It's celebration time this weekend at Oakwell, as we entertain table-toppers Blackpool, in a special 'Anniversary' match.
Both clubs are 125 years old this season, and so this fixture is being used to mark the occasion, with a party atmosphere, and reduced ticket prices.
I used my last article to talk about that, so forgive me for getting straight into the important bit - the game...
THE OPPOSITION
Blackpool, nicknamed the 'Seasiders' or 'Tangerines' were formed in July of 1887, merging with a breakaway group from local club St. John's FC.
The clubs first home was Raikes Hall Gardens, which was part of a large entertainment complex, that included a theatre, and a boating lake.
The 1896/97 season was their first in the Football League (Second Division).
Their first ever league game was away at Lincoln City, which they lost 3-1. Coincidentally, our first ever league game was also away at Lincoln, which we also lost (1-0, in 1898).
Blackpool spent the 1899-1900 season back in the Lancashire League after failing to be re-elected. They finished 3rd, and were permitted re-entry to the Football League.
It was during that season that they amalgamated with local rivals South Shore.
They moved to their current home of Bloomfield Road a year later.
Blackpool spent much of their early history struggling in the nether regions of Division Two.
It was in 1930 that they won the Second Division (their only Championship title to date).
After 3 years of struggle in the top flight, they finally succumbed to the drop, finishing plum last.
Joe Smith was appointed as manager in 1935, and would remain so for the next 23 years.
In his second year in charge he got them promoted as runners-up. They played 2 seasons of First Division football before World War Two intervened. Blackpool were top of the table at the time football was abandoned.
Stan Mortensen joined the club in 1946, followed by Stanley Matthews a year later.
The next 10 years were to prove glorious for Blackpool.
After losing FA Cup finals to Manchester United (1948) and Newcastle United (1951), Blackpool finally emerged victorious in 1953, beating Bolton Wanderers 4-3, in what is famously known as the 'Matthews Final'.
In 1956, 'Pool' achieved their highest finish ever, second place in the First Division, behind Manchester United.
Blackpool's form tailed off in the following years, and they were eventually relegated in 1967.
Former 'Tangerine' Mortensen was in charge of the club in 1968, when they finished 3rd.
They beat Huddersfield Town on the final day that season, thinking they'd be promoted, only for QPR to score a last minute winner at Aston Villa, and edge them out on goal difference.
In 1970 Blackpool were promoted again, after beating big rivals Preston North End 3-0 in their penultimate match, who were effectively relegated to the Third Division.
They were relegated the season after, finishing bottom once more.
Blackpool beat Bologna 2-1 in 1971, to lift the Anglo-Italian Cup.
In 1978, the 'Seasiders' were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history.
Former player Alan Ball was manager when Blackpool succumbed to the drop again, this time to the Fourth Division in 1980.
Blackpool spent much of the next 20 years in the wilderness, in the 3rd and 4th tiers.
High-profile managers such as Gary Megson, Nigel Worthington and Sam Allardyce all failed to get them back into England's top two tiers.
Simon Grayson got them back to the 2nd tier via the Playoffs in 2007, beating Yeovil at the new Wembley Stadium.
On the 9th of August 2009, Blackpool boss Ian Holloway broke their record transfer fee record, paying Rangers £500,000 for Charlie Adam.
Blackpool beat Cardiff City 3-2 at Wembley in 2010, in the Championship Playoff final, to return to the top flight of English football after a 39 year absence.
In doing so, they became the first club to achieve promotion from all four divisions, via the Playoff system.
On 22nd May 2011, exactly a year to the day of their promotion, Blackpool were relegated from the Premier League, after a 4-2 defeat against Champions Manchester United.
Charlie Adam left that summer, for Liverpool, in another record fee, of £7,000,000.
Last season, they again reached the Playoff final, only to be beaten by Sam Allardyce's West Ham United, courtesy of a late strike from a lad named Ricardo Vaz Te...
THE GAFFER
| Ian Holloway |
One of those managers that splits opinions, Ian Holloway has been in charge at Bloomfield Road since May of 2009.
After a decent if unspectacular playing career, which took in notable spells with QPR and his hometown club of Bristol Rovers, 'Ollie' took his first step into management, as player/manager of Rovers.
After steering the struggling 3rd tier club to safety in 1997, he led the 'Gas' to the Playoffs the following campaign, only to lose at the semi-final stage to Northampton Town.
He retired as a player the following season, but couldn't replicate or better the previous year, as they finished mid-table.
In his last full season at the Memorial Ground, Rovers narrowly missed out on the Playoffs, finishing 7th.
