COULD IT BE MAGIC?

After thirteen days and much speculation, the club have today appointed Danny Wilson's successor with Oldham Athletic manager, Lee Johnson becoming Barnsley FC 'Head Coach' after signing a three and a half year contract. One of the early front-runners with the bookmakers, Johnson at 33 is one of the youngest 'managers' in the Football League and with just over 100 games in management he's pretty much the polar opposite of Wilson, who had recently passed the 1,000 games in management landmark to much acclaim. The latest man in the red hot seat at Oakwell leaves fellow League One club, Oldham in 9th position, just a couple of points ahead of us at present. He's been held up as one of those 'up and coming', 'bright young things'. We've been here before, haven't we? 


As you'll remember from my last post, thirteen days ago, I wasn't too pleased to learn of Danny's departure, and I certainly didn't take the given reasoning for the decision well either. See, I'd thought we were planning long term, building summat, that this was a season of transition. Turns out, it is, we were/are. But the club didn't want Danny to oversee all that anymore. Their prerogative I suppose. To be fair, CEO Ben Mansford and our owner and custodian, Patrick Cryne did go out of their way last week to build bridges somewhat by attending a meeting with a group of supporters where certain events and decisions were explained. I respect them for doing that, and appreciate the work put in at short notice by the WSB lads to pull it off. 


I'm finding it difficult to formulate much of an opinion on this appointment though. However, I did enjoy listening to Johnson speak earlier at the press conference, and on TV. He came over as a very calm and confident lad, ambitious but without bravado and thoughtful enough not to make any bold claims that may well have come back to bite him on the arsé. 

My only few quibbles at this embryonic stage would be the amount of words he used ending in 'phy' and 'logy'. And the fact he recently signed Jacob Mellis... 

It's very unlike BFC to appoint a manager on anything but a rolling contract, and I feel they've this time disclosed the length of it to get it over to us the supporters that this manager/coach will be here twice as long as the last few were. But, I won't hold my breath on that. Because I guarantee that were we now to lose a succession of games and end up relegated they'd be sacking another manager and figuring out a new long term plan that they could change again. And again. It's a results based business, as Ben would say, and 'LJ' as I'll be calling him (as I'm lazy like that) will be judged on them in the main, and on everything else afterwards. 


He's been left some very good footballers to be fair. And the young lads breaking out of the academy setup give our squad some real depth at little expense. Of course, we've a fair few players I'd not be sad to see the back of, and I'm sure LJ will use the next few months to assess what we've got here and reshape the group as he sees fit in order to be a lot more competitive next season. 


We're just a handful of points off the playoffs this season, with plenty more to play for. But it'd take a ridiculous run of form and results I feel to actually make that dream a reality, and so all I'm hoping for during the very beginning of Lee's career here is to see some kind of method to our football, full on commitment from every player, a bit of an identity to our play/tactics and obviously, some pleasing results - preferably at home - in order to take some positive momentum forward into 2015-16. As I always say, I don't ask for much, I'm a Barnsley supporter.. 


I'm assuming the forums online will have a few folk who are underwhelmed or against Johnson's appointment. I've not been on the 'BBS' much the last couple of days, I feel better for that actually. Friends of mine will know just how close I was recently to calling time on that forum, in terms of my input anyway. The negativity on there is incessant and helps nothing and nobody. But then all this happened with Danny etc, and I sort of relented. I'm sure it goes without saying for the vast majority of us who follow Barnsley, but we all want the best for the club, don't we? And it'd be easier to achieve that if we all chilled the fúck out from time to time, showed a modicum of patience and supported the club and its ideas. It'd help enormously though if the club were on board with that too...

I'm not disappointed, I'm not underwhelmed by the clubs choice of new manager/coach. I've no idea whether LJ is any good. None of us have a clue. He's won, drawn and lost almost an equal amount of games. Having spoken with a few Oldham supporters, they too don't know how good he really is. So I'm just going to continue backing my club. I hope Johnson proves to be our best ever manager. It'd make my sadness over losing our best ever manager easier to move on from... 





I did get the thoughts of an Oldham supporter though, on the last 24 hours etc. His name is Neil Greenwood and here's what he had to say this afternoon. 

