today but they were playing 10 men for over an hour and Burnley left 1 up front and weren't interested for most of the second half. I don't recall them winning too many headers either. McNulty improved slightly on recent showings but I'm still not convinced, although I agree slating the lad will get us nowhere as he does have potential and left sided centre halves are pretty rare. Talking of heading, I thought Danny Rose proved he's got a right leap on him and he won headers against players far bigger than him. Chuffed for the lad on scoring his first goal for the club and think Flicker is right that when he 'grows into his body' - whatever that means, fills out a bit I suppose - he'll score plenty of goals. The lad is a poacher and a little scrapper who'll wind up big centre halves all day long...
Do you know what Merlin, I've actually enjoyed reading your posts on here recently, because you seem to have the same opinions as me, and you've just written a match report that is pretty much the same as the game as I saw. Gladly, I can't give you complete man love, because I wasn't that impressed with Kennedy, but I'm going to give you one of those like thingies anyway!
