Well despite the 3 points (and no doubt that's the most important factor), the overall performance fell a little short. Walsall were just not in the game in the first half - one shot in 45 minutes sums up the threat from the visitors. Second half and especially after the sending off, Walsall seemed to throw caution to the wind, played 3 at the back, 3 up front and looked much more of a threat going forward. So, what about the Reds? Played well in patches, but that's the frustration, it's only in patches. You do get the feeling that if we could be a bit more consistent, not only from match to match but during the match as well, then there is the real chance of a top six finish. First goal came through an excellent cross from Shuker (yes folks that's "excellent cross from Shuker") onto the head of Richards who laid it nicely into the path of Hayes. First time shot from a difficult angle by Hayes across the keeper and a couple of bobbles later it was in the back of the net and 1 - 0 to Barnsley (yes folks that's " first time shot from Hayes ....in the back of the net") A few minutes later a superb pass from McPhail (yes folks that's "superb pass from McPhail") to Hayes who with instant control and shot forced the keeper into a very good save (yes folks that's , ah b*ll*x, gerrin bored). Hayes movement was excellent in the first half and he doesn't appear to be a 'lazy' player to me. Shuker limped off just before half time to be replaced by Devanney Second half and Walsall did start to pose more of a threat but without really causing too many alarm bells to ring. That is until the sending off and then with the change in formation (and attitude) the game really opened up. No real surprise then for Walsall to equalise, with a bit of a **** up between Watts and Kay, both of who seemed to think the ball was going out which left Fryatt with a simple tap in. End to end stuff now and Barnsley really should have put the match beyond any doubt as Walsall, with 3 at the back, ran the risk of being caught on the break - and they were, don't know how many times, but we just couldn't make it count. Wrong choice of pass, or just a poor pass, but all too often it came to nothing. That is until a defender (or keeper?) intervened and played a cross from Devanney right into the path of Hayes who thumped it home from about 10 yards. Nardiello replaced Hayes and Jarman came on for Richards. Didn't change much in the pattern of the game though. Both sides had chances late on, with probably the best falling to Barnsley after the Walsall keeper had joined his attack for a corner and the ball broke to Jarman wide on the left. A moments hesitation, pass inside to Howard who's lob from 40/50 yards dropped wide of the very vacant goal. Official MOM went to Howard, personally I found it hard to single any one player out who had been consistent enough over the 90 minutes to warrant a MOM award - no reflection on Howard, but he didn't appear any better, or any worse, than most of his team mates. Still, despite the misgivings about 'quality of product', the scorline reads 2 - 1 to the Reds and keeps us in a reasonable position. Always think that the indication of how a season may go, comes at the end of October - so here we are knocking on the door of a top six place. If we can just find that lttle bit more consistency ....
We Can Ask For A........ better performance ? YES WE CAN. 1. nardiello is a bone idle player who cant read the line. offside about 6 times in the short time he was on, had a couple of great chances, and had the nerve to have a go at jarman after that great run when nardiello should have done more to get on the end of it. 2. hayes goal was bad goalkeeping so i aint about to sing his praises yet. i would still rather see richards and jarman up front, instead of mr justify my fee and mr always offside. 3. walsall had 9 first teamers injured. then one went off injured early and they went down to 10 men. yet all that said we still struggled and hate to think what would have happened if merson, staunton etc was playing. 4. kaye had another stinker and id like someone to give a genuine reason why hes in the starting 11. 5. as i predicted id have catering problems. not flipping lids for the drinks and some idiot not looking where they were going knocked me the asshole. 6. how slow was the staff in the box office ? took ages to get a ticket for darlington. why they couldnt send them through the post i dont know. 7. howard missing the open goal. no need to kick it in the air. he only had to hit it along the floor. 8. jarman one on one. should have broke the net NOW THE GOOD POINTS: 1. another win. playing crap and still winnning you cant complain much. 2. a good ref. he wasnt card happy and there man deserved to be sent off. 3. steven watt debut. got stuck in that much we ended up with 6 minutes injury time in the match for his 3 times he needed the trainer. 4. brian howard. this guy is class and is only going to get better.
about hayes' fee i dot think he is beingplayed to justify his fee. Quite the opposite, because if we dont play him then his fee stays quite low. Only by playing him will his fee rise to the £150k mark.
Note to self "Hayes is No 8 and was subbed' Howard is No 11 and scored the 2nd goal" Tsk. Well spotted though.
RE: We Can Ask For A........ I'm one of Kay's (note that is Kay and not Kaye) biggest critics but I thought he had a good game today, particularly in first half. Watts looks excellent - my MotM. Nardiello - what is wrong with this guy, lazy beyond belief and that's when he comes on as sub! Hayes - nicely shinned his goal but missed some excellent oppotunities and looks a bit short of pace.
