My two penneth on yesterday

I thought we started off really well. The back three were winning everything, especially Roberts, who looked quality for the first half an hour. Mawson had Ebanks-Blake in his back pocket. And a big back pocket it was. Crowley was dictating the tempo and generally taking the p*ss out of their players with some unbelievable technique. He played a great ball through to Wilkinson, and he kept composed and finished nicely. Winnall had a good opportunity which he managed to carve out for himself, but a poor effort with the outside of his boot fell straight into Tommy Lee's hands.

They started to come into the game a bit more, after they worked out our game plan and started to kick lumps out of Crowley. Without him getting on the ball we looked clueless. No physical presence to hold onto the ball upfront, and no spark or pace out wide. Their left winger looked pretty handy and gave Scowen, and then Williams, the run around. We conceded two poor goals, defensively. Our best midfielder was shunted out on the right-hand side, and understandably looked out of place, whilst Pearson and Hourihane were anonymous in the centre of midfield. Smith put a good couple of balls over, but I'm not convinced he's good enough if we want to compete at the top in this league.

I know we've got Williams to come back, but to look at our bench was pretty worrying. Watkins came on and had a couple of runs with the ball, but other than that there was nobody that was going to come on and change the game. We do need a new striker, but not two that has been mentioned in the press. If we're to persist with this 5-3-2 then we need two players capable of playing either side of the back three. A winger with some pace, and the ability to offer us something different would also be nice. I'm sure we'll recruit once Holgate departs, or if Stones makes a big move, so I'm not too worried.

We've got some great players, we just need a couple of different options now. The capitulation yesterday was a feeling that is far too familiar, though.

 

Good Read and generally sums up my feelings.

Winnall is far too fragile for my liking so may need a back up option for him

 

"They started to come into the game a bit more, after they worked out our game plan and started to kick lumps out of Crowley. "



I ve a feeling that will happen a lot in this league... Players will not let a 17 year old lad take the pi55 for long..

 

I'd imagine so. I thought mentally, he coped with it well. He didn't seem intimidated by it, but everytime he got on the ball he'd be kicked off it. He's only 18, he'll learn to ride tackles and remain on his feet. The positive thing is that he's technically the best footballer I've ever seen in a Barnsley shirt, and even if he does continue to get kicked about, he'll probably still chip in with a dozen more assists over the season.

 

Good summary M Tyke. I would also add to that our lack of experience showed, maybe on and off the pitch....

 

Probably so. They're a young bunch but hopefully they'll learn from yesterday.

 

I'm glad there was someone else in the ground that saw that match exactly like I did.

 

agree with you on everything there. But that's a way too sensible post to be on here 24 hours after the game.

 

Well, it's nice to know I wasn't spouting utter b*llocks. Especially as I've had a few shandies since the game.