Sorry to tell you Tykes fans reading this but if we continue to play like we did yesterday – we are going down.
I had optimism for the game when entering the Stadium Of Light yesterday. Sunderland had lost two on the bounce including a crushing 4-1 defeat at Preston last Saturday. Although Barnsley hadn't won since September 16th when they triumphed against Wolves. My, how long ago does that seem?
The Reds made one change with skipper Paul Reid coming back into the starting eleven with Neil Austin making way and Bobby Hassell moving back
to his native position right-back. Kyle Letheren replaced Vito Mannone on the bench and Paul Heckingbottom was also named among the subs. The Reds were in their yellow away shirt, was it like watching Brazil? No.
The Reds started brightly and won a corner in the very first minute, which came to nothing but it filled the 2000 or so travelling fans with optimism. On five minutes the disappointing McIndoe also had a chance but his first touch was heavy and former Reds Trialist Darren Ward rushed out and smothered.
On ten minutes the largely awful Martin Devaney did really well to wriggle away from Danny Collins and Paul Hayes tamely headed Devaney's cross straight at Darren Ward.
Sunderland really should have opened the scoring five minutes later when Howard was pole-axed and was left down injured while the Black Cats broke and striker Darryl Murphy crossed for Chris Brown but his header went wide of Colgan's post. Minutes later, Howard complete with a number-less shirt drilled a shot wide of the post.
Robbie Williams popped up and he drilled a rising shot/cross a straight into Ward's arms but Reds fans sensed something.
It nearly came in the form of Dean Whitehead who did so well to engineer himself into an overhead kick position from 10 yards but it was easy for the Reds' Irish stopper.
The half time interval came and so did some what only can be described as ‘raving' half time entertainment from a dance school in Sunderland. Twelve or thirteen girls dancing in the centre circle to a mystical tune. Ah well, at least they weren't arrested for profanity.
After the break the Reds came out all guns blazing and Robbie Williams drilled a rising 30-yard shot just wide of the post. Devaney again got a great cross away but Hayes again couldn't get any purchase on his header.
Dwight Yorke, who pulled the strings in the Sunderland midfield played through a lovely ball for Chris Brown but Brown's shot was saved well by Nick Colgan. Minutes later Brown had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for an obvious offside, which I think every Reds fan saw from the other end of the ground.
Liam Lawrence sparked into life in the last 20 minutes and his cross was met by David Connolly but his header was saved by Colgan and cleared away by Paul Reid.
Connolly again tested Colgan's reflexes and they were in working order as he stopped the ball on the line with both hands after a dipping shot from the former-Wigan striker. Chris Brown then asked for a penalty as he went down under Kay's challenge, it did look like a dive from where I was sitting.
Marc Richards and Brian Howard made way for Tommy Wright and ex-Black Cat Colin Healy who got a great round of applause from the Stadium of Light faithful.
Dean Whitehead should have scored before Colgan made the save of the game when he dived full length and pushed Connolly's curling shot around the post. From that, the Reds broke and Tommy Wright was sent clear but his shot was well saved by Ward.
Robbie Williams made a crucial block from Yorke's shot and Colgan made yet another great save when he threw himself at Brown's shot and saw it go up into the air and scrambled clear.
Sunderland though, took the lead seconds after that. It started with Liam Lawrence who knocked the ball ahead of the overlapping Nyron Nosworthy whose low cross was swept home by Dean Whitehead.
Daniel Nardiello then replaced Paul Hayes but it was all too late.
Now the floodgates opened but Colgan easily saved Brown's shot. The game was ended as a contest in the 87th minute when sub Ross Wallace got the better of Hassell before swinging in a cross to Chris Brown who headed home.
There was still time for Colgan to make another save when he turned away Brown's shot.
Scarborough Tyke's Verdict: As BarnsleyBoy said in the last verdict – worrying times. It is now very worrying times. With Wednesday winning that sends us down to 21st and something has to change for the game against Coventry next Saturday. The strikeforce is simply not good enough and something has to be done for that situation. A loan signing from the Premiership perhaps? Anything to drop Hayes.
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: In a word – amazing. Made several spectacular saves and kept the score down to a respectable couple. 9
Bobby Hassell: He was good again. He's great in the air for a small lad and he won a lot of headers and made some good tackles. 8
Antony Kay: Celebrated his 24th birthday against Sunderland and he had a decent game. Looked a little shaky at times though. 7
Paul Reid: Good to see Captain Fantastic back again and he played well didn't let Connolly have much space and dominated in the air. Booked. 7
Robbie Williams: Played well, much better than Heckers. Had a couple of good efforts on goal as well. 7
Martin Devaney: Pretty awful. He couldn't beat his man and his pace was really lacking. His crossing was on a whole poor but got a couple of good ones in. Don't think he is 100% fit. 4
Sam Togwell: Hardly noticed him. Dwight Yorke kept him quiet all game but he did have one chance but he wasn't quick enough. 6
Brian Howard: Took a knock to the head and changed his shirt early on but played well and bossed the centre of the Reds midfield. 7
Michael McIndoe: Was very poor. Like Devaney, couldn't beat his man and his crossing let him down. 5
Paul Hayes: Very laboured yesterday. He did OK to get a couple of headers in but heading isn't his strong point. Lacking in confidence I think. 4
Marc Richards: Held the ball up very well and got stuck in, needs to be scoring though to cover for Hayes. 6
Substitutes
Colin Healy (for Howard 61): Did alright in the middle against his old club. Got a nice ovation when he came on. Booked. 6
Tommy Wright (for Richards): He was in the thick of it. He had a good chance to put the Reds in front but his shot was saved. 7
Danny Nardiello (for Hayes 83): He didn't even touch the ball I don't think; his long awaited introduction was too late. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Kyle Letheren, Paul Heckingbottom.
Scarborough Tyke's Man Of The Match:
It has to be Nick Colgan, made several cracking saves and impressed my Sunderland supporting friends as well.
Most Impressed By Sunderland's: I have to say Dwight Yorke. He bossed the midfield and Togwell didn't stand a chance against him. Very experienced and still has the magic.
Ref Watch: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire): Awful, so inconsistent, like BarnsleyBoy, when referees start giving things to both sides instead of one I'll speak about them. 3
Coca-Cola Championship Results Saturday 21st October 2006
Derby 0-1 Birmingham
Leicester 1-1 Crystal Palace
Luton Town 5-1 Leeds
Norwich 1-0 Cardiff
Plymouth 0-0 Burnley
Preston 2-1 Hull
Sheff Wed 3-2 QPR
Southampton 1-0 Stoke
Southend 1-3 Ipswich
Sunderland 2-0 Barnsley
Barnsley lie in 21st place in the Championship with 12 points from 13 games. We are 10 points off the Play-Offs, 14 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 17 points off First Place and 2 Points clear of the Relegation Zone
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Fourteen: Barnsley v Coventry City Saturday 28th October 2006 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets for the big game are priced at:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Enterprise PLC Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
All Disabled Areas £20.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office on 01226 211200. 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.
On the road:Derby County (1/11/2006)
Tickets for the game are priced at:
Adults: £24.00
OAPs (over 60): £12.00
Juveniles: £8.00
Barnsley have received an initial allocation of 1,200 tickets for the game at Pride Park.
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Derby. Coach tickets are also on sale, priced at £10.00 and coaches will depart Oakwell at 5.00pm on the day of the game.