IT'S NOW OR NEVER

Tomorrow is the first of four games in just ten days for the Reds and our points haul from them will go a long way toward determining our fate this season. Maybe the title of this post is a tad sensational, but you've got to imagine that were we to replicate our form so far under Danny Wilson for the rest of February (seven points from eight league games), that the confidence he says is currently evident in the squad of players will have near enough evaporated by then, not to mention the ever decreasing amount of faith among us supporters. 


I don't care how you dress it up, this run of fixtures could make or break us. The rearranged Wigan trip aside, we're going to be up against fellow strugglers. These are the games we've failed to win this season, usually throwing away simple opportunities to do so. It's time we put that right. Starting tomorrow as we visit local rivals Doncaster Rovers in probably the most important local derby between the two clubs, ever. I'm being sensational again aren't I? 

I've got to be honest, after dispensing of Sean O'Driscoll and going through that bizarre spell the last time they were in the second tier of recruiting a load of mercenary foreigners who still took them down, I didn't expect to see our near neighbours again so soon. But they were pretty impressive last season and who could forget the way they confirmed promotion against Brentford? Like something out of a comic book it was. 


But I still looked at their squad in the Summer and had them down as one of the definite relegation candidates. The appointment of Paul Dickov seemed a strange one as well at the time. And while they're indeed struggling as anticipated, they've recruited well of late and seemed to have turned the Keepmoat Stadium into something of a fortress recently with four consecutive clean sheets. 


Despite the resignation of club chairman John Ryan (around the time we met them at Oakwell) the current Rovers board have certainly backed Dickov during the last transfer window. The free transfer signings of former Premier League defenders Gabriel Tamas and Abdoulaye Méité were followed by the capture of Billy Sharp, the hero striker rejoining the club on loan from Southampton. He's unavailable for tomorrow however after his dismissal at Brighton last weekend saw him suspended for three games. Which rules out any banter between ourselves and Billy, which is a shame. Although, I suppose it also rules out the chance of any sickening rumours developing again.. 

We're still none the wiser about 'that' incident some two years on, if there even was one. I was there that day and the first I (as well as my fellow fans and Billy himself) heard about the supposed chant was on the way home, via twitter. The rumour was started by a Leeds United supporter as it turned out, the club we'd just spanked 4-1 a few days previous. But then a few Tarn lads suggested the incident did occur. A young lad shouted something despicable, and was accosted by other fans around him. It probably did happen. You only have to go back to the Wednesday game in October to realise we've got the odd pillock at our matches. Throwing a cigarette lighter at former Red Stephen McPhail. Big and clever, that. 
But the witch hunt against Barnsley FC supporters that particular evening will always stay with me. It summed up society in general, especially social media. An unconfirmed rumour was enough evidence for hundreds and thousands of numpties to class us all as scum. 

"They've always been scum, Barnsley.." 

"I'm not surprised at all, they're known for it.." 

Even the likes of Ian Wright (former footballer, regular big mouth) got in on the act, condemning our club and our fanbase. As well as the usual southern media types, the Daily Mail etc. There were no apologies forthcoming from these same quarters either, once the truth came out. 

Anyway, the lad can't play tomorrow. That's a big blow for Rovers no doubt about it. But he'll play a key part in keeping them up. I fully expect them to stay up now. There are poorer sides in this division. And no, I don't believe we are one of them, although I might alter my opinion in 24 hours time.
Midfield playmaker Richie Wellens, who also returned this season is missing tomorrow as well. As is man mountain centre half Rob Jones who I've always liked. Former BFC failure David Cotterill could be involved, as well as Harry Forrester, once an Oakwell trialist during Mark Robins' tenure. 

