After a summer of clean slates, clear outs and a whole new approach you could be forgiven for thinking yesterday was going to be a new dawn for BFC supporters as we entertained Crawley Town in our first game back at this level for eight years. As it turned out, this BFC supporter saw the 'same old, same old' and had to keep asking those around him if we'd actually started a new season at all. It was all too familiar for my liking, and not the start I'd hoped we'd get off to. However, that is all that it was - the start.
But I'm an opinionated so and so, and this is my blog. A vehicle to get things off my chest, to praise and criticise where I see fit. And so that is what I'll continue to do this season. If you're wanting a thousand words on how hunky dory everything is at Barnsley Football Club then I suggest you contact Mark Stokes. If you expect me to be that guy, then better still, get in touch with the club and get them to give me a job. I'll more than happily blow smoke up their backsides for payment.
So, if you're happy to read one bloke's honest and non-agenda led opinions on everything BFC, then you're in the right place.........
I wore my new away shirt yesterday. It's the first replica shirt I've owned since 2006, the last time we were playing in the pub league. Birthday present off r old boy. I like it. And I wore it with pride as I met up with Red Roy and West Ham Dave once again as we embarked on our pub league campaign by first attending the pub. We decided to visit the pub formerly known as Macey's but now re-branded 'The Lemon Tree' or summat. We did this because the sun was shining and we wanted to enjoy that by sitting outside with our pints.
Within a few minutes of being sat down and soaking up the rays whilst discussing the football, a bird decided to unload from above. We didn't see the offender, just his load. We're guessing it was a pigeon. If it was aiming for one of our heads, it failed miserably. I doubt that it was though, as my forehead is pretty difficult to miss. It's target was Dave's pint. Plop. From 50 feet or so, it was a fantastic shot. The pint was exchanged for a fresh one, so fair play to them for that and we took the bird drop and plop as a good omen.
I soon got in touch with Hicksy at the newly opened Redfearn's Bar to ask how busy it was down there, to see if it was worth our trouble to visit. He implored us to get down and so we made our way down to Oakwell around 2pm. I then purchased us a couple of copies of WSB, had a brief chat with Dyson who told me the bar was rammed. But before we could see for ourselves, we had to go to the main reception where Roy had to collect a couple of tickets he'd won by answering a question on Dearne FM. Plan was to chip in £8 apiece for the other ticket, making it as cheap as football ought to be.
We were in there a while though, waiting. I bumped into Stokesy, funnily enough. Can't remember what was said but I'm guessing it was summat to do with the big cold sore I'd grown on my lip for the new season. I spent most of the afternoon showing it to folk, who all seemed jealous that they'd not got one themselves. And then finally we procured the tickets, realised we were upper tier of the East Stand and then headed into Redfearn's, after a short wait in the queue and signing a form.
Now, I'd never previously been into the bar before under its different guises, but I was told it was very small and looked more like a bookies than a bar. I was surprised then to see it was much bigger than I'd imagined although yes, it did indeed seem like a Ladbrokes. But those supporters involved in putting it all together had done a remarkable job in my opinion and the turnout fantastic. We were in there from 2.10pm until about 2.50pm and had no bother getting served quite promptly. But as ever on matchdays, my plan to take lots of photos always ends up being forgotten. I start drinking/talking and totally forget. And so I'm slightly annoyed that I didn't get a photo of the inside of the bar. But trust me, it was well attended and everyone well behaved. I did though have some sympathy with both Hicksy and Gally who were serving behind the bar and looked like Lee Evans on stage, sweat dripping from every orifice, particularly Gally who at one point I thought was going to pinch my pint to refresh himself.
