My thoughts on tonights game (with a bit of Strictly as well) :)

I am ultimately disappointed with the result tonight; losing a derby game is always painful and losing to a team that is average at best and mediocre for the most only makes it worst. I don’t get to watch many games and this is only my second time I’ve watched a full game this season (the Birmingham game on Sky was the other) but for what it’s worth here are my thoughts. Note that my observations of the game were blinded periodically by about 20 women who looked like they were posing for a Beryl Cook painting en route to their Christmas party.

Firstly (and on the showing that Wednesday gave tonight) they are a very poor side relying on being physical, playing the channels, playing for the knockdowns and it was this that proved our downfall – we didn’t defend the second phase or ball from their crosses. I thought it was obvious that that was going to be the only way they would score as they didn’t have the quality to disturb us any other way and ultimately it this proved costly. Yes – I believe it was a foul on the keeper (and I maybe harsh in stating that Steele could have taken this out of the equation by punching the ball) but we didn’t defend that second ball with the defenders ball watching and not anticipating the next phase of the game.

Another disappointment was our first half showing as it looked like we were trying to play them at their own game – too many long balls and balls into the channels that they lapped up with ease. Thankfully, we changed in the second half and played with more confidence and fluidity but it proved too little too late and Wednesday with the goal advantage only had to defend deep to keep us at bay. Also, I think the introductions of Perkins and O’Brien helped us and this brings me on another point. Have these loan signings improved the quality of the team? As stated, I don’t see most games but on the showing tonight it looks difficult to state this case. Greening, although comfortable on the ball and always made himself available but ultimately he slowed us down which would be acceptable if we maintained possession but too often his forward passes went astray and I feel this was exasperated by Perkins introduction who for the most was dynamic and purposeful. Tudgay looked okay and got into good positions but his finishing let him down (don’t we have Dagnall to do this) and can someone please tell him that you head a ball into the ground. I can’t say anything about Buzsaky because he was anonymous for the entire first half. I would have expected more from these loan signings though on this sole glimpse it looks like all they are doing is adding competition to the squad whereas we need to be signing players who will make a difference and make a presence.

In conclusion I don’t think we are that bad a side or as bad as I was led to believe. Yes, I’m a half full type of guy and I don’t have to watch the team week in and week out but if we can play with the intensity of the second half then I believe we have something to build on. It is obvious that we are lacking in confidence and therefore composure but if we can get this back then I’m hopeful that we can get out of the mess we are currently in.

And this therefore brings us to the million dollar question. Is Keith Hill the man to get us out of this mess? Personally I don’t like how we’ve gone about changing managers for the last 10 years or so but football is a results business and we are getting to the stage (or maybe we have past it) where the results are simply not good enough. If, in addition, the team were lying down and dying then I would have no hesitation in getting someone new in but they showed in the second half enough fight and determination for me personally to warrant some more time. This is probably my heart ruling my head as if you take into account the tail end of last season then the results have been unacceptable over a good period of time.

However, is a change of manager the solution? In the short term probably but in the long term I don’t think we’ll be any better than we are at present. My reasoning for this is that I believe the club lacks leadership from the top i.e. the chairman or owner or whoever is in charge. I feel that is the lack of leadership is felt all the way through the club and we need someone to challenge the manager and hold them accountable which I don’t feel is happening at present. The current manager disappoints in his media commitments in that he fails to sell the club and speaks continually in a negative prose. Most Barnsley fans realise that we’re one of the smaller clubs in the division but are proud that we have continued to punch above our weight for most of our existence. This spirit is needed within our club and especially in our manager. We need our chairman or owner to remind the manager of this fact and challenge them to continue this history whoever they are.

Anyway all I can say is my evening wasn’t a total was out thanks to Strictly Come Dancing and Kimberly Walsh in particular. That red dress she had on for the American Smooth was something else and don’t get me started on her Charleston. You Reds

 

Excellent and well balanced!