Former BFC failure - David Cotterill

It's a funny one, this particular local derby. When talking with my fellow supporters we see Doncaster as the least important/interesting of the lot. Even the games with Rotherham usually mean more to us. I'm not sure if Rovers supporters feel similarly about us, but as I say, it's a funny one. Because in researching this fixture I've found that after we've met tomorrow, we'll have played against each other on 69 occasions competitively. The same amount of times we've faced Wednesday, who let's be honest, we can't stand. So it can't be through lack of opportunity, this insouciance. Of all our fellow Yorkshire opponents, we've not played any of them more than we've played Donny. 

I put it down to the 25 years we went without seeing each other. On the 3rd of April 1979 we crushed them 3-0 at Oakwell in a fourth tier fixture and so began our climb back up the divisions. Rovers meanwhile remained the lower league club they historically are. And so it wasn't until our last relegation and a few years in the third tier that we finally renewed a rivalry that began way back in December of 1901 when both clubs were in the second tier. 

Those games in the third tier are the reason Donny have the edge over us in terms of games won - 25, to our 23. They won five consecutive derbies. And to be fair, they were a cracking little outfit back then. It's easy to forget that just eleven years ago they were a Conference club. They've been on some journey. While we were playing Man Utd in the Premier League they were heading out of the Football League. Their rise up through the divisions was something I can remember being happy about. I'm not alone on that. Most Tarn lads I know were also pleased to see them doing well. Which again begs the question, where's the rivalry? Can you really imagine feeling similarly chuffed if Sheffield United made their way back up? Remember the unbridled joy at Bramall Lane when we sent them packing, 'will we ever meet again?' we sang. 

Maybe if we both stay up this season, and both remain in the same division long enough, the animosity will grow? I've got to be honest, I'd like it to. As much as I love us turning over the Sheffield clubs, we're not their biggest rivals and never will be. Let's make this our derby I say. We've all the ingredients for it. Just as it's amusing to see the deedars calling each other 'pigs' and slagging off their own city, it can be similarly so for us and Rovers. We're both run down northern towns, ripped apart by Thatcher. We're both unable to attract decent crowds unless Leeds turn up. We both think each other are scrubbers. Radio Sheffield would rather we both didn't exist. So aye, let's get it on. 

Obligatory photo of him art that boyband

So, what about us? After a less than impressive start to February - certainly in terms of results - it'll be interesting to see who Danny selects in midfield tomorrow. I think Dale Jennings is a shoe in, but after that it's a bit of guess work. I expect Emanuel Frimpong will be favourite to start in the centre after serving his suspension last weekend. Let's hope the DENCH one can last longer than thirty minutes this time. He took a load of criticism after his debut red card at Hillsborough, but let's be fair, he lived the dream. We'd all love to go around giving Wednesday a kick or two wouldn't we? I'm sure he'll be desperate to show up well tomorrow, and I for one am right behind him. After all, Jennings was sent off on debut and he's come back from that and now looks the talented kid we thought we'd signed. 

Alongside Manny in the middle though, that's the real unknown. It's not going to be Bobby Hassell who pulled up in training again this week. Both Martin Woods (ex Donny) and Liam Lawrence came off the bench last weekend and they'll be in contention, as I'm sure will the pair who started against Ipswich last time out, Stephen Dawson and Jim O'Brien. Regarding the latter, I feel the stick he's received of late is over the top. He made a mistake against Wednesday, and if you're harsh, again last weekend. So what? Tell me a player in our squad who hasn't made a mistake. At least he held his hand up, unlike certain others who have recently found their true level at Preston and Bury respectively. As well as showing their true colours. 
I think he's been one of our better players this season, operating in a number of positions and in a derby game I can't think of many players better suited to the occasion than our Jim. However, if selected, he'd be on the wing if it was up to me. 

