It’s alright this being safe before the end of the season lark, but it doesn’t half make the remaining games mind-numbingly boring! Today’s encounter against a Derby side also virtually safe is probably the worst game of football I have personally ever witnessed live, as it produced about three decent chances all game, and neither keeper was made to work for their clean sheet.
The Barnsley players and management team (well John Breckin, as Robins ducked a post match press conference for the first time) have quickly accentuated the positives of a third clean sheet in four games, but the fact that they have come in 0-0 draws cannot be brushed away. Today’s blank means The Reds have worryingly suffered five blanks in front of goal in their last seven matches and a run of one win in 10 means they are limping towards the end of the season. The team looked out of ideas from the start and aimless long balls meant that Jon Macken and Daniel Bogdanovic were feeding off scraps whilst some of the mistakes in passing were Sunday league stuff!
The players have to take an enormous amount of credit for hauling the side off the bottom of the league to the calm waters of mid-table- something that has not happened since the club’s return to the Championship in 2006, but it is such a shame that after being in the top half 11 games ago, they have performed so poorly since, to drop to 15th. Indeed there are just three points between them and 11th place, where they were after beating Blackpool back in February but if the last few games are anything to go by, they will be lucky to score again this season never mind win enough games to cap the season with a memorable finish in the top 12.
This was a real end of season game with limited chances but Derby created the best ones. Luke Steele showed his reckless side when a poor clearance fell straight to Tomasz Cwyka and the Pole’s lobbed effort looked like dropping into the empty net before Luke Potter produced a wonderful acrobatic clearance to hook the ball wide. Then Steele dropped a corner in the six yard area but Bobby Hassell and Nathan Doyle cleared off the line before Steve Davies could pounce.
Barnsley’s best, and really only chance arrived after 34 minutes. Adam Hammill swung in a free kick, Hugo Colace cushioned the ball down perfectly for Bogdanovic seven yards out, but in a great position he spooned his effort over the bar. And for anybody that wasn’t there today I have to say THAT was it. Bogdanovic limped off with a recurrence of the hamstring injury that had sidelined him for the previous two and a half matches, whilst defenders Hassell and Ryan Shotton can be proud of their performances. Hassell was his usual no-nonsense solid self, whilst Shotton again put in a pre- Christmas performance rather than ones he has been churning out mostly in 2010.
The Reds now have three games left, and nine points to play for… It’s a limp to the end, but if like the players and management, we decide to look at the positives, we should be pleased that we know, for once before the end of April that The Reds WILL be playing Championship football again next season.
Player Ratings
Luke Steele – To say he had little to do he nearly cost the game by two errors. His defence gave him his nineth clean sheet of the season.5
Bobby Hassell – Mr Consistency was his usual solid self. Never put a foot wrong and was always ready to bomb forward. 8
Stephen Foster – Was very sloppy and worryingly looked disinterested in the opening minutes, but improved as the game wore on. Booked. 7
Ryan Shotton – The unflappable Shotton we have become to know. Its just a pity he had that dip in form at the start of the year. Totally dominated Rob Hulse. 8
Luke Potter – Produced a terrific goal-line clearance to stop Derby scoring and seems to grow in confidence and maturity with every game. 7
Filipe Teixeira – A poor showing. Was totally snuffed out by Jay McEveley. Subbed. 5
Nathan Doyle – His passing and clearances were woeful but he produced the highlight of the afternoon when he mocked Savage by mimicking an old man with a stick! 5
Hugo Colace – Will probably always split fan opinion but for me he’s simply not good enough. Savage dominated him. 5
Adam Hammill – Another frustrating afternoon. His effort can never be doubted but the ability he produced so wonderfully last season has been missing for the entire campaign. Subbed. 5
Jon Macken – Worked tirelessly as always and was The Reds best striker. Held the ball up well. 6
Daniel Bogdanovic – Probably rushed back too quickly from injury which was proved when he pulled up with 20 minutes to go. Subbed. 5
Substitutions:
Martin Devaney (for Hammill 55) – Looks incredibly refreshed after seemingly looking like he was heading out of the Oakwell exit door just a few weeks ago. Energetic. 6
Andy Gray (for Bogdanovic 68) – His impact has been incredibly sparse throughout the season, but in his defence has been carrying injuries. Offered little here. 5
Jacob Butterfield (for Teixeira 87) – Incredible that he was dropped after an impressive start on Monday and brought on FAR too late to influence the game. Must wonder what he has to do to get a proper run in the side. N/A
Unused: David Preece, Darren Moore, Anderson De Silva, Reuben Noble-Lazarus.
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Ryan Shotton
BarnsleyBoy's Men of the Match: Ryan Shotton & Bobby Hassell: Excellent performance from both men, ensured we ended with something.
DERBY COUNTY: Bywater, Hunt, McEveley, Green, Savage, Barker, Tonge, Davies (Martin 78), Hulse, Cywka, Anderson.
Subs: Porter, Deeney, Sunu, Teale, Moxey, Pringle
Most Impressed by Derby’s: Robbie Savage: Hated by opposition fans throughout the country but still a class act on the ball even at 35. Ran the midfield.
Ref Watch: Paul Taylor: Complete joke for both sides. Got some simple decisions wrong and just laughed about it! 2
Coca Cola Championship Results Saturday 10th April 2010:
BARNSLEY 0-0 Derby
Bristol City 1-0 Swansea
Cardiff 0-0 Reading
Crystal Palace 0-2 QPR
Doncaster 2-3 West Brom (West Brom are promoted)
Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Newcastle 4-1 Blackpool
Nottingham Forest 3-0 Ipswich
Peterborough 1-2 Leicester
Preston 3-2 Scunthorpe
Sheffield United 1-0 Coventry
Watford 1-0 Plymouth
Barnsley lie in 15th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 53 points from 43 games.
We are 12 points off the Play-Offs, 33 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 39
points off First place and 8 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to 11.4.10.
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Four: Swansea City v Barnsley Saturday 17th April 2010 Kick Off 3pm.
Tickets:
ADULTS - £25.00
SENIOR CITIZENS - £13.00
STUDENTS - £15.00
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £10.00
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Five: Barnsley v Queens Park Rangers Saturday 24th April 2010 Kick-Off 3pm
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £21.00
OAP £12.00
Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U11) £5.00
CK Beckett Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £19.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U11) £5.00
All Disabled Areas £19.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office on 0871 2266777. Alternatively call at the Box Office in person; contact the Box Office by fax on 01226 211444 or e-mail boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk. Please note that Juvenile U11 tickets must be purchased in advance from the Oakwell Box Office and this price will not be on sale on the turnstiles under any circumstances