I have no idea how much it cost to stock the bar, and no idea how much was spent in it, but based on little but intuition I'd suggest its first day in operation was a success and long may that be the case. I don't wear one, but if I did I'd take my hat off to all involved. Funny how things are so successful when fans are providing other fans something. Like WSB too. Another cracking read as ever, the best part being the voucher that enabled us to have a free growler in Redfearn's. And what a growler it was. If somewhat hot. And by somewhat I mean ridiculously. It didn't stop Roy tucking in straight away though, with his asbestos gob. And we enjoyed trying to explain to Dave why a pork pie was to us a growler. It was his first warm (RED HOT) one ever, and he loved it. Blummin' southerners.
We then made our way round to the East Stand, but I had the tickets that Roy had won so we made him queue up alone to get in. Stood taking the píss. We weren't happy about being in that stand though, we're West Standers, lower tier at that. And there's just no atmosphere up there. Our seats were right at the very top, the same row that I sat on from 1994 until 1998. It's a spectacular view and helps give you a better look at the lads from a tactical standpoint, but as I say, there's no atmosphere. No singing, no encouragement, nothing. In fact, as the lads prepared to kick off I gave out my usual 'YOUUUU REEEDS!' but got funny looks from what I'm guessing are regular library goers.
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| Red Roy predicting the amount of goals we wouldn't score |
The game then. Well, as we didn't take up our seats until about 2.58pm we didn't know the starting lineup. And from those seats, we struggled to make out who was who for a while. But it was pretty much the eleven I'd expected, but Adam Davies in for (I'm assuming injured) Ross Turnbull, and Luke Berry in midfield rather than Brad Abbott who I felt deserved a start after an impressive pre season.
As you know, I don't do match reports. But the game was a poor affair. I don't think Crawley were any good if I'm honest, but they were more positive, more adventurous and the better side in the first half in my opinion. They also created the better openings, albeit with the help of our lads, especially captain Martin Cranie who put in a performance well below his usual standards. He's always had positional problems, seems to go wandering for no reason, but he's normally solid in general. But not yesterday, not for me. I still think he's a holding midfielder.
The opposition came close on a couple of occasions, once when their lad capitalised on some Cranie dithering. But they couldn't make it count. Another bit of shoddy defending from Lewin Nyatanga allowed Crawley captain Josh Simpson in towards the area, but his shot wasn't struck well and bobbled against the outside of the post. But aye, the signs were all there in that first half. The opposition (with just as many new faces) were more effective in their work, be it the football they served up or the 'professional' job done in the midfield especially. They bullied our midfielders, who when out of possession may as well have been sat up in the Gods with us. I can only recall the one decent tackle from Conor Hourihane in there. We rarely won owt aerially either. Didn't stop our lads constantly firing high ball after high ball at our not very tall strikers, mind. Bizarre tactics.
We did create a couple of half chances. Some good work wide right from Reece Brown saw him find Sam Winnall on the edge of the 'D' but he took far too long to make a decision and the chance went. The anonymous Dale Jennings, again looking rather big had probably our best effort. He'd already done his usual party trick a few minutes prior but dragged that effort wide, however his next attempt was curling into the far corner until experienced keeper Brian Jensen clawed it out brilliantly. That was about that really. There were the odd glimpses of a passing game. Quick interchanging, players actually moving and that. But they were very few and far between. For the most part, it was direct without purpose. Very last season, from different players altogether.
One of the main culprits was new left back, loanee Joe Dudgeon, but he was in my opinion our standout performer at the back, making so many clearing headers, coming inside to do the jobs that Cranie and Nyatanga had failed to do. I was impressed with him, a big improvement on last years left back, not that it was difficult. However, both he and Lewin's constant firing of long balls into Danny Rose down the left worried me. He's no Chris O'Grady, young Danny. He's a penalty box striker. I hope it was nerves or whatever and not an actual pre planned strategy to employ him out left and fire silly balls at him.
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| "fiver sez tha can't get sent off" |
The second half started out better I reckon, and to be honest early on I thought Crawley had perhaps ran out of gas. We were starting to use the ball better and created a few decent openings. There was a terrific turn, run and then shot from distance from Hourihane which Jensen saved easily. A great bit of work out on the right which resulted in Winnall's shot being directed straight at the big keeper. And a wonderful ball crossed in by Cranie which found an unmarked Jennings who somehow contrived to head it upwards and over the bar from about 6 yards out. A glaring miss.
