Pathetic, disgraceful and woeful. Nope that isn't a verdict on the performance on Saturday, that's the verdict on the attendance of a meagre 10,907 that came to watch it.
That was the SECOND worst Championship attendance of the weekend. Only the 5,218 at Colchester beats it but they have the excuse of a capacity of 6,340!
Now I know footballs a dear day out these days but that didn't stop 20,000 travelling to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and with the team now doing well in the league they deserve some of those to come through the turnstiles at Oakwell.
Right rant over and onto the match.
Very good. This was a game last season The Reds would easily have lost.
At the back Dennis Souza is becoming THE signing of the summer in the Championship and he kept Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink- players who have played at the very top- quiet up until the 73rd minute when Hasselbaink was left unmarked and Heinz Muller's fingertips just failed to keep the ball out.
Last season Barnsley conceded the most goals in the Championship and although there was a porous start to the opening few games of this season its looking increasingly likely that the Against Goals column will look a lot healthier come May.
After a shaky start Lewin Nyatanga is back to the form that made him a cult hero in his first loan spell at the club, Souza is simply immense (the only reason he didn't get the Man of the Match award on Saturday, I'm sure is because they can't give it him every week!) Whilst Stephen Foster, predominantly a centre-half is excelling at right-back. Rob Kozluk has often looked the weak link but looked a lot more solid at left-back and although caught out of position a few times, always got back to redeem himself.
In midfield captain Brian Howard ran himself into the ground and came up with the goods 6 minutes from time.
A great cross in from Foster saw Howard, in his own words throw "all the five foot sevens and a half of me" at it and looped a header over the Michael Oakes to send the fans who did show up absolutely berserk.
One bad point is the lack of goals upfront especially now Istvan Ferenczi is set for at least three weeks on the sidelines with a sprained ankle.
Replaced by £400,000 Miguel Mostto after 15 minutes, the Peruvian lacked the nous and certainly work-rate to trouble Cardiff's defence. He's likely to get the run in the side fans have claimed he needs. He must now prove he isn't a big money mistake.
Bristol City and Michael McIndoe arrive tomorrow night. Its time to get down to Oakwell and cheer the side on.
A win will probably propel us into the Top Six! And whilst Sheffield Wednesday are having a revival, Queens Park Rangers, home of a Mr D.Nardiello are bottom, without a win, and managerless!
Just goes to show Danny, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, even if the money is!
Player Ratings:
Heinz Muller: Becoming a real asset to the side. Commanding, a great shot-stopper and the defence looks so much more confident with him between the sticks. 8
Rob Kozluk: Back in the side at left back and although looked shaky at first, grew in stature as the game went on. Booked. 7
Dennis Souza: Incredible again! Kept the illustrious Fowler and Hasselbaink quiet all game. Bargain of the year! 8
Lewin Nyatanga: Back to his best. Controlled the game along with Souza. 8
Stephen Foster: Right-back suits him very well. Effortlessly calm on the ball. The year long pursuit looks well worth while. 8
Jamal Campbell-Ryce. Bubbly and bright, but needs to get the ball in the box earlier instead of heading straight to the by-line. Booked. Subbed. 7
Brian Howard: I said after the last home game the captaincy seemed to have affected his performance in a bad way. Exact opposite on Saturday. Led by example, drove forward and for the 5th time in the first 8 games came up with the good. 8
Grant McCann: His two free kick stunners at Southampton kept him in the side. His performance on Saturday might take him out of it. Booked. 5
Anderson Da Silva: Touches of quality to prove he's from a higher level. Maybe needs to get involved more to make a bigger impact. 6
Istvan Ferenczi: Lasted just 15minutes before injury ended his day. Subbed. N/A
Kayode Odejayi: Worked like a Trojan again. An absolute nightmare for defenders. Now for the goals! 7
Substitutes:
Miguel Mostto (for Ferenczi 15) A lot more required Miguel mate if you are to hang around for long. I WILL give him time though. 5
Martin Devaney (for Campbell-Ryce 73) Came on as soon as Cardiff scored and the confidence gained from grabbing the last gasp winner at Southampton seemed to spur him on. Well played and Id be temped to start him for McCann tomorrow. 7
Unused Substitutes:
Nick Colgan, Paul Reid, Sam Togwell.
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Anderson De Silva
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: It might be unfair to give him the sponsor's award every week but whilst Dennis Souza is playing like he is, he's going to keep getting mine!
Impressed by Cardiff's: Fowler and Hasselbaink showed glimpses of what once made them multi-million pound players whilst despite being mercilessly booed Stephen McPhail remains a class act. Never wastes a ball!!
Ref Watch: Phil Dowd: Another case of being sent refs not good enough in the Premiership. Like Lawrie Sanchez says, They aint good enough!! 4.
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