From what I’ve read on twitter from Barnsley fans it seems to be the majority aren’t too pleased to have LJ as manager. That takes me back to when he was first linked with us. There was genuine anger from a lot of Latics fans back then, I think my own personal tweet at the time was along the lines of this being some kind of sick joke; we want someone with experience and all the other things fans think will make a good appointment. A few days later he was here, Lee Johnson, Oldham Athletic Manager. After a few days we started reading about why he was appointed and it was hard not to be impressed with someone who had spent summers and international breaks going over to other countries learning his trade. You had to be quite impressed with the effort he'd put in. The first day in the job he asked one of Oldham’s ‘star’ players who was wearing an ear ring on the training field if he wanted to be a professional footballer or look like one. Again, impressive.

The season in which he was appointed, the league campaign had been awful, we looked like relegation candidates right through it. He managed to keep us up with a bit to spare and he got the best out of Matt Smith in particular who had scored just the 1 league goal at home in 2 years prior to Johnson coming in. Last season was a bit poor, but towards the end of the season he sured up the defence and we went 10 or 11 games unbeaten to finish a lot higher than we ever threaten to do.

This season has been our best season in years with regards to results and league position, it could have been a lot better had we got points against the bottom 3 clubs which we seem to be unable to beat. He won a lot of plaudits over the way he handled the Ched Evans affair, he first kept a dignified silence and then won respect over an extremely delicate situation. Overall he has improved our league position every season, which as a fan is all you can really ask.

Tactics wise his style of play is one for the purists although sometimes it becomes a bit too purist and rather boring. His 3 at the back at home to Yeovil when we lost 4-0 was one of the worst things I have ever seen. He has brought plenty of players into the club. I reckon I wouldn’t be far wrong saying he has had 60/70 players during his 2 years at Latics, a hell of a lot but he is quick to ship players out if they are not working out. Be prepared for a lot of tinkering which is a bit infuriating at times.

As a man I can’t really comment, he seems a decent chap and once sent me a DM on twitter to congratulate me on the birth of my son which I always thought showed a touch of class, he really didn’t have to do it.

His departure I’m not too bothered about, it’s a blow but being an Oldham fan you realise that players and managers come and go, especially if they are successful.

I would say it’s a good appointment for Barnsley, I think he will leave you a better club than the one which he joins today. If he can get a decent No9 which his teams cry out for, he'll do well. If you asked me to compare him to anyone in the league I’d say Keith Hill, take from that what you will..

If any of this sounds a bit down on Johnson it’s not meant to be, the overall goal is to improve and he did that. He leaves our club in a lot better position that he first found it. I wish him the best of luck (except on the 14^th March). 

Many thanks to Neil for sharing that with us, you can follow him on twitter 'HERE' if you want. I wish Oldham the best going forward and I hope their new manager can continue the work that LJ started there. Although I expect him to receive a bit of a frosty reception in a fortnights time... 

That's it for the blog today. I'll be guesting on the Radio Barnsley Football Show again next week where hopefully I'll be discussing a good start to the Lee Johnson era at Barnsley Football Club. Magic Johnson? Could it be? Fingers crossed, eh?

I'll end though for now by thanking all three of Mark Crossley, Paul Heckingbottom and Mark Burton for their good work since Danny was sacked. A first away win in three months was a fantastic way to sign off, and I hope they're valued as highly by the new management regime as they are by myself and many other reds supporters. Thanks, lads. 

Hate Barnsley, Hate Football

"It is Einstein's definition of madness to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the outcome to be different" PATRICK CRYNE MAY 2011




After 29 games of a 'transitional' first season back in the old third division, Barnsley FC today parted company with its fourth manager in four years. In that time, the reds have gone from 17th in the Championship to 17th in League One. The above quote from our owner and benefactor preceded the appointment of Keith Hill, a success in his first managerial role with Rochdale AFC. A bloke who had built a reputation at Spotland for developing young and often, 'broken' talent/toys. Players who were sold on for good money. Not only that, his side played good football, on the deck. He also wore Barbour coats, chewed gum and came out with barmy quotes you could fill a book with. His appointment saw mixed reactions. Personally, he was the bloke I'd wanted us to appoint and so I was chuffed with it, despite sadness that Mark Robins had departed under strange circumstances. But aye, Keith was here, I was happy and excited. He ticked all the boxes. Didn't he? You know, the boxes created by the owner/board? 





"The board believe it is time to be more radical, to do things differently. We will base the future of the club on quality recruitment and the intensive development of our own standout youth talent. This won't be an end to loan signings, but they will take a lower priority within our squad structure." 






