We were awful. I didn't need to sleep on it to realise that though. I suspect, like many, this was my first away day in quite a while, the up turn in form (and meeting up with a Derby fan) tricked me into giving me misplaced hope. What we do need to remember though is that Derby are effectively 21 points better than us and if they could afford the players that had, they'd be in the camp of 'not going up, not doing down, couldn't give a fk'. On the field though crikey. I'm not one for post match analysis, I'll leave that for someone else (I particularly like Red Rain and Bossman's overview). I ask this though, what has happened to Callum Brittain this season? I can forgive him for not putting a shot on target, but he can't cross, he can't attack, he can't defend, he can't hold the ball, he can't seem to professional footballer (Sorry that is a little over the top but I thought he was poor). At one point I thought we were missing Jordan Williams, but we weren't because in a crap team display he is always crap, but in a good team display he's good (against 'boro was excellent). Talking of last Saturday, when we brought three players off the bench which were previously starters, we struggled. I appreciate 'boro were putting the pressure on, but we really struggled and playing five minutes more, we'd have lost that. Back to yesterday and Josh Benson coming on. Not wishing to be harsh on the lad, but what does he bring? I thought his freekicks were meant to be good, but not from what I've seen of late. Corners. Most of the few corners that we had were taken and put straight into the goalkeepers hands. None of our players anywhere close. Their first goal, I need to see it again, but it appeared that we just left a man in the middle of the penalty area on his own (other side of pitch and two people have suggested he was offside but I'm going on memory and seeing it live from other side of pitch.). Clark Odour He looked ok when he came on, but then I think he was playing in his natural position. I know lots of managers have dropped him, but maybe if we don't play him a striker, and play to his skills he'd be good (and better than Kitchen, Brittain etc). Halme - what does he need to do to get a chance in midfield or for ten minutes at the end when we're losing? Strikers - Morris played. Woodrow injured. Cole (on the boro' performance, not a pro footballer). We had about 6, where have the rest of them gone? In fact, I've just checked, we have 8 (EIGHT) first team strikers on our books. In fact, I just checked, 3 out on loan. Are Victor and Leyla out of favour or injured? Fans Boisterous but not dicks on the train, with lots of singing and banging. It gets tiresome after a while though, and if was a 'normal' passengers, I'd be pissed off. Football trains need to make a come back or people need to respect their surroundings. Neither are likely. Fans in the stadium. Having read other posts about fans, I have to say I thought it was good day. I sat (well stood) in my allocated seat which happened to be the very back row. Nice view, decent atmosphere no trouble seen. A quick word on Derby fans. If they have a club, they are still going down, so not sure about there songs about us going down. I hate the song "xxx is a **** hole, I wish we were at home", but they did at least do a nice twist on it (which I'd not heard before) which went, "Barnsley's a **** hole, no wonder you're still here". Bit of "bantz". Anyway, my thoughts. That's it really. oh, we're down. Well, we are if we play like that again. Edits to fix spelling and grammar
Yesterday was my only away day since Blackpool. I only went so I could spend the day with my eldest who I’d not seen in a while. I was relieved when our seats were away from the lads who just can’t behave. It’s just embarrassing to be a Barnsley fan when they get off the train at Sheffield and just surge through the station with no consideration for anyone in their path. I used to love away days on the train, but it’s not much fun any more. Totally agree that the special trains should make a comeback.
The rail companies can't risk it though, can they? Who pays for the inevitable damage? The decent travelling public of course, in increased fares and more over crowded trains. Sickens me that morons in society get away with being morons while decent people have to put up with it.
Yes, It’s unlikely to happen, but from my experiences this season, the trains are getting damaged anyway - just with ordinary passengers having to suffer it. It’s noticeable that the posturing/ singing / banging only really happens when there’s an audience they want to intimidate - prime example being when they are marching through Sheffield station. I think if it’s just them in a train with no one to intimidate, they are less trouble. Not just Barnsley fans - Hull fans were the same on the way to Oakwell.
Good post that. And agree that Derby’s banter was pretty witty and they generated a good atmosphere too. Their ‘great escape’ if they manage it, will be amazing for their fans, despite the rest of the league, particularly those of us below them, still feeling cheated. On Callum Brittain, I agree. He is either brilliant or terrible and, this season, has mostly been terrible. I still think Schopp was responsible for wrecking the confidence of many. Whereas Jordan Williams is rarely brilliant but never terrible. I have labelled him, before, a consistent 7/10 performer so view his injury as a big blow. And the point about Cole. He needs to take a look at himself if his manager sees fit to leave him on the bench and push a tired centre half (Helik) up front for the last ten mins instead of bringing him on.
Maybe that was Poyas's intention. I can't see any other reason you'd do that. It also highlights the strange decision to only have one forward on the bench (I don't consider Oduor to be a forward). Where's Victor? Is he injured? In a choice between Victor and Cole, I know which one I'd go for.....
I nearly put exactly the same myself but without knowing if Vic is actually injured or not. Especially as he always seems to pull his once a season masterclass against Derby before reverting back to lightweight passenger disguised as heavyweight boxer.
Thanks for that. I genuinely did not know. But it leads me to, yet again, ask the question, what the hell is going off on our training ground for so many players to get injured whilst not playing competitive football? Are we feeling the effects of not paying Sedgy his worth and keeping him? This didn’t happen on his watch.
Whilst I disagree we were awful yesterday. We aren't going to win every game. The overreaction from yesterday's OTT. I will make the post about the fans. We have a group of young fans that are really starting to F me off. It's always the same every time we get over the 1k mark. and don't get me on to the nonsense they sing. We lost last week..... No we didn't. We've lost the ball..... it's a **** song and it's not original at all....... Heart of a pea the lot of them.