Personally, I'd like to see Paddy McCourt finally get a game. I sort of understand Danny's reluctance to pick him. He cites the wingers lack of defensive capabilities, his work rate as an issue. I get that. But after witnessing the recent displays of Brek Shea on the flank, I think Danny's theory is somewhat blown out of the water, because the Stoke loanee has offered a big fat nowt going either way. At least Paddy gives you something in an attacking sense. There isn't a player like him, not in this division anyway. It's pretty bizarre to be ignoring that sort of ability.
The back four picks itself, so long as Jack Hunt shakes off the knock picked up in the Ipswich draw. And I'm excited about the Chris O'Grady/Nick Proschwitz partnership, and I'd be stunned if Danny doesn't stick with them up top. 

Some folk are looking at results since Danny returned and they're starting to question his impact. Many of them aren't impressed. I think some expected the new manager bounce, and unfortunately it hasn't come. But what we have got is a solidity to us at last. We've been 'in' every game. The three games lost were all tight, two of them particularly harsh/unlucky. But for me, I've got renewed belief in my club. Under Flitcroft, that had vanished by August. With the squad here now, under this manager, I'm more optimistic no matter the opposition. 

I expect another tight affair at the Keepmoat, but it's a game where we need the victory more than they do. That could work in their favour I suppose. It'll be a battle, I'm sure of that. But I think our quality going forward eclipses theirs, and so I'm confident we'll pick up a vital three points and kick off this crucial ten day period in the perfect way. 

Get behind 'the boy' O'Brien

WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS 

Bit of a misleading sub title this week, as I'm not going to end with any thoughts. I'm going to advertise a couple of things. First off, a reminder that issue three of the BFC fanzine 'West Stand Bogs' is released next weekend ahead of the Millwall fixture, priced at £2, with all profits going to local charities/good causes. 

Then, (see below) there's this fantastic painting of modern day Oakwell from James Muddiman. He's taking orders as we speak, and an A3 print on glossy card can be yours for just £15. You can get in touch with James via twitter 'HERE', through facebook 'HERE' or by visiting his website 'HERE'. 

That's your lot for this week. Thanks for reading as always. Sithi. 

Up The Tarn! 

THE HILLSBOROUGH HOODOO CONTINUES

The Reds appalling record at the home of near neighbours Sheffield Wednesday saw yet another last gasp defeat added to it, as rejuvenated Owls forward Chris Maguire struck deep into stoppage time in a game that was ruined as a spectacle by a referee with a habit of making the occasion all about him. 

There are numerous neutral match reports available online. This isn't one of them. This, is a completely biased account of what transpired in Sheffield 6 yesterday afternoon. Where once again the travelling Tarn Army were left to wonder what might have been as they left Hillsborough feeling let down and deflated after another late Wednesday winner. 



I am going to be very critical of match referee - on loan for the day from the Premier League - Andre Marriner. Or Andrew, as his mother named him. Fresh from the sunbed, the swine wouldn't allow the game to flow at all in the opening exchanges. I felt initially, that this benefited us. I'd been assured all week on the Wednesday forum 'Owlstalk' that Mr Marriner 'hated' Sheffield Wednesday. I was given examples of this hatred. They weren't looking forward to him officiating the game, put it that way. Whereas, the only time I can recall him reffing a game of ours was the season finalé at Huddersfield last year. 

The early whistle blowing served only to disrupt the opposition. Wednesday were very fluent in the opening stages, spreading the play nicely but in the main looking to attack our weaker left hand side. However, their neat and tidy build up play, which was nice to watch, usually ended in a ball lumped in towards Nuhiu and he couldn't have been less dangerous if he tried. But in Maguire and Lee, the Owls were creating spaces in and around the reds penalty area. 

It was to be us though, who had the first true chance of the game as former Wednesday favourite O'Grady latched onto a ball over the top and his neat footwork up against Llera saw him into the box but his attempted sidefooted finish lacked the necessary power to trouble Kirkland in the Owls goal. 
It was the reds now playing the football, with Mellis, Jennings and Hunt (on debut) linking up well and taking the game to Wednesday in a five minute spell where we ought to have taken the lead. 