In February of 2001, Holloway was appointed manager of another former club, QPR. His task was to keep them from relegation to the 3rd tier, but it proved impossible, and their second bottom finish saw Rangers drop out of the top two tiers of English football for the first time in 34 years.
Despite the drop, Holloway stayed on at Loftus Road and at the third attempt he led them back to the second tier in 2004.
QPR finished a respectable 11th in their first season back in the Championship, and in the 2005/06 season they were hovering mid-table, when Holloway was put on 'gardening' leave by the Rangers board, over links to the Leicester City vacancy.
The Foxes appointed Rob Kelly, and Rangers without Holloway finished 21st and just one place above the drop.
In June of 2006, he was unveiled as new manager of Plymouth Argyle. He took the 'Pilgrims' to the FA Cup Quarter Final (lost to Watford), and led them to 11th place in the Championship.
On the 22nd of November 2007, Holloway upset the Argyle board and supporters, as he left for big spending Leicester City.
His time at Leicester wasn't great, and his recruitment of five former Argyle players didn't go down well with either club. The Foxes were relegated that season, with Holloway's charges winning just 9 of 32 league games during his tenure.
In May of 2008, following the club's relegation, Holloway and Leicester parted company by mutual consent.
After a year out of the game, 'Ollie' returned to club management at Bloomfield Road with Blackpool.
And 9 months later, he'd guided the 'Seasiders' to the Premier League, via the Championship Playoffs.
Blackpool's season in the sun ended in relegation, but the entertaining, attacking manner they displayed whilst up there, was refreshing to see. And last season they lit up the Championship, and were desperately unlucky to fail in the Playoff Final.
THE VISITORS PERSPECTIVE
As ever on 'Tarn Review' I like to get the views and opinions of the opposing set of supporters, and this time I popped across to http://fansonline.net/blackpool/mb/ to gather their thoughts ahead of the fixture this weekend.
Here's what they had to say about their expectations, their manager, the game on Saturday, and of course, the 'Super Reds'....
Expectations this season?
"Higher than they should be, really, but that's what sustained high performance does for you. I'd settle for another top six finish in the knowledge that we are the most successful play-off side in the country. But many are expecting top two."
"Top six finish (but we're keeping quiet about it)"
"I'd see anything less than getting in the play offs as failing to fulfill our potential. Whether we achieve that or not is another matter, but that should be our goal. And it should be achievable too."
"Top two. For the first time in my memory we start the season with a squad worthy of our ambitions."
How was the first month?
"Pretty much as I expected, results wise, but the football played in the two home games in particular was as good as we've seen."
"Very good, dodgy display against Leicester but it still took a disputed penalty for them to score and they threw the kitchen sink at us."
"Goals galore but we had our wings clipped a bit at Leicester last week."
Your thoughts on Ian Holloway?
"No one man is bigger than a football club but Ian Holloway will leave a big legacy here when he moves on."
"Legend, worried me when we appointed him but turned out to be one of the best managers we've had."
"I didn't want him originally, but he's a more thoughtful character than he once was and his record with us speaks for itself. He's building a club that will hopefully prosper long after he's gone."
Your key players?
"Ince will get more mentions than most, but there are match winners throughout the team. Whichever midfield combination Holloway picks on Saturday, watch their ability to move and keep the ball."
"Ince, Angel and Baptise."
"Matt Gilks goalkeeper, Alex Baptiste centre half, Tom Ince anywhere across the front three."
"From defence to attack: Alex Baptiste, Angel Martinez and Tom Ince."
Thoughts on us?
"Seem to be lacking something every year to ever make a proper challenge. Not sure why that is as I don't know the inner workings of the club."
"How can you start off a season with so many injuries? Keith Hill looked like he was building an half decent team at the start of last season but injuries and player sales cost him at the turn of the year and it's looking it's going to be a battle for him again."
"I've not seen you play this season, but I've no reason to think you won't be very well organized, neat and tidy and hard working. Add the 'special game' factor and I think we're in for a really big test. Should we win, I'd see it as a BIG 3 points."
"Used to be our bogey side but am hoping that is in the past now."
"I'm not overly impressed by the players you've brought in, and you'll no doubt be many people's favourites for the drop. I must confess I have you down as bottom six material, but you certainly know what it takes to stay in this division."
Our key players?
"Whoever you play in the wide attacking positions. Stopping our full backs is a key to playing us."
"See you've got Marlon Harewood - just know he will score..."
"Owen Archdeacon."
"Not sure.. Harewood, Mido, Danny Rose???"
"Whoever replaces Bobby Hassell."
