Some credit for Carlisle

Felt for them last night. They pressed as well as anybody in that first half and while the chances we gave away were very much our own doing, I think they came mostly as a result of the relentless pressure they were putting on us at all times. When they got the ball I thought they looked bright too but just couldn't take their chances. Their performance reminded me in some ways of our away games in the Championship - we looked good, probably the better team, don't take our chances, get punished. Even in the second half I thought they contained us and restricted our chances quite well - we only had 3 shots on target despite throwing everything at them. If they sign a goalscorer this month they'll be fine.

For our part, I thought Collins won us that game. The early introduction of Cotter and Cadden pushed them back and restricted their ability to press. It also opened up space for our CBs to step into, which we exploited in the run-up to both goals. Collins and the individual brilliance of Devante Cole.

 

Genuinely, one of the better sides we've faced this season. The errors in the first 10 minutes were mostly our own doing, but their relentless high press meant that we couldn't get any momentum once we'd gone behind. They didn't revert to 11 men behind the ball and constant time wasting either which was refreshing. Had it been for better finishing, they may have done to us what they did to Bolton. It became apparent a little more once we got some fresh legs on why they're where they are in the league. We only needed to carve them open a couple of times to get the job done, but fair play to them, I think they'd have been good value for the points had they held on.

 

They had done there homework, sat the no10 on Connell he's usually the one to get us out that left centre backs and Robert's to do the distribution and we saw the result. Played Styles and Kane more centrally in the second half which ment the fullbacks could push on ,good that Collins changed it but the game could have been gone but for there poor finishing.

 

Refreshing to read some sensible and objective comments after a win instead of the “Collins out” and similar derogatory posts. Also I think Carlisle’s performance debunks the regular comments that this is a league of poor teams. They are second bottom but came with a game plan which they implemented, worked hard and were only let down by poor finishing. They also beat Bolton away 3-0. Perhaps the issue with some of our fans is that they go to Oakwell to see Barnsley win instead of watching a game of football with two teams. Perhaps I may be in the minority but whilst I am a football fan I am a Barnsley supporter.

 

Its always good to hear things from the 'other side', especially before a game, because we can lose it a bit as fans after a game can't we lol.
Here's what one of theirs posted to me a few days ago, about thoughts and hopes for the season etc.

"It’s a large step-up from L2. We came to the party late after the Play off Final with no real plan, and from there we've played catch-up. I think survival was the main aim but we still have too many L2 standard players, and it’s not working. I think that we’ve conceded in 20 consecutive games and watched points fly out of the window, as we have trouble scoring. Now we have money but our perennial problem still exists, we’re a bit too far north for a lot of players!. My own expectation was to finish about 16th, but right now that’s pie in the sky."