Why do they do this to us?
5 games ago fans were settling down to an end of season climax.
Now with the gap to 6th spot just 5 points the season is again alive and kicking- thanks to an excellent maximum over the Easter Period.
The Reds nearly chucked away the 2 points again here but under Andy Ritchie the team seems to have a steely resolve, and even though they saw a 2 goal lead evaporate in 2 minutes heads never went down and they fought their way back despite a second successive penalty miss from Michael Chopra ( he would make up for it within seconds)
Plaudits must also go to Ritchie for the hunger and fire he seems to have once again put into Danny Nardiello. Under Paul Hart, Nardiello had only plundered a meagre 1 goal this season and that was back in August. Yet in Ritchie's five games Nads has come up with 3 goals ( although his knack of straying offside is still somewhat frustrating).
Barnsley started brightly once again as they looked to build on their excellent hammering of League leaders Luton on Good Friday with another 3 points against Paul Merson's struggling Walsall side who were without a win in 9 games.
One thing Ritchie needs to drill into his team though is that its virtually impossible to walk the ball into the net against a team that comes to Oakwell and sticks 10 men behind the ball. Great link-up play was constantly ended when the ball reached the edge of the area as another pass was being looked for instead of a strike at goal.
It proved the point when the Reds finally took the lead after 37 minutes from a strike from the edge of the area. Antony Kay who again looked shaky at the back picked the ball up and rifled a shot that seemed to squirm under the body of Walsall keeper Andy Oakes to give the Reds a deserved half-time lead.
When the Reds then forged 2-0 up within 3minutes of the restart after some great link-up play from Shuker and Chopra saw the ball come across goal for Nardiello to slide in, it looked Game Set and Match.
But as all diehard Tykes know, things are never that simple with Barnsley no matter who plays and whos charge.
Two goals in two minutes saw Walsall level.
Firstly after 51 minutes another defensive mistake from Kay saw new signing Julian Joachim scamper away and fire past Flinders with Hassell inches from making a block.
Cue the biting of nails.
53minutes 2-2.
Bobby Hassell brought down Jorge Leitao out on the left and was duly booked. Player-manager Paul Merson (who seemed insistent to use the outside of his foot all game) curled the free kick over and Leitao glanced the ball home.
For most teams that would be classed as unbelievable, for Barnsley its the norm.
All credit must go to the lads though as they kept going and grabbed the winner ten minutes from time.
Chopra went down under the challenge of Emblen in the box for what looked a dubious penalty.
Chopra,who had placed his penalty, at Luton this time went for power. He sent Oakes the wrong way but the ball shuddered off the crossbar. The Reds didn’t rest though and the ball was worked back out to substitute Simon Johnson who skinned his marker before playing the ball across goal for a very relieved and unmarked Chopra to just prod home.
Walsall could still have nicked an equaliser at the end when Wright who had been anonymous in the first half but a menace in the second blazed over from 7yards and Oakwell breathed a sigh of relief.
5 points looks tasty but with Bournemouth, Brentford, Swindon, Doncaster, Bradford and Bristol City all in better positions it will still take a massive effort to make the play-offs. The fixture list is kind to the Reds though as after Hull City this weekend the Reds dont play anybody in the top half (or above them) for the remainder of the season.
Hope is still there!
Player Ratings:
Scott Flinders: This lad gets better with every game. Looks sound at crosses and took everything in his stride. had no chance with goals. 7
Dale Tonge: again tigerish in the tackle and his passes were spot-on. Subbed. 7
Bobby Hassell: A new player since Christmas. Made one superb tackle in the first half he had no right to make and was first to nearly every ball that came his way. Will definitely be sneaking up the rails for Player Of The Year. 8
Antony Kay: Its a good job Hassell there. Extremely shaky and his mistake brought Walsall back into the game. Took his goal well but doesn’t fit in with a pass and move team. 6
Robbie Williams: stepped in for his injured namesake Tom and looked solid also got forward whenever he could. 7
Chris Shuker. Followed his excellent display at Luton with another top-notch effort here. Caused Walsall no end of problems. Was even subbed then brought back on to cap his day. 8
Stephen McPhail: 2 brilliant displays IN A ROW. Yes that’s what I said. Again looked the playmaker and even went in for 50-50 balls. Could have a big say in whether the Reds seal a play-off spot or not. 8
Jacob Burns: Abit quiet over the last couple of games but never stops running and didn’t put a foot wrong. 7
Nicky Wroe: Played a few good passes but just doesn't look good enough I'm afraid. The team looked better once Johnson replaced him. Subbed. 6
Daniel Nardiello. Notched his 3rd goal in Andy Ritchie's 5 games in charge and was always willing for the ball. Kept straying offside though. Subbed. 7
Michael Chopra: Won't be here next season. His touch and movement is much to good for this league. Missed his second penalty in a row but didn’t sulk and was in the right place just a couple of seconds later to notch the winner.
Subs Simon Johnson ( for Nicky Wroe 69) An inspired substitution. See Hart that’s what happens when players get brought on with more than half a minute to go. Skinned his marker superbly to set up Chopra winner. 7
Paul Reid ( for Dale Tonge 81) slotted into the centre back position with Bobby Hassell moving to right back. Brought on to make sure we didn’t collapse again. 6
Tom Baker ( for Daniel Nardiello 81) a Chris Shuker look-alike. Was lively in the 9 minutes he was on. Another good prospect. 6