I'd viewed this game as a bit of a yardstick. That's how I went into it anyway. The early signs this season have been promising, but there's been little in the games for me. We could easily have lost more than the one, but we've also had to deal with plenty of adversity at times. Whether it's the red cards, the early loss of Roberts, or a lack of depth in the squad - up top in particular. So by and large, I've been impressed. I was a Hourihane advocate before he'd even got the job, but I wasn't sure the squad was good enough for a top six push. Mid-table was my prediction before a ball was kicked, with room to reassess at the closure of the transfer window. So yeah. Going into today I had to be more than happy with our start, but really keen to see how we matched up with everyone's favourites for promotion, and off the back of that solitary defeat at Wimbledon. Unfortunately, I'm not completely any wiser thanks to the sending off of their goalkeeper 36 minutes into the contest. That said, we'd taken the lead and with 11v11 I felt it was a pretty even affair we were edging. So no complaints from me. We had the rub of the green for once this afternoon though. It has to be said. From the spill that DKD gobbled up, to the Connell goal and a number of refereeing calls that would have angered me had I been a Town supporter. That's not to downplay or criticise the Reds. But it felt lovely for once to fall the right side of decisions, whether they were right or not. It seemed a nailed-on red card challenge to be fair. Only seen it the once, but the 'keeper had a bit of a mare there. And to get a second goal 10 minutes later, to get into half time with a two-goal lead was massive. I was happy too, to see us play with common sense after the break. Very little to gain by going hell for leather and potentially costing yourself a goal. Just keep the ball, draw them on etc. However, as the half developed we took it a little too far for my liking and began to drop deeper and deeper. It reminded me of some of Clarke's games last year, when defending leads. Thankfully, Huddersfield didn't create much and the arrival of both Kelly and Farrugia got us moving forward again. And DKD eventually grabbed his second of the game which felt like the knockout blow at the time. But there was still time for Ogbeta to put the only dampener on the game with his careless backpass. But I've no interest in focusing on that. It happens and he played well. They all did to be honest, to varying levels. I felt Watson was impeccable. So much so that I was begging him to be okay when he went down hurt at one point. To play right back in this system, I don't think we could have found a better option. Terrific player and only when he moved across to the left did the left winger finally get some joy. Shepherd was superb too. He seems to have his detractors on here, and I do appreciate that his rawness often makes for uncomfortable viewing at times. But he's solid, he gives 100%, reminds me of Chris Morgan on occasion. So good in the air and better at playing the ball into midfield than he's credited for. And out of position. I won't mention them all, but DKD was back to the version we've fallen in love with over the last 12 months. He played like he was drunk the last two matches. Definitely sober this afternoon, and four goals from six games whilst nowhere near his best says it all really. The other player I'll mention is Luca. He had one iffy moment in possession, but for the majority of the game he bossed that area of the pitch. And yes, it was against 10 men for an hour or whatever, but even prior to that, he looked the part. And that's against the consensus 'best' midfield in the division. Why the booing of Kane by the way? I don't get it. What a fabulous first month of the season. Flying in the league, and into round three of the first cup competition. Even those who didn't want Conor in the job - or didn't think he warranted the chance - must be pleased with how we're faring after the first eight games of football. Let's see how Monday goes. Again, I'm one of those who thinks we should be selling folk for big money if the offers are there. It's about sustainability and having a club for me. It's not a lack of ambition. Because if we go on a bad run and do end up mid-table again, the talk will return to debts and how **** the board are. Funny how that goes quiet when we're winning on the pitch. Not for me it doesn't. If we're losing millions, then you sell a player if you're being offered six or seven times the profit. And back the people to recruit again. I appreciate my last point won't be shared by all. But other opinions are out there. Up the Tykes x Ratings: Cooper 7 Watson 9 Shepherd 8 Earl 7 Ogbeta 7 (de Gevigney 6) Connell 9 Bland 7 (Kelly 7) Phillips 7 Vickers 7 McGoldrick 7 (Farrugia 7) Keillor-Dunn 9
Good read again - thought we were the better team even with 11v11 - knocked the ball round d well with lots of intensity. They didn't seem to cope with us - we need that window to close now and we can hopefully keep hold of the big players
Good read. I thought the ref got the big decisions right. I thought we were edging the game with 11v11 before the sending off. 2nd half we just shut up shop although mcgoldrick should have made it 3 nil early in the 2nd half when he was put one on one with a great ball from Vickers, touch let him down massively. Ratings look about right. Special mention to Jack shepard who I though it was his best game in a barnsley shirt today.