First, a jinking run from Hunt into the box led to a reds corner and from Mellis' delivery, Proscwitz was twice thwarted on the volley, first by Semedo (was going wide anyway I reckon) and then point blank by Kirkland, who can't have known much about it with Wednesday defenders in front of him. 
The next corner again found Proschwitz but the big German couldn't get a clean contact on the cross and skewed it wide. But the game was well poised now. 

The game became stop start for the next few minutes, as both teams were pulled up for some very innocuous 'challenges' in my opinion. Tarn debutant Emanuel Frimpong was adjudged to have pulled Semedo at one point, but referee Marriner hadn't seen the Wednesday midfielder's hand in the face of the man from Ghana. He did pull Semedo up twice after that, for the very same offence, but still took no action. He did though take action when Frimpong clashed with an opponent on halfway, by seemingly giving him a final warning. And a minute or so later, Maguire theatrically fell over a leg left in by Frimpong and Marriner quickly booked him for what I'm assuming was an accumulation of fouls. 

But fast forward a couple of minutes and the man signed from Arsenal the day before, lunged into another needless challenge by the corner flag, again on Maguire, and whilst he did get some of the ball it was a definite free kick. Was it worthy of another booking? Not so sure about that. But he'd been warned, then booked. So his idiocy cost us, as Marriner showed him the red card. 
It's okay me venting at the referee, but had Frimpong realised (as we did after two minutes) that Marriner was a card happy fool, and calmed himself down after his initial warning, we'd perhaps be talking about something else. But off he went (eventually) and our chances of winning the game went with him. Especially when soon afterwards O'Grady was the man sacrificed by Danny to strengthen midfield. 
The ovation given to big Chris from all four sides of Hillsborough was good to see, but from then on in it was all about getting through the last fifteen minutes of the half with a clean sheet. 

We did that pretty easily to be honest. A succession of aimless corners was all Wednesday could muster. There was a nervy moment when first Dawson played a stupid backpass to Steele whose kick out then found a Wednesday player. Luckily, Kennedy was there to intercept. And soon after, Steele flapped at another aimless cross at his far post. But our back four were solid. 
In fact it again was the reds who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Jennings ran at the defence before firing a shot in from just outside the box that Kirkland had to tip around the post. Bizarrely, the referee didn't allow us the opportunity to take the resulting corner, but we'd got to half time and despite the home sides greater possession, and our numbers reduced, we'd had the better chances in the opening 45 and I still felt we offered a threat on the counter attack. 

In the second half though, we were pretty much two banks of four, with just Proschwitz in their half. But despite Wednesday again having all of the ball, they were pretty useless with it. There was an Onyewu header that Steele tipped over the bar, but that makes it sound a great save when in all honesty it was pretty routine. To be honest, any Wednesday 'attempts' were practically gifted to them. They hit the post. Or should I say, Hunt chested the ball into his own post from a Maguire corner. 
Then, after Jennings tried to play his way out of trouble 25 yards out, Wednesday nipped in and Kieran Lee's deflected effort was wonderfully turned over the crossbar by Steele. It's not the first time he's saved our bacon since returning from injury. I know he has his critics, but I think we're lucky to have him. Of course he makes the odd mistake. He plays for us. I don't know what some folk expect at times. Even the supposed 'best' keepers (Hart, De Gea etc) make mistakes. Anyway, it was a cracking stop from Luke, right out of the top drawer, and the match remained locked at nil nil. 

We were struggling to retain possession, Dawson in particular was seemingly unable to either pass it forward, or find a red shirt. And when the out ball up to Proschwitz was the only option, the big German was man-handled by Onyewu. I lost count of the times he had hold of his shirt/arms. But obviously, the referee saw none of it. 
So the ball kept coming back at us. The back four though were solid throughout, and only a lucky deflection or quality strike was going to beat Steele. We seemed set for a point, which we thoroughly deserved. 



