Barnsley v Peterborough - random thoughts kind of report

I say random because this is totally off the cuff without the benefit of watching the whole match replay. In other words, it's pretty much from memory and written without any kind of planning or thinking about it. So, in the words of Led Zepp some years ago, let's "Ramble On".

The day almost got off to a dodgy start for me because I foolishly decided to head south on the A61 through Leeds and onto the M621/M1. My usual route is Wetherby/A1/M1 but I thought, seeing as it's Boxing Day, I'll take the shorter drive via Leeds. Bad decision! The route takes me quite close to Elland Road and had I had the good sense to check the fixtures beforehand I would have avoided the area. As it wasn't that far off 2pm when I was passing that way I suffered the inevitable delays. Luckily I managed to wriggle my way through it and made it to Barnsley in good time.

Like everyone else I was a bit concerned to hear that our big number 19 was absent and, at first, there was no explanation for it. I immediately thought the worst - he's been left out pending a big-money move next week. It turns out though that he has been ill for a few days so all we can do is wish Kieffer a speedy recovery and hope that his agent has not been too busy. As things turned out he was barely missed because the players on the pitch moved the ball around mostly at ground level, with speed and (mostly) crisp and precise passing movements. I know that it's already been said that we gave the ball away a bit too often but how can a team avoid that if their game is based on such a rapid passing style of play? All I can say about that is that it was, (again mostly) a joy to watch. To be honest I cannot remember us having so much possession, winning so many tackles and picking up so many second balls that, on another day, would have gone to the opposition.

I suppose we all expected a better show from a visiting team who have won plenty of away matches and were just ahead of us in the table. I didn't go to London Road for the 4-0 demolition but I'm sure those that did will have had more idea what was on the cards. The result was ONLY 2-0 this time but that earlier scoreline could easily have been repeated. I suppose you could say that the game got off to a fairly pedestrian start and the crowd were quiet as a result. But then, slowly but surely, we began to get some momentum going and the chances started to come. It soon became clear to me that we were going to win this one. I had no fear of their previous free-scoring exploits and, after all, they only had Ivan Toney playing centre forward. What was there to worry about?

Dimitri Cavaré has had his fair share of criticism lately but this looked like being one of his better games and, sure enough, his strength and quick feet set up a brilliant first goal. I must admit I moaned a bit as the move developed because it looked like he was taking too wide again, and the ball would run out for a goal kick. But then, magically, he got in an extra stride and pulled back a peach of a ball for Alex Mowatt to ram home at the near post. Mowatt's role in that was superb as well because he checked back in the first instance but then took a step forward to give himself a yard of space and the ball was despatched clinically.

My man of the match Cauley Woodrow almost doubled that lead close to half time with a neat header that just went wide but he put that behind him early in the second half with our goal of the season so far. Mike Bahre played a simple ball down the East Stand touchline and Woodrow collected while instantly turning in to make some space. This is a feature of his play that is becoming more and more evident; his quick feet and speed of thought are bamboozling defences every week and, until some opposition thug takes him out of the game, he will carry on doing it every match. Even when he had made that space you still saw nothing much on from that distance but then, suddenly, he swung that right boot with such power that the ball went arrow-like into the far top corner. The ground erupted with a noise something like we heard when SSW was putting Walsall away in that play-off semi final. It was a special goal, from a special talent. We are lucky to have him and I hope our board don't get any crazy ideas about selling him on in January.

The game now looked safe for me but as that half wore on we had a host of other chances to make it seven or eight. One of these days we are going to give a team such a hiding and yesterday Peterborough deserved it. Cam McGeehan could have had a couple, with one flashing past the post and another crying out for a simple dink over the keeper instead of hitting it right at him. Then Bahre took one off Woodrow when he should have left it to Cauley, thus giving the linesman the chance to flag for offside. The second half was pretty much one-way traffic although Posh did force Adam Davies into a good near-post save.

Their much-heralded midfielder Marcus Maddison didn't do himself any favours by riling the crowd with his antics and, as a result, his game suffered badly. Their other so-called stars faded badly against a Reds side who were simply too good for them. Some of our passing movements were breathtaking and they couldn't cope with it. It could only be a mistake from us that would gift them something and we very nearly did that. The superb Kenny Dougall slipped up from one such error, gifting the ball to the onrushing Toney. It looked very much like a red-card foul but, miraculously, he got away with it. I have yet to watch it on here, in slow motion, but after a string of baffling decisions Mr Boyeson finally gave one our way. Lucky, certainly. Fully deserved though, because the away team got nothing from this game and that is exactly how it should have been.

It wasn't a perfect performance by any means, but it was a very good one. Players like Cavaré have earned rave reviews from opposition fans all season and yesterday he showed what a good player he can be. They all did in the end. There wasn't a weak link in the team and, incredibly, our talisman centre forward was not missed. If we can make it nine points out of nine this weekend the trip to Luton will be set up nicely. I will take a point all day long from there but all three are possible. Let's not all go into meltdown though if we lose!

 

Thanks PoR - I concur with your views about Cavare - I thought he had a good game both going forward and defensively. I also thought Pottsy had his best game for a while, hope he's returning to form. Interesting in his piece in the programme he recognised he hasn't been at his best too. I also agree with your MotM selection, thought Cauley was excellent.

One other random thought from me, isn't it about time Oakwell Lane was closed between 4.45pm and 5.30pm on matchdays? After every game there are issues with cars squeezing past supporters waling home and for me the sensible think would be to take away the risk of someone getting hurt.

 

Being saying that for over 50 years even when there weren’t nearly as many cars on the road

 

Oakwell Lane after this match was the worst I've seen it. There was gridlock half way up because of cars parked either side and idiotic drivers trying to plough their way through the crowds walking up. You often see drivers, especially coming down, laughing their heads off because they think they are being clever. Obviously they are not. I wonder if anyone has had their doors kicked in, or mirrors ripped off. Somebody is bound to get hurt some day, either at the junction with Pontefract Road or further up. As I said, it was the worst I've ever seen it on Wednesday and it's easily avoidable. Will the police close the road though, except for residents? Course they won't!