Soon after that, Jennings was twice halted by full back Gwion Edwards, both of them ending up on the floor. It wasn't Dale's day. He then put a full stop on that by grabbing hold of Edwards' throat in retaliation after an x-rated lunge on him by the same player. It was a shocking challenge, a red card 99 times out of 100. But in reality, it's only a red card challenge 1 time out of 100 if committed by opponents of BFC. Ludicrously, the referee only deemed it a bookable offence, much to our astonishment. But to further enrage the 10,000 plus Tarn supporters, referee Jeremy Simpson brandished the red card to Dale and for the second successive opening day of the season, he made the walk of shame and headed for an early bath/shower.
It was a red card as well. He grabbed Edwards by the throat. By the letter of the law, that warrants a dismissal. I can understand his anger, after a 'tackle' that could have easily broken his leg. But come on. To react as he did was foolish, and cost us and him both in the short term (we lost) and long term (he's suspended for three games). I think he needs to rein in that temper of his. As well as perhaps cutting out the junk food he posts photos of on twitter etc. The fact is, an on form, fit and firing Dale Jennings should be terrorising the likes of Gwion Edwards. We've seen great stuff from him in a reds shirt. However, I've seen more bad than good and the jury is still out in terms of how good he actually is. I'm of the belief that a certain other winger/attacker of a similar age could do with the same sort of faith and run of games afforded to Dale, but he again seems to be surplus to requirements. Perhaps the suspension for Jennings will open the door for Reuben Noble-Lazarus? It's up to him to then take it. I think he's our most talented laiker, and I've no idea why every manager ignores him, or, at least, don't trust him to feature regularly for the first team.
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| RNL's time is now... or perhaps never |
Back to the game and in truth, I don't think the sending off affected us too much. Indeed, we were still the side doing the pressing. But the lack of ideas was all too evident. Whereas, former Sheff Utd striker Izale McLeod was the best player on the pitch. A constant menace from kick off, and when he wasn't even barely stopped by the reds defenders from a late corner he headed the visitors into the lead. We've seen that same corner for years now. The away side (unlike us) can deliver their set pieces with accuracy, pace and whip. And this was a good delivery, and McLeod did finish it expertly in the air, albeit unchallenged. Which is the gutting thing for me. Unchallenged. Why do we never have someone attacking the same ball? They just stand with a man and so if one of them runs at them they're never beating them from a standing start. It's schoolboy stuff. All four defenders in particular to blame. And those four are our experienced lads. Worrying stuff, but hopefully solved in the weeks to come.
The away side could have added to their lead. But didn't. We had one final effort, where substitute Nana couldn't get enough on his header from a superb cross from Dudgeon. Full time. A few jeers. We got off sharpish and headed for a few beers...
Before the game, it was announced that Danny had made his eleventh summer signing, with former Bristol City striker Leroy Lita joining on a 12 month deal. He's not my cup of tea if I'm honest, but you'd still expect him to bang in the goals at this level. Would he have made much of a difference yesterday? Would other recent recruit Keith Treacy have had an impact yesterday had he got longer than half an hour? Who knows, but hopefully their pedigree is a clue and we'll see such an impact in the games coming up.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Davies - 5 - Suspect kicking, poor handling and no presence in his area. Can't be faulted for the goal, but on this showing he's not yet ready to be number one. Experience will do him good though, I'm not writing him off. But that 'camera' save he did late in the game nearly went very badly wrong.
Brown - 6 - A centre half playing at right back. Saw way too much of the ball, did little with it. We need a specialist option, at least. But I do like Brown, but perhaps at centre half please Danny?
Cranie - 5 - He's not a leader, and not a very good defender either. He's good on the ball, has technical quality and can see a pass. He's a midfielder. Our defence since he became the mainstay in 2012 has been dreadful. We can't surely keep pointing the finger at everybody else, can we? I know some who will.
Nyatanga - 6 - Needs better studs. Needs to give Cranie a shake. I thought he was ok yesterday, but nowt special. Questions to be asked of him for the Crawley goal.
Dudgeon - 7 - First competitive game for ages, and looked our best defender throughout. Needs to be reminded that you're allowed to cross halfway though, because when he does, his delivery is spot on. Impressed with him.
Berry - 4 - Fish out of water. Not going to pull him apart or owt, he was clearly out of position and struggled to know his role. But aye, offered nowt either way and very weak. Feel for Digby and Abbott who I'd prefer in there.
Bailey - 6 - Class on the ball, great passing range so long as it was side to side, but offered nothing whatsoever defensively and rarely ventured forward. A good footballer for sure, but one who needs to fire himself up and get into the game. Passenger for much of yesterday.
Hourihane - 8 - My man of the match. Impressive on the ball, always looking to get the ball and to get us going forward. Put his foot in more than the other 'defensive minded' lads. His set pieces however were awful. I'm guessing TK coached him before departing last month...
Jennings - 4 - AWOL for much of the first half. Had one good moment and nearly scored a great goal. But Paddy was capable of that and nowt else and he got pelters, as does Reuben. He seems incapable of taking a man on on the outside, and in my opinion looks too heavy. Again. Dismissal deserved, but the challenge on him was a disgrace. I hope he struggles to get back in the side because that'll mean we're doing well. Some suggest he's our best laiker, and I agree that he can be. Big season for him. Not the start he wanted.
Rose - 5 - Didn't get the service he thrives on. Worked hard enough, but seeing him outside the box, out wide etc only emphasized his lack of quality, and strangely for a young, slim lad, a real lack of pace. Lucky that the idiot referee didn't red card him for the two Maradona's.
Winnall - 7 - Thought he too lacked service, but he had good strength and worked very hard to win and retain possession. Impressed with him, and confident that he'll make the step up. Again though, not the sharpest. Squad lacks pace again, which worries me.
I won't mark the subs, such was their impact. Or lack of.
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| Man of the Match |
I left Oakwell, saw Hicksy and Gally again, thanked them etc. We headed to Groggers and had a couple of pints in there before we said our goodbyes and I caught my train home. It was an enjoyable afternoon, shared with good pals, good people. The 90 minutes football is more of an inconvenience if owt. I know I'm critical, I know I bairn about stuff now and again. But I'm not as arséd as some folk would think. I'm actually pretty pleased with the state of affairs at BFC right now. We've a cracking set of lads following us, we're not running up huge debts, our management and coaching team are all decent blokes without agendas, an owner who cares about his club and despite yesterday's defeat we're in a good place I think, much better than we were just a few months ago.
I suppose it was never likely to all click into place on day one. I think Danny intimated as much in his presser on Thursday, where he was talking about getting better as the season goes along, and being great at the end. That was him expecting a tough start. And yesterday was just that. We did though, lose to the better side. In my opinion. Crawley deserved their victory. It's probably a new low for me as a reds fan, watching my side beaten by a glorified non league side. No offence to them, and absolute respect to the couple of hundred Crawley supporters who were there yesterday.
I saw nothing but smiley, happy faces though as we exited Oakwell. Seriously, either everybody was too drunk to care, or folk are just accepting of the current position, happy to wait and see. I hope so. It's going to take time is this, but I'm still confident that we'll do well this season. I also hope the support for the club remains like that. A good 10,000 home fans for Crawley in League One? Great backing at this level. We'll need that.
I'll end now, and that's by thanking those involved in Redfearn's Bar, West Stand Bogs and of course, Red Roy and West Ham Dave who are a pair of plums but great lads and top company. I'll see you both for the Donny game next month. I'm off on my hols soon. Hope the reds can get the season started properly whilst I'm away sunning myself in Snowdonia....
Up The Tarn.
'Love Barnsley, Hate Football'
Whitey.
