Barnsley F.C Half Term Report

Last updated : 19 December 2008 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)

1. Heinz Muller

Has done wonderfully well to recover from his horrendous knee injury suffered in January. Displaced Luke Steele for the 0-0 draw at Southampton in September and apart from a error-strewn display in the 3-0 defeat at Ipswich has been impressive again. Rating- B

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 17 Goals: 0

2. Bobby Hassell

Has had to bide his time again this season but whether in midfield of defence the club's longest serving player has always been dependable- highlighted by a fantastic display in the 1-0 defeat to Reading. Probably the last person to deserve to score an own goal at Wolves on Saturday. Rating- C+

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 12 (+6 sub) Goals: 0

3. Rob Kozluk

After an impressive debut season at Oakwell, the first half of this season has been less convincing for the popular full-back. A few late challenges and a terrible second half against Burnley have been his lowlights. On his day however there are few full backs better in the Championship. Rating- D

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 18(+ 1 sub) Goals: 0

4. Darren Moore

Its probably fair to say Moore's Barnsley career so far has been something of a roller-coaster. He became the fans scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season after conceding two penalties in the opening two games against QPR and Crewe in the Carling Cup. It all came to a head when he was sent off in the home game with Doncaster. The Reds were losing 1-0 at the time but ended up winning 4-1 and somehow Moore became a cult hero for it. His performances since returning from suspension were incredible, as the veteran put in a series of commanding performances capped by scoring in the 3-1 win at Charlton. A torn groin in the 2-1 win over Watford has kept him out in recent weeks but he should be fit for Saturday's visit of Plymouth. Rating- C

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 17. Goals: 1

5. Hugo Colace

Had to wait an awfully long time for his international clearance to come through before the former Argentina U21 captain made his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Blackpool in mid September. But since an unconvincing display at Bloomfield Road he has gone on to play an integral part in the team's up and down first 23 games. His fantastic awareness and spot on tackles as a holding midfielder as allowed Anderson De Silva to roam further up the field and Colace has become one of the first names on Simon Davey's team list. Suspended for Saturday. Rating- B+

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 16. Goals: 0

6. Stephen Foster

Appointed captain in the wake of Brian Howard's defection to Sheffield United and nobody is more deserving. One of the most consistent players again this campaign and rarely makes an error. Able at right back but being at his absolute best at centre back. Had a habit of scoring crucial goals this season- the second against Derby in the first victory of the season, equaliser against Doncaster and winner against Watford. Rating- B

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 23. Goals: 3

7. Iain Hume

When Hume became Barnsley's biggest outlay since 1999, many people thought he would hit the headlines for his goal-scoring, and for the first four months of 2008-2009 that is what he did, hitting the first goal of the season at QPR, the opener against Derby, a wonderful effort to make it 4-1 against Doncaster and the opening against Sheffield Wednesday. But what has really hit the local and national headlines for of course is the incident with Chris Morgan which left Hume with a fractured skull! Its probably finished the season for him, and Barnsley may suffer because of it. Rating- B

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 16. Goals: 4

8. Miguel Mostto

Well he's doubled his goal tally in English football this season, its just a pity that tally is two. Got the crucial equaliser against Watford but has once again failed to adapt to the rigours of the Championship. Rating- D

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 2 (+8 sub). Goals: 1

9. Kayode Odejayi

The enigma that is Odejayi has resurfaced again this season. Just the one goal- a meaningless one against Sheffield United has been overshadowed by more outrageous misses. With confidence at an all time low it remains to be seen how he recovers in the second half of the season. Rating- E

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 6 (+14 Sub). Goals: 1

11. Mounir El Haimour

Was by far the club's best performer in a poor pre-season, whilst playing as a wing-back but has struggled when the season has really got underway. Being positioned on the wing has not helped as he doesn't seem to have the pace to be a winger although he has a good range of passing with his left foot. His season was torn by having to miss nearly two months due to fasting for the Muslim celebration of Ramadan. Rating- E