With ten minutes of normal time remaining, came the games second dismissal. Wednesday substitute, the enigmatic Jermaine Johnson left a foot in on Brek Shea, knee high, and despite the pleading of the Jamaican winger, Marriner again reached for the back pocket and the numbers were again even. 
It was the worst challenge of the afternoon, and I was surprised that Shea was able to continue. We'd used our other two substitutes by then - Hunt was replaced after 75 minutes through fatigue, and Jennings was surprisingly withdrawn before that; O'Brien and Cywka the fresh legs. 
But Shea carried on, and we could now push on and search for a winner ourselves. Or so we thought. 

Despite having to operate out of position at right back, O'Brien played a great through ball in between the Owls defence and Mellis turned brilliantly in the box but looked to be stumbling on the soggy surface, and despite Llera's late attempt to pull out of the challenge, Mellis went over the big centre halves knee and down for what at first glance looked a certain penalty. The referee was having none of it however, and Wednesday played on. 
The reds came forward again instantly, and it was Mellis once more running at the defence before Mattock got a foot in and the ball ran clear out wide where Maghoma had time to get rid, but he didn't. And Mellis steamed in and slid in for the ball with one foot, but as he reached the ball, Maghoma stuck his foot in at last and then fell like he'd been shot by a sniper. Again, on first viewing, it looked a bad tackle. But the more you watch it back the more obvious the gamesmanship from the Wednesday winger. 

I can certainly see why Marriner sent Jacob off. As I say, on first viewing it looked like a nasty one from a player who felt hard done by a moment previous. And the official gets just that one viewing of any incident. But then, he only got one look at the Mellis/Llera coming together and that looked nailed on to me. So it was a frustrating outcome all round for those of us of a red persuasion. 

The fourth official had indicated five minutes of added time just prior to the Mellis incidents. And soon after he departed, Onyewu limped off to be replaced. 
We then forced a corner in the fifth minute of stoppages, but instead of playing it safe, Cywka sent over a shocking cross that missed everyone and Wednesday again had possession. Within a few seconds, they were down the other end where again Marriner blew up for the fussiest free kick of the match, 40 yards from Steele's goal, wide left. 
The cross put in came to nothing, and after a scramble or two the ball ran nicely for O'Brien who saw that we had two players unmarked cross-field and must have attempted to find them, but he made a pigs ear of it - his pass was awful and dropped nicely for Wednesday, and up popped man of the match (in my opinion) Maguire to fire low into the bottom left hand corner, beyond the desperate reach of Steele. The 97th minute the winner had arrived. Cue celebrations from the home stands of epic proportions, and a mass exodus in the Leppings Lane End as once again at Hillsborough a Barnsley side tasted the sourest of defeats. 

So how do you react to a game like that? Well, initially I was pointing the finger of blame (as you do) at the referee for the time added onto the time added on. Yes, it's a 'minimum' of whatever number he throws out there. And yes, I suppose you could argue the extra minute for Mellis' red card/Onyewu's withdrawal (although that was instant). But we'd entered the seventh minute by the time Maguire scored. I think it was very harsh, from a referee who favoured Wednesday in key moments. I was pig sick if I'm honest.
The first time he finally gave us a free kick for shirt pulling on Proschwitz, came in the 92nd minute. It drew fake applause from the reds supporters. And if there was seemingly plenty of time for a winner in second half injury time, then why did he not allow us take that corner on the stroke of half time? 

I then saw the FLS highlights and still felt the same regarding Frimpong's dismissal. I said as much on twitter when he signed. I knew he'd be sent off. 
I couldn't argue with the Mellis red card, because as I said before, it looks bad before you see it slowed down. And like Frimpong, Mellis should have calmed down. Both of their actions were stupid. Although the first red was much more costly. We were the more dangerous side before he was sent off after half an hour. Our game plan went right out of the window the moment he thought it acceptable to make a tackle from behind whilst already on a yellow. Stupidity. Simple as that. 

So after a good 24 hours of reflection and a chance to view the game again, and despite still being firmly of the belief that the referee ruined the game and favoured the home side, I can't argue with the result, nor blame random individuals, including André the giant bell. 
Some of our supporters felt differently last night. Some of the vitriol aimed at Jim O'Brien, Jacob Mellis and Emanuel Frimpong I feel was unnecessary. But I'm no saint myself, and we all say things we regret in the heat of the moment. 

In terms of where we go from here, I actually feel more positive, more optimistic than I did prior to the game. I saw a lot of good performances out there, in particular from the back four. 
I've been critical (and rightly so at times) of Tom Kennedy this season. But his displays under Danny have been decent in the main. Yesterday, after a nervy start, I thought he was fantastic. As was Hunt on the other side of the pitch, so much so that Wednesday only really attacked us down that side once he'd gone off. 
I thought the centre halves were immense. They seem much more solid since Danny returned. A great understanding looks to have been formed. To be fair, Martin Cranie is probably our most consistent player. But I thought Peter Ramage was our man of the match yesterday. He dealt with the giant Nuhiu with ease, and won practically every aerial duel all afternoon. His early crunching tackle on Maghoma set the tone for a towering display. It's the back four I feel sorry for yesterday. They deserved their clean sheet. 

Further forward, I thought Mellis was outstanding (up until his petulance). Some sublime technical stuff as ever, but also grafted in the engine room once we were reduced to ten. 
I'm delighted with this new and improved Dale Jennings. He looks the player we thought we'd signed back in the Summer. And I thought Proschwitz was decent in the main. I can see him and O'Grady forming a decent partnership up top over the coming weeks/games. 

Conversely, the performance of Brek Shea disappointed me. Again. I'm not quite seeing what it is that he's bringing to the table. 
He's well over six foot tall, has undoubted technical quality and pace, but for me he's not using these assets even nearly as often enough. 
I'm sick of reading about how Paddy McCourt is a 'luxury' or a 'passenger' etc. But it's even harder to read now I've seen Brek a few times. He offers just as little as Paddy defensively, but nothing close to what the Irishman can in an attacking sense. But I'm sure Danny has his reasons. 

I wasn't too impressed with Dawson yesterday either. Can't ever fault him for effort, but there's something in his head I think that's left over from the Hillcroft era. It's sideways and back, all the time. And the strange thing is, he's more than a holding player for me. He's shown that in the past. He can drive forward, and he can score decent goals. But then, we've better options in terms of attacking midfielders. 
I suppose with Frimpong and Mellis now suspended, he'll have another chance to impress, but I feel time's possibly running out for him as a BFC player. He's no better than Hassell in that position, and I think young Digby deserves a run as well. Then there's Martin Woods and Liam Lawrence. We'll see. I hope he comes good again, he seems a likeable bloke. 

WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS 





I think we've got to remain positive. We played one of the form teams yesterday on their own patch, with just ten men for 50 minutes. We restricted their chances, and whilst I reckon better sides would have probably beaten us comfortably in the same circumstances, we held strong/firm and I think a neutral supporter would have agreed that we were unlucky not to get a point out of the game. 

It's easy to trot out clichés, but after other results went in our favour, it really is 'as you were' in terms of the table. Ok, it's another game gone, but I have seen enough since Danny returned to give me hope that we're at least going to fight for survival. I wasn't so sure Flitcroft's reds even had any fight left in them. 
There's more quality in Wilson's side as well. Certainly more pace. 

There'll be no easy games, and a high flying Ipswich side visit Oakwell next. But a quite poor (at the time) reds side were more than a match for the Tractor Boys at Portman Road in the reverse fixture, so I see no reason to fear them whatsoever. If the boys remain positive (they should do) then I feel we'll be able to get back on track. And with fellow strugglers Doncaster, Millwall and Charlton to play this month, by March we could be out of trouble. 







UP THE TARN!