Doncaster Rovers 4 Barnsley 0 - Sorry Paul, it's time to resign!

passion - as i try to describe the most spineless performance by a Barnsley

side in a long time.

Was this the same side that recently went unbeaten in thirteen games?

The Reds lined up with Paul Reid and Tony Vaughan at the centre of

defence and pushed Antony Kay into midfield. Bobby Hassell returned at

right back while Neil Austin was pushed over to left back replacing the

dropped Tom Williams. As for the rest of the team, Paul Hart will probably

say we started 4-3-3 but it looked suspiciously like 4-5-1 to me.

The Reds tactics looked doomed to failure from the off as Rovers probed

down the right and put in at least four dangerous crosses with the

right-footed Austin looking totally isolated at left back. Paul Hart's narrow

formation gave the speedy Rovers wide players plenty of opportunities and

it was a surprise it only took them 16 minutes to take the lead through Greg

Blundell.

Hart swiftly put Kay back into the centre of defence and Reid back in

midfield but the game changed little as the Reds failed to match Rovers

workrate and commitment.

A farcical second goal arrived on the half hour. Austin had ample

opportunity to set the Reds on the attack but his lack of a left foot led him to

pass back instead - Kay eventually received the ball on the edge of his own

area and once again proved hes not a centre-back by taking too long to

clear despite two Rovers attackers on him and gifting Blundell a second

goal.

Game over...probably but any hope of a comeback swiftly evaporated as

Tony Vaughan came in high and late near the Rovers dugout and was red

carded for violent conduct. Dave Penney seemed incensed by the

tackle...surely its good to see these challenges in derby games eh Dave ;)

Tom Williams came on for Chris Shuker in the second half - and played on

the left wing but the game changed little despite the Reds been down to ten

men. Rovers dominated as the Reds fans endured the cold and a bit of

snow in a very quiet Belle Vue.

A fat pub team player called John Doolan notched the third from outside the

area (Reds players take note, you are allowed to shoot from distance) and

the agony was completed by Paul Green who found himself unmarked a

yard from goal from a corner!

The Reds man of the match was once again Michael Chopra - who worked

tirelessly despite the apathy shown by his team mates and the manager.

Sadly, Chopra wont be here next season - hes good enough for a

Championship team if not the Premiership. And with plenty of other players

out of contract in the summer - including Burns, Kay, Austin - and loanees (Turnbull and Nardiello) likely to leave, is Paul Hart the man to build

a promotion winning team next season?

Results overall say NO. We have an appalling record in this season's many derby games and this is down to attitude and commitment. While sick of the managerial merry go round at Oakwell, I'd much rather have a proven manager like Ronnie Moore in charge (even if hes a Millers legend). If not, maybe Neil Redfearn - at least he'd have the fans backing.

I thought this season would end with the Reds safely in mid table and giving

youngsters like Jarman, Joynes and Baker some first team games but

under Hart, we could well be looking over our shoulder at the relegation

places.