A very big three points in tricky conditions for what must be one of the youngest reds sides ever fielded. We weren't great, we weren't even good for most of the game but we won, we didn't concede and that's back to back 2-0 home victories. The young academy lads again impressed me. Some nervy moments which are to be expected at that age, but grew into their performances, especially Holgate who I'm yet to see have a bad game. I've compared him to Stonesy before and been shot down for it, but I think it's a fair comparison. If he ends up only half as good, we've still got a cracking laiker. I just worry about this new contract he was supposed to be getting offered. Was it Ben who mentioned it a week or so ago? Not heard owt since. He definitely needs tying down because if he continues to perform like he has been then he'll be gone by the summer and we need proper recompense. Otherwise there's no point in going down this route of blooding our own. I was expecting Lalkovic to start and Kiwomya to be a late introduction off the bench. With hindsight applied, I think that would have been the better bet for us today. That's more me praising Milan than it is Alex. I appreciate that the latter and our two other new loan signings were all making their professional debuts today. I'd say they came out of it well, especially Pearson who looks to have the requisite assets to play in that role ahead of the back four. He offered more today than Bailey has in most of his games this season. And credit to the big lad, Pongo, who must be feeling good tonight having netted in his first ever proper game with the big misters. Big ******* Jean was standard Big ******* Jean. Looks 50% quality and 50% dreadful. I said in my blog the other day, I've never felt as scared when watching a defender as I do watching Jean. And I've seen Charlie Bishop and Jim McNulty. His air kick mishap being exactly why I feel that way. You always get a huge error out of him every match. But conversely, you get some comedic moments (end of first half) and some proper quality ones n all. He int all bad, and I do kind of like him. It's weird innit? With a fully fit squad to choose from though he's miles off in my opinion. Didn't think it was a penalty at all, but we've had clear ones not awarded this season so meh to that. Another goal for Hourihane, the useless twaat. I'm pleased tonight. I just hope we can build a bit of momentum now. Good win for my other club n all. Reight neet in store in our house. Play nicely, BBS'ers. You Reds.
Oh, and credit to Paul Digby too, and Danny for sticking with him. He can only get better/sharper/fitter with games. I think he excelled today more than he has in a long while. His frame could be a big asset for us in the run in. Nice to have a big lad in there instead of all these little pretty buggers.
Agreed I thought he was very good today. Dovetailed with Pearson really well. Interesting that Digby's improvement resulted in him NOT being the man just in front of the back four, but slightly further forward.
What a centre back young Holgate is going to be. He reads the game so well that his lack of size does not seem to matter. Far better at CB that RB in my opinion. I was not as impressed with Pearson as most on here. He needs telling to avoid passing to Mvoto, especially on the deck, it gives me heart palpitations every time he passed the ball backwards. Seriously, he needs to get the ball forward faster. I thought that was Digby's best game for us, but he needs to have a lot more before I will be convinced. I never managed to fully work the formation out today. Diamond, 4-3-3, 4-4-2 or if your name is Kiwomya, you can play where you like. We will need to be a lot more structured, and probably a lot older to get anything next week. Nevertheless, I was very encouraged and Danny is expecting 1 or 2 more in next week. Happy days.
Difficult to judge anything on today's game due to the weather conditions and the sending off. Yeovil looked better than us up to the sending off, but they did have the wind in their favour. Second half we looked better but were playing against 10 men... Digby still has a lot to prove, he still gave the ball away too much for my liking. Pearson did well, certainly put a shift in. Waring looked decent and Lalkovic looked lively when he came on. Kiwomya is still very raw but has pace and a few tricks. A promising start but we need to get Cranie, Nyatanga and Ramage back fit asap. Big Jean has at least one major blunder every match. Holgate looks better and better every game, very composed in possession. Smith and Williams did ok but weren't put under any great pressure. Lita once again failed to make any impact on the game and must now drop down the pecking order of strikers...
At least we now have genuine competition up front. Waring, Lalkovic, Winnall, Kiwomya are all ahead of Lita and Hemmings for me...
Summer of 2016 on his initial deal from September http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/ar...gate-signs-professional-contract-1961514.aspx But Mr Mansford was already talking of a new contract offer a couple of weeks ago: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30624830
