Tarn v Trotters......the OFFICIAL MDT

Can honestly aqy I haven't thought about him until reading this post!

 

Enjoyed that game again. Thought we played very well for the most part against a strong looking side who I expect to be up there at the end. That was a game we would have lost last season and but for sending off, I was confident in our ability to finish them off.

Not sure why people are having a proper go at the referee for the sending off. I saw it again on the concourse telly on the way out and, whilst he got the ball, he clearly followed through straight down the Bolton guys shin. Clear yellow card. I like Yonganathan but he needs to reign in his temper because he does like to get involved and I am not sure how he would ever think that his reaction in the first half would result in anything other than a card. He was very naive and he needs to learn and cut that side of his game out. CH dropped a boll0ck leaving him on because he was clearly a red card risk. He should have come off at HT for Kelly.

To be honest, there is every chance that Vimal is going to struggle to get back in now because I expect Kelly to come in to replace him and deserve to stay in. Silly silly lad.

I know we want referees to be more consistent but he was not wrong to send Yonganathan off and we will have worse referees than that this season for sure.

Back to the game - I love how we look much fitter than last season, everybody looks up for it and in it together. As long as we keep DKD, Phillips and Connell, this could be a very good season. Connell man of the match for me today. His best game for a while.

 

I agree with everything you say bar the 2nd booking vimal won the ball. He didn't complain much but for me it wasn't even a foul. I said at half time he should have come off for Kelly as ball winning is a big part of his game and it did give the ref a decision to make but for me he won the ball.

 

On the Yoga one, I thought the 2nd yellow was just about the right call. Harsh as he'd won the ball but unluckily slipped and followed through into their lads ankle. But I can see why the ref gave it.

It's the first one, it's just silliness, I'm sure Conor will be saying that to him, hopefully he'll take heed. In the midfield you can't afford to pick up those silly yellows as it leaves you on a tightrope when it comes to competing for the rest of the game.

He's young, he'll learn. He's looking a decent player though.

 

Same as Lofthouse - utility man, not very good in any position you like.

 

Well played today. Really unlucky not to win the game - obviously Yoganathan's red cost us. He's been playing well, so hope this doesn't harm his confidence. We'll be fine with Kelly there on Tuesday. As some others have said, the second yellow was slightly predictable. I wondered if he'd come off at half time.

Overall a really positive performance, and I'm really optimistic about our chances this season. Hourihane has built a great atmosphere around the team and around Oakwell.

A few shout outs to players I thought were poor last weekend but good today - Ogbeta had a good game, Earl looked great aparat from a few dodgy passes in the first half and Cooper was brilliant. The defence overall looked so much better. Think Shepherd makes a big difference.

Most of the team played really well, but my MOTM would have been Vickers. Manages to keep the ball in all sorts of tricky positions - so useful to have him. The whole forward line can actually get their foot on the ball and play. Great to see.

Player ratings:
Cooper - 8
Bland - 7
Shepherd - 7 (that mistake in the first half could have cost us)
Earl - 8
Ogbeta - 8
Connell - 8
Yoganathan - 6
Phillips - 8
Keillor-Dunn - 7
McGoldrick - 8 - brilliantly taken goal after a pretty quiet game from him
Vickers - 9

Kelly - 6

 

Oh, and Luca was my MOTM, just in front of Vickers.

 

This team has got it. The work rate in that second half with 10 men was something else. For all their possession, I didn't think Notlob were ever going to score and it took a goalmouth scramble and toe-poke to eventually get a goal. I was disappointed when they scored but happy enough with the result in the end. If they can fight like that from now till next May, we'll be in the Championship next season.

 

Just abit of inexperience for the 1st one don't get involved

 

Also challenging Bruce Dyer for offsides.

We should keep a count

 

I know we didn't get the win today, but we look to be maturing week on week and growing as a team that's prepared to work hard for each other, it's very pleasing and there's pride back in the shirt.
Can't remember last time I went to oakwell and felt like we've got some grafters and players that can hurt teams.
Need a few more bodies in for depth and a CB that can keep us structured, but we're not far off, it's a long season and hopefully we can stay relatively injury free but I think we can challenge for the top 6.

Really positive signs, the gloom in the ground seems to be lifting and the buy in from the fans is getting there.

 

Really unlucky not to win the game?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5y33ydye3lt#MatchStats

They had more possession, more shots and more shots on target. Their keeper made 1 save and ours 5.

 

I thought McGoldrick was poor bar the goal. And he had what looked like a easier chance 1st half where he should have scored. Quality player and took the goal well though.

 

First half he was offside a few times, missed a sitter, slipped a few times and beat himself once.

But he did score our only goal.

 

Yeah he's got that quality can have a poor game and still get you a goal.

 

It just had to be McAtee didn't it, it was kind of inevitable.
And didn't it say 8 minutes of stoppages, and we played nearly 12 eventually.
The ref was doing his best for them in fairness!!, and we did well to hang on in the end.
Yeah it was one of those take a point type games to begin with, but the good's outnumber the bad's to be honest.
And I'm certainly ok with the first 3 games and 1 cup game.

 

I thought he just lunged / slipped a bit & hit the Bolton player with studs on his ankle.

I felt for him more with the first booking as the Bolton player was deliberately trying to get a reaction off him & unfortunately you’re always going to get booked if you push someone like that.

 

Definitely a good point. I feared the worst with nearly a full half with 10 men.

Maybe so with DKD I don’t really know. I think Yoganathan needs calming down a bit at times. It’s felt a few times like he’s on the verge of snapping over the last year.

 

I’ve got no idea about the laws of the game. I just see players booked regularly even if they win the ball for following through & hitting the opposing player