"Harewood, because as said above, he'll probably score."
"Bobby Hassell has been one of my favourite players in the football league for a decade but I've got to say Craig Davies. Surely your main goal threat and exactly the kind of number 9 that we lack [one who scores goals]."
And the score?
"2-1 Blackpool."
"3-1 to us - sorry."
"We lost 1-0 away last time out and Barnsley have won their first two home games 1-0. 5-5?"
"Barnsley 2 - 3 Blackpool."
"3-1 Pool."
"We don't do well at your place traditionally, but we'll be fired up for this. I'll say 2-1 to us."
I'll take this opportunity to thank the 'Tangerines' who shared their views with me, and to wish them a safe and enjoyable trip to Oakwell this weekend.
Here's hoping they fetch a few thousand travelling supporters over, and help to make it an atmosphere befitting the occasion.
THE PLAYERS
Former Rochdale keeper Matt Gilks has really come into his own under the stewardship of Ian Holloway.
Capped by Scotland, the 30 year old shotstopper should be between the sticks this weekend for the visitors.
Like our own Bobby Hassell, Alex Baptiste started out his career at Mansfield Town, making well over 100 appearances for The Stags.
He joined Blackpool in 2008, and has been a regular ever since, at either right back or centre half.
He was named Player of the Year last season.
| Baptiste |
Former roofer, and non-league nomad Gary Taylor-Fletcher, has always impressed me. The former Huddersfield Town frontman is technically sound, and whilst never known to be a prolific scorer, his unselfish play often goes unnoticed.
Tricky winger Matt Phillips will be well known to the Barnsley faithful. His hat-trick on Boxing Day last season condemned us to defeat in this fixture, and the newly-capped Scotland international will have to be watched carefully this time around.
KEY PLAYER
Being the son of a former successful player, doesn't necessarily mean much (see Paul Dalglish), but if the last couple of years are anything to go by, then Thomas Ince could indeed emulate his fathers achievements in the game.
When you look at the current plight of Liverpool, it's hard to understand how they let go of the talented attacker. I mean, is Raheem Sterling any better...?
| Ince - Key Man |
The 20 year old winger has a wonderful left peg, and can play pretty much anywhere up top.
I am led to believe he's already bagged 4 goals this season, and so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out he'll be key to Blackpool's ambitions both in this game, and the season ahead.
WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS
The timing of the international break was thought to be a bonus for the Reds, and manager Keith Hill. It came at a time where we were indeed down to the bare bones. No fewer than 10 first teamers were missing with various injuries, and so a two week break was quite timely.
Unfortunately, it seems we are no better off (as of 11/09/12). There is talk of Rob Edwards - former Blackpool player - being back in contention, but there is still 4 days for him to crock himself once more...
The likes of Luke Steele, Jimmy McNulty, David Perkins, Paul Digby, Jim O'Brien, Toni Silva, Matty Done and Mido are all still missing, and with Sir Bobby Hassell now suspended for 3 games, I'd expect few changes from the side that defeated Bristol City last time out.
That might not be too bad a thing, to be honest.
With Hassell's suspension, I wouldn't be surprised to see Martin Cranie reverting to midfield, and fresh from his England u19's appearance, John Stones returning to right back.
I'd be very surprised to see any other changes, especially when you consider just how well the likes of Chris Dagnall and Jacob Mellis performed against The Robins a fortnight or so ago.
| Mellis - Scored the winner last time out |
I'm on record as saying that Blackpool were the best side to visit Oakwell last term, and their current status as table-toppers doesn't surprise me at all.
They play an expansive game, with technical players all across the pitch.
So I'm hoping we come out at them, all guns blazing, and get the key early goal. As we're more than aware as Reds fans, we rarely get anything from a game in which we go behind.
The likes of Mellis, and last months standout performer Tomasz Cywka, have to get on the ball early, and dictate.
I've said it before every game so far this season, but I'd take a point now.
I'll finish this week by urging any of you reading, who are as yet undecided with regards to attending this fixture, to do so.
Not only is it a special occasion in the history of our club, it's blummin' £12.50!!!
There's no point in whingeing about the price of football, if you can't get be bothered to take advantage of offers such as this. And, it serves as an opportunity to make a point to the powers that be, that cheaper tickets equal better gates... we shall see on that one.
I for one can't wait for Saturday, to celebrate our 125th birthday in style, by beating the league leaders!
Up The Tarn!
Endeavour.
Remember, you can follow me 'HERE' on twitter, where I'll keep you updated on further blog articles.
other links: The Official Barnsley FC Website
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