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 6 (+1 sub). Goals: 0

14. Diego Leon

The little Spaniard has had an inconsistent season and is still only remembered for his fantastic free kick at Preston in April. Whilst his flicks and tricks have shown why he started his career at Real Madrid, he seems far too light for the rigours of the Championship as he is easily muscled off the ball. Had probably his best game of the season so far at Wolves. Rating- D

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 11 (+4 sub). Goals: 1

15. Anderson De Silva

Like Muller, has done very well to come back from a knee injury. Apart from a shocker in the 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace he has looked a class act alongside Colace in midfield. When Anderson is on form The Reds usually win with the Nottingham Forest defeat the only exception to that rule. His only problem is his shooting which is often wayward and he's still looking for his first goal for the club. Rating- B

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 14. Goals: 0

17. Luke Steele

A little unlucky to lose his place to Muller but of his seven games this season six ended in defeat and the more calming presence of the giant German forced him out of the side. Rating- C

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 7. Goals: 0

18. Dennis Souza

Apart from his mistake against Reading he looks to be finally ironing out those errors that punctured a great debut season last year. Has been a model of consistently and his recent calf injury is a concern. Was the clubs only ever present but will now be ruled out for Christmas. Rating- B+

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 23. Goals: 0

20. Jamal Campbell-Ryce

Early contender for Player of the Season after a scintillating first half of 2008-2009. His entire pitch run goal against Doncaster will live long into the memory and he has once again shown his ability to unlock tight defences. Rating-A

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 18. Goals: 4

21. Jon Macken

After going 10 games without a goal at the start of the season Super Jon turned it around with four in seven including the winner at Doncaster and two in the 3-1 triumph at Charlton. He notched one more in the 3-2 triumph to give him five goals for the season. Although a hardly a prolific return he is the club's top scorer and the most likely of the current set to strikers to hit the back of the net. Rating-B

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 19 (+4 as sub). Goals: 6

23. Marciano Van Homoet

Lost his place in the side for nearly four months after his reckless red card in the opening day defeat at QPR. Whilst his pace enables him to get up and the right or left flank he still needs to tighten up defensively. A point highlighted by the fact he was torn to pieces by Michael Kightly and Kevin Foley at Wolves. Rating- D

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 4 (+3 as sub). Goals: 0

24. Michael Coulson

Like Muller and Anderson before him has done well to fight back from knee surgery but has found first team opportunities limited. Despite the club's scoring troubles Coulson has made just two sub appearances. Rating- E

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 0(+ 2 as sub). Goals: 0

25. Martin Devaney

Ever the inconsistent. Either breath-taxingly brilliant or woefully poor. Unfortunately the first half of 2008-2009 has mostly produced the latter. He totally destroyed Sheffield United's Sun Jihai at Oakwell but was shocking at Birmingham. Rating- D-

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 15 (+ 3 as sub). Goals: 0

27. Jamie Cureton

After scoring 113 goals in 275 games Davey has brought the experienced Cureton in loan to try and grab some much needed goals. Has yet to deliver in four games. Rating- E

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 3(+ 1 as sub). Goals: 0

29. Maceo Rigters

The top-scorer at the 2007 European U21 Championships was expected to take the Championship by storm when Simon Davey took him on a season long loan from Blackburn in August, but he has been a huge let-down. Yet to get off the mark he has looked distinctly off the pace and a tad overweight. There was tiny shoots of promise when he came on at Molinuex however. Rating- G

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 3(+ 10 as sub). Goals: 0

31. Reuben Noble-Lazarus

Hit the headlines when he became the Football League's youngest ever player in the 84th minute of a 3-0 defeat at Ipswich in September and is tipped to be a real star of the future. Came off the bench in the next game- the 4-1victory over Oakwell and he got a rapturous reception with the stadium in party mood. Hasn't featured in the match day squad since but at his tender age he needs to be nurtured properly. Rating- D

2008-2009 Appearances so far (up to 13/12/08): 0(+ 2 as sub). Goals: 0

NB: Only players currently at the club have been featured so that is why there is no Brian Howard, Simon Whaley or Gary Teale.

NB: Only players who have appeared are featured so that is why there is no Andy Johnson, Jacob Butterfield, Luke Potter, Kyle Letheren or Jamil Adam.