I agree we were the better team from the off. I honestly thought I'd be happy with a draw before the whistle but once we got playing it was ours to lose, even before the red card. Saw that back on the tv in ponty and it's a clear red . I actually thought the ref had a good game, seemed in control, let things flow but wasn't afraid to award free kicks. I thought Connell was outstanding, made life really difficult for udders and his experience got us the decisions our way. Chuffed he scored too! Conor's doing a cracking job, couldn't be happier with the start to the season! You reds!
Can't disagree with anything you say there YT, won't even bother to give my own ratings as I would probably just cut and paste yours. Good read.
Very good team performance today...scared me a bit first 15 mins of second half but as you say we "managed " the game out...Think Watson is a proper right back and a great signing....him or Connell for man of the match.
As others have said I thought we were better in the first half 11 v 11 and got the ideal second before half time. Second half we didn't seem to know wether to stick or twist and if they had scored in that 20 minute period when they were on top it could have got interesting. The injury to bland, which was a shame as I thought he was very good and subsequent delays seemed to take the sting out of the game and they didn't seem a threat anymore until ogbetas howler. I mentioned in a thread earlier in the week about how we should play DKD in the position he scored 19 from last season rather than out wide to accommodate DmG and that's what happened today resulting in his best performance of the season. Connell was immense in the first half, head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch and even though Jonathan Bland has only just signed a new contract we should be looking to extend it even further because in my opinion he is only going to get better and better
Good read that mate. And fully agree about Watson, he looks a class act. Nothing spectacular but he defends well by seemingly just keeping it simple and links up well with the midfield. Other than Ogbeta's brain fart, I thought that the back four were excellent from the first minute.
I thought we looked comfortable all over the pitch, and whilst I appreciate that we had the extra man, I thought we managed the game really well. The referee had a good game also, which was a pleasant surprise: long may it continue. Watson was my MOTM, I thought he was assured and composed, but the whole team worked hard for each other and there seems to be an great understanding between all the players, something we haven’t seen for a while.
The difference good full backs can make to a defence.... I thought we looked like a really well drilled team today. The shape was excellent, options off the ball, players covering others when they attacked, Ogbeta pushed forward to give an overload on the left, and the press was focused and coordinated. Noticed the work Keogh was doing with the back 4 in the warm up to get them playing as a unit. Was really pleased with the workrate too. McGoldrick, Phillips in particular chasing back and supporting the full backs. Can we move those ******* sky bet signs though before someone gets properly injured.
Agree on pretty much every point. If this was a yardstick, we're in a positive place... for now. They managed the game very well 2nd half. I wondered if it might be sensible to take Luca off at HT or on 60, as him getting a 2nd yellow and evening up the numbers was the only way I could see them getting back in the game. But he showed real maturity to make sure the ref didn't have that opportunity. I thought Kelly did really well when he came on and would give him an 8, and I feel like you've done Phillips down a little too with his mark. And you're right, if the offers are there then DKD and potentially Phillips will have to go. The fact that they were in the team suggests though that the interest hasn't been there up to press. And if it means I get to watch them till January at least, then I'm grateful to the chairman for funding that.
We’ve played our best assets and they’ve performed well. That can only drive up their value and also our position if we have to negotiate a sale. I’d be the 1st to acknowledge the backing on Tuesday morning if we retain them all, but conversely I’d also be the 1st to say it’s understandable if one or two go for ‘big money’. From what I’ve read from various platforms, none of the players are driving a move out of the club and are settled here.
Everybody's rightfully named the big performers today, but I want to shout out Jonathan Bland. He looks so much better in the middle than he does at right-back - with him, Yoganathan and Kelly it's a position where we look ridiculously strong.
Based on the data/numbers aren’t they. By technology. Not the eye test. But I think they’re useful to look at.
Says something, when Russell and Yoganathan didn’t even get on. If we can get another centre half of quality and one or two up top, the bench and depth will really give Conor a chance, and I’ll reshape my prediction.
Until the sending off I felt it was two decent teams on the pitch but we were a bit better. We certainly had a lot more intent than first half’s against Rotherham and Peterborough especially. The sending off changed the game massively and from that point on I thought we controlled the game pretty well. The 3rd goal killed it but I always felt we’d be ok despite it. As for transfers, I agree with you re:selling players. In fact, I think we should be actively trying to sell one of our midfielders. We have decent cover so can afford to lose one of them. I like Russell but he’d be the obvious one to move on.