We all know how that worked out. A side cobbled together on a shoestring, captained by 21 year old academy product, Jacob Butterfield were comfortably top half approaching the new year. We then ignored Einstein and sold our best wide player for £500,000 (as we'd done 12 months earlier with Adam Hammill). We lost players to injury, and then waved goodbye to a loan player we heavily relied on (Danny Drinkwater). We'd have lost our young captain for a pittance too had he not been one of the injured. We did eventually lose him though, a few months later for a pittance, funnily enough. Because "the club don't discuss new contracts until the winter months". Good old Don Rowing. 

We ended that first season under Keith and the 'radical approach' in truly horrific form and only retained our status thanks to Portsmouth and their poor mathematics. We were just as atrocious once the following season was a few weeks in. Having spent a grand total of fúck all. The Butterfield money plugged a gap caused by loss of TV revenue apparently. To his credit (stupidity?) Keith stuck to his task. He recruited Toni Silva (remember him?) and told us he'd turn him into a £3,000,000 player. We even signed a lad on a freebie on the strength of his surname (Wayne Rooney's brother). We were skint. Properly skint. But then found £5,000 per week to bring in superstar striker and unsuccessful fat-fighter, Mido, the former Ajax and Egypt international. Money well spent considering the 23 minutes we saw of him. All eighteen stones of him. 

Speaking of Stones, Keith had found his next academy lad to propel towards the big league. That an 18 year old lad, skinnier than me was probably our best laiker in that final four months of the Hill reign does say a lot for that radical strategy dreamed up in the boardroom at Oakwell in May of 2011. A myriad loan players that we definitely never relied on came and went. And went did Keith, after an afternoon on Grove Street where I'm still to this day convinced he'd given up and handed Don the bullets to fire him. To imagine Scott Wiseman replacing John Stones in a starting XI in any game of football sounds blummin' barmy now, doesn't it? It was barmy 30 months ago too. Like a lot of us back then, I think Keith had had enough. 

I'm not glossing over Keith's 2012. We won 8 games in that calendar year. By the 5-1 thrashing at Watford in November, I'd suggested in this very blog that perhaps he had to go. I could then and still can defend him however, I can offer context and mitigation to support him needing more time but more importantly, more support. But aye, the results were appalling and he died because of them. He was also too honest and unapologetic for the majority of Barnsley supporters' liking. He said what he liked. Reds fans rarely liked what he said. Unless we were winning and then he was King Keith. But results are king, Keith. Not you, and not clean sheets. 

"We need to create value within our squad, not to sell players, but to enjoy success." 






Despite flirting with Terry Butcher and Sean O'Driscoll and getting told thanks but no thanks, it seemed likely that former reds hero Craig Hignett was to be appointed as Hill's successor. But in caretaker charge we had Keith's protege and number two, David Flitcroft. It was incredible that he'd stayed behind, that we'd only got shut of one half of 'Hillcroft'. The form shown during that initial spell in charge was incredible too though. Winning football matches was unheard of back then. So after beating Dirty Leeds at Oakwell, the board changed their minds and told club legend Hignett, thanks but no thanks and appointed Keith's best mate. Wonderful.

What followed was possibly the most exciting period of football for us since Harry Bassett's first season in charge. A couple of shrewd acquisitions, some older heads reintroduced, or brought back in from the cold. It's no exaggeration to say that 'Flicker' did pretty much the opposite to what Hill had done. In terms of everything. Tactics, selections, tempo, interviews, results. That escape truly was great. In fact, as he would have said, it was special.. 






"I have had lengthy talks with Patrick and we have a shared vision." 

"We believe we have right manager in place now to deliver our long term vision." 







Nobody can blame the club if indeed they did cater to Flicker's every whim in the summer of 2013. The bloke had just masterminded a turnaround of biblical proportions. So he was given the green light to redecorate Oakwell's corridors, he got a new team bus, trips to St George's Park, changed the players entrance, renamed the gym in honour of John Stones, the skinny lad we sold to the Premier League for just £2,200,000. No. I've not heard of him since either... 

The manager was allowed to retain whoever he wanted, which he did, but then never picked them again (well, not until he became Bury manager). He even gave Bobby Hassell a new contract which was a fantastic boost for the commentary box in the West Stand. The previous seasons heroes were rewarded by not getting games and the "too old for a two year deal" keeper Luke Steele at 28 years old was soon replaced by a 41 year old pal of Flitcroft's who'd not played football much. 


It was mental last season. Off the back of winning 60% of his first 20 odd games I can only assume Flicker thought he could do owt, work miracles and so he decided to revert back to the Keith Hill approach, both in terms of tactics and attitude. Then he woke up, signed Paddy McCourt and after a brief glimmer of hope we returned to our losing ways, propping up the division with two wins from 18 games. The "man to lead us long term" was sacked in the November, less than a year in the job. Memories made. 

"Danny was at the top of our shortlist, we're delighted he's back!" 






So we go back to December of 2013. After much rumour, club legend and the only boss to take us into the top flight in our history, Danny Wilson returned. This time, to try and save us from relegation to the third tier. We were rooted to the foot of the table and it was always going to be a mammoth task, legend or not. Facts are, it never really got going did it? 

Strange though, because I remember going to Elland Road for his first match back, two thousand of us serenading him with all the 90's classics, he'd even brought Hassell in from the cold who put in an immense display in the centre of the park, as we dug out a 0-0 draw despite being reduced to ten men. I walked out of that old stadium that evening convinced that aye, Flicker and Keith had failed, they'd ignored our better players, got us playing horrid football and now we'd got our Danny back and we'd soon be safe and planning on attacking the playoffs the next season. Seriously. 

But nothing really changed. It got a wee bit better, some results gave you renewed vigour and belief. But deep down, we were going down and I could see it weeks before it was confirmed. Some of the signings he made looked canny on paper. On the pitch they looked horrendous. His decision to cast Hassell back into the wilderness was absolutely baffling. The behaviour of some of the players (at Huddersfield or on twitter) said it all. We were a joke, and whilst it was sad to see on Teeside our surrender and goodbye to the Championship, I sort of felt relieved too. We could rebuild now. Get the deadwood cleared out, stop signing loan players and win more games than we lose at a level lower down. I don't ask for much. I'm a Barnsley supporter. 





"We'll put together a strong, winning side, we'll be competitive next season but we do really need to limit the amount of loan signings." 

So we went into this new season, that level lower down and after a vast array of changes in playing personnel you must have, deep down, expected things to be a lot better than they've proven to be for us thus far? I didn't expect a promotion, or smashing sides up every other week. But I assumed we'd fare better than losing 50% of our games, going out of one cup at home to Crewe, nearly going out of the FA Cup against non league opposition at home. I've had to endure some of the worst football I can remember seeing, in a fair amount of games too. 

There was a slight upturn in fortunes a few months ago when we turned Bradford, Rochdale and Sheff Utd over. Three sides in or around the top six as we speak (type). We deserved to beat Bristol City too when they came here with their unbeaten record. Struggling after that to think of another good performance I've seen all season (I was on holiday when we smashed Gillingham). 

I honestly expected lots more from each of our centre halves, at this level. We have now gone 18 months with Dale Jennings and he's only shown up for about 6 weeks of that time. Chance after chance squandered. Meanwhile, we saw fit to get shut of Reuben Noble-Lazarus who was never afforded anything like that kind of run. Marquee signings Leroy Lita and Keith Treacy didn't deliver for Danny. The form of Kane Hemmings goes from weak to weaker, by the week. We supposedly couldn't guarantee Danny Rose games, yet in nearly 50 appearances between them this season, Hemmings and Lita have scored just four league goals. The 'developing our own youth' excuse washes only if you're developing them. That means giving them a proper run. But we've instead cast some out to make way for either older failures, or other clubs' youngsters on short term loan deals. It's just bewildering. And if that's Danny's fault, then it's those in charge to blame as well. They sanction these decisions surely? 

But there's things Danny got right too. I believe the signings of Conor Hourihane, Sam Winnall, Luke Berry, Adam Davies and on early viewing, Josh Scowen have been very good and all of them are of a good age and tied down to suitable length contracts. We've missed Winnall massively, as I said we would. Take Harry Kane out of the Spurs side right now, see how they get on. His injury has also affected the form of Hourihane. I agree all day long that Conor's not been great for a while now, and I'm not feebly trying to find excuses for him. But you go back and watch highlights of our good play/goals this season. The pair of them work so well together, bring out the best in one and other. You can't deny that Danny's had shít luck there. 

We also lost Devante Cole. He offered us something we've not had since - pace and a threat out wide. He took a chance on Alex Kiwomya probably thinking he'd be at that same level. He's not. I think Milan Lalkovic might yet be that man out wide and it's far too early to write him off. He too could prove to be another decent acquisition made by Wilson. And look how many academy products he's introduced. The likes of James Bree, George Smith and Mason Holgate in particular look very special and will hopefully earn us money in the coming years if this time we get true value for lads we've put so much work into developing.

It's also to be remembered that until Tuesday night's humbling, we'd not been beaten at Oakwell in months and had won our previous four. The away form has been dire, granted, but we've played a few cracking sides on those occasions which you have to take into account I feel. We're not drawing games. I think that's why we're still in a position in the table where a truly consistent and solid run could see us in the playoffs. And I genuinely do believe we can field an XI when all are available that ought to be capable of beating any side in this division, and regularly. 




I do then, as you can tell, see both sides of the Danny coin. I can totally understand why some would see this dismissal as the right choice. And I fully appreciate the opposed viewpoint that sacking him is daft. Most folk that I know are in the second camp of thinking. They're so angry, so frustrated at this decision that many of them - in this hot moment - are suggesting "I'm done" with BFC. And I'm not talking casual reds here, I'm talking proper diehard supporters. 


Of course, this is Danny Wilson though. He took us to the promised land. He'll be forever remembered for what he achieved first time around and so I have no doubt that a lot of people are clouding their true feelings and opinions with the memories of yesteryear. I know I have. Kind of. Because I've been more willing to accept his mistakes than I have in the past with Hill and Flitcroft. I've bitten my tongue on occasions when Danny's annoyed me, where in the past I'd have been quick to wade in. 




As anybody who has read my twitter timeline today will have noticed, I took the dismissal of Danny rather badly. The swear words were a giveaway. I was at work upon learning of his sacking. My mate Red Roy delivered the bad news, via txt. I don't care what tha thinks, I felt teary-eyed. Seriously. I felt like someone close to me had died. I walked home in a daze, gutted and more and more píssed off with every new soundbite coming out of Oakwell/Ben Mansford's mouth. You see, I could actually move on quite easily from this course of action if any of it made sense. But little does. 

"We've noticed a drop off in attendance recently. For a club with the 6th best gates we should be doing better as a business."





Really, Ben? We're using Sheffield United logic now are we? Fúck right off with that absolute nonsense. First off I suggest you look at our home crowds this season. We've had between 8,000 to 9,000 home supporters. Obviously, if you play Bradford at Oakwell and they bring 3,000 in September it's going to 'drop off' when Fleetwood bring 89 (yes, 89) on a Tuesday in February.

Away from home we're second best in the division for travelling. We've also the worst behaved fans in the country, Ben said recently. Confusing isn't it? But yes, recently the amount travelling has reduced (they're all locked up?), because the Chesterfield and Sheff Utd trips are only once a league season and we have to then go to Walsall and Milton blóody Keynes. What a poor comment to make. You know summat else, attendances bring in money, that's true, but they don't guarantee you league positions otherwise Sheffield Wednesday would be World Champions probably.. 

This business stuff trotted out today on numerous occasions. Why? I'll tell you why, it's because they're struggling to back up the decision to dispense of Danny on pure footballing reasons. Yes, we know Danny's a good bloke, cheers for reminding us. Yes, we appreciate we ought to be doing better, no problem with that. But as a 'football club', or a 'football team'. Not a business. I got home this afternoon, and Ben's there on SkySports News, telling me the 'business rationale' is why Danny has got the sack. 

Come again? 

What's wrong with just telling us the manager wasn't getting the results we feel we should be getting, that he's not getting performances from certain players and that all along this season the goal was to gain promotion? I could have swallowed that, apart from the promotion bit because not once was that suggested by anyone at the club this summer as the remit. 

I will at this point - without disclosing the detail - let readers know that I conversed with someone right at the heart of the club this afternoon, and told them exactly what I felt. They took my thoughts on board, and, admitted the statement from the club this morning wasn't good and in hindsight they regret the wording etc. Fair play for admitting as much. I think it was overly harsh to include in that statement the supposed budget and how it compares etc etc. I don't feel the reference to money so much is relevant, when just two weeks ago the club revealed it cost us half a million pounds to remove the last management team... 




Let me clarify summat though. I don't hate the owner, nor the CEO or anyone at the club. Far from it. I appreciate they're probably trying their best to achieve the best for our club. But without us, the supporters, there is no football club. And so I find it baffling that the club has made a decision that from where I'm sitting has gone down overwhelmingly badly with us, the supporters. There were boos on Tuesday at full time. Would have been strange had there not been. But I don't recall any chants or banners calling for Wilson to go. Even the latest poll on the forum still supported Wilson remaining in charge. Most fans would have been willing to see out the season and see where it took us. But the club has again pulled the trigger, it's again ignoring Einstein and again searching for that mythical 'perfect' manager who wins every game..



I would suggest a few names I'd be happy with if given the reins this time around, but part of me wouldn't wish it upon them as I'm afraid they'll last between 12 and 18 months unless they're doing what only two managers have done in my lifetime and that's getting us promoted. This current ownership have sacked both of them, by the way.. 



But here goes, a few names... 


I think Steve Davis fits the bill perfectly, so long as he wins a lot of games. I have no idea whether Hignett or Hassell would make good managers, but even though they'd end up ruining their legendary status, I'd love to see them back at my club. Same goes for Nicky Eaden whose beard gets my vote if nowt else. I really like Tony Mowbray too. 


Some surnames that will end my BFC relationship if they end up at Oakwell in any capacity... 


Appleton, Laws, Morgan, Saunders, O'Driscoll, Butcher, Evans, Jones (of Wednesday fame), Warnock, Megson. The latter two not because of their historical allegiances, but because they're anti the ethos we're allegedly supporting. 



Early favourites? Mark Cooper of Swindon, and Oldham's Lee Johnson. Hmmmm.



This has been a long old post. I don't apologise for that. Nobody forced you here. But if you read all this and have an opinion on the content etc, feel free to comment in the, erm, comments section below. Cheers. 

"WALKING ALONG, SINGING A SONG, WALKING IN A WILSON WONDERLAND!" 



There's only one Danny Wilson. I will always see him as a Barnsley legend and forever a hero to me. As the most recently sacked three or four managers we've had prior to Danny's second coming are currently showing (Robins, Hill, Flitcroft and caretaker Mellon), they're not bad managers really. It's time the one constant in all this admitted their mistakes, and truly believed what they were saying when coming out with quotes from the likes of old Albert E... 





Whitey

PORT VALE REPORT

It's been a while since I've felt motivated enough to update this blog, I've been feeling a little bit 'Jennings' about it to be honest. It's not just via this vehicle though, I've tempered my enthusiasm on twitter and the forum too. Is it apathy or insouciance again? I've been plagued with that a lot over the last year or two. Or is it just circumstance? I mean, it's difficult isn't it to form opinions or make a judgment on an ever-changing topic? 

We've seen nearly 40 different lads pull on that famous shirt this season. It seems we've yet more new faces on the way. Our performances and thus our results are inconsistent at best. We lose every other game. The one player I've appreciated watching for us this season has missed the last couple of months of football. So aye, it's hard to find the enthusiasm. Perhaps apathy reigns again? Or has, reigned. Because here I am now, attempting to reignite my lust for everything BFC. 

It's trying. But I'm trying. 





Our opponents yesterday were mid table Port Vale. They'd beaten us in the reverse fixture with a late Mark Marshall strike, and they arrived at Oakwell with 'star' striker Tom Pope back from injury and just a few hundred supporters following them, which made it probably one Vale fan for every copper. Yes, there'd been some bother down in Burslem, back in September between a minority of both sets of fans and the police. The aftermath of that rumbled on for a while. The police even registered on our forum asking for information/names etc. 

That trouble apparently forced yesterdays game to be classified as all-ticket, and according to our own CEO the club will have made a financial loss because of that and the police bill. It was also revealed at a recent fan engagement forum that we're the worst club of the 92 for anti-social related behaviour and/or arrests. I'm yet to see this claim backed up with any kind of facts, but then I see no reason not to believe Ben Mansford who for any criticism received is pretty open with the fanbase. 

None of the above is good to hear. We've had a pretty awful few years of it being reds fans haven't we? Despite that, we've shown - as fans - that we're a loyal bunch, and within that fanbase we've some very good individuals who've brought nothing but pride and good publicity to BFC. Shame then that a few pillocks are seemingly more in focus. 

But enough of all that, there was a match played yesterday and here's what I've got to say about it, along with my usual nonsense of little relevance that I like to pad out the blog with. 

I met up with the gruesome twosome as usual, Red Roy and West Ham Dave, but also in attendance was Roy's lad and a former colleague of mine, Adam. Or as I like to call him, Alien Head. We had a quick pint in town before heading down Grove Street and into Redfearn's. I can't stress enough just how appreciative I am of this venue. If last seasons football was overshadowed positively by the emergence of the West Stand Bogs fanzine, then this seasons football has been easier to digest thanks to Redfearn's bar and the terrific lads/lasses involved in making it work as smoothly as it does. 

Was good to see so many familiar faces, and also nice to put new faces to names. You know who you are. I took my coat off, so as to feel the benefit when going to our seats in the Ponty. Probably wouldn't be that cold anyway to be fair as I was sure Roy would have booked us tickets pretty high up the stand, he's not daft. We took our pews, invited Phil (of Hemsworth fame) over to sit with us and rambled on about owt and nowt for an hour or so, had a couple of drinks before leaving at about 2.50pm. But only after the starting lineup and subs had been announced. Starts for Big 'Funny' Jean (PG rated) and Kane Hemmings surprised me. And knowing our Sam was back in the squad made me feel happy and warm... 

Red Roy, Phil, West Ham Dave and Alien Head

I wasn't warm once outside and heading for our seats. Before that though, Roy handing out our tickets like we were naughty kids being punished as such. "here... and if you carry on, I'll be getting you an away ticket as well". We found our seats. Good old Roy. He's not behind t'dooer. Just left of the nets, about 10 rows up. Reight laugh. And I'd left my gloves, scarf and hat at home. Quality. At least we could locate our position though. Dave (who's not called Dave) went for a slash in the first half, didn't return for 10 minutes. He'd got lost. Think he ended up in the East Stand. At half time, we left him talking to a mate outside about lorries and motorways etc, hid from him, and stood on the gangway watching him looking at the row we'd sat on first half, wondering where we were, wondering if he'd got lost again. This is the same Dave who according to Roy ended up in Denmark in his lorry recently rather than his intended destination of Germany. 



I always say this, but if you want to read a match report then there are plenty available but this isn't one of them. This is me remembering the odd event, discussing the tarn performance and giving Jennings stick. 

I thought we were quite poor in the opening stages. A couple of nothing balls into our box weren't dealt with by M'Voto but both Williamson and Pope weren't able to finish thankfully. We had that ten minute stoppage when one of their lads went down under an Hourihane challenge (see, he does make them). He came straight back on though after that lengthy treatment. Panto boos all round. We had some joy down the right with Lalkovic, our only real threat to be honest. He put in three great crosses which we failed to get on the end of. He had Dickinson's number, but the former reds loanee wasn't allowing him into the box, happy to let him put balls over or play passes inside which both Hourihane and Pearson in particular lost pretty quickly through either poor control or poor passing themselves. 

Our corners were decent as ever, and Ramage forced their keeper to punch one behind although he ought to have caught it I feel. Same again when Jennings decided to wake up for a minute and did his party piece of cutting inside and unleashing a blast from distsance. The keeper, Neal, pushing it over rather than holding it. The supposed reds target, Pope had another opportunity, again getting the better of M'Voto but his shot on the volley came off his shin and ended in the Ponty with us a few rows back where it was probably warmer. Eh, Roy? 

We took a fortunate lead in my opinion, as we entered the seven added minutes of injury time. The ineffective Jennings waddled over to the right, Lalkovic to the left and Milan the man immediately beat his full back, and the closing centre half before drilling a cross/shot over from the byline which Neal inexplicably turned into his own net. Bizarre, and the response from the crowd was rather muted. Apparently, so say Port Vale at least, the ball was a foot over the line when Lalkovic struck it. I've seen replays since and it looks suspect, for sure. But a foot over? Gi'or wi thi sen. An inch at best. 

And so we went in at the break leading despite being just as bang average as usual. The opposition were even worse, mind. But aye, it wasn't much fun. And it was cold.. 

The second half started off in a far more exciting manner, especially when Pearson picked up the ball deep in his own territory and began to run. He never stopped. Oreight, there weren't any challenges going in, but he broke at good speed and once within range he went for placement with the left foot and his shot was deflected off a defender and past Neal for 2-0. It was a heartwarming effort. My body remained cold though. 

I fully expected us to take them apart after that. I've watched tarn for 27 years now, so no idea why I expected that. And lo and behold, I expected wrong. What we got instead was a backs to the wall, 'brave' defensive rearguard action type thingy. Or, as I like to call it, we sat back like plums and invited a poor Port Vale onto us. No idea why. There was definitely the opportunity to score more goals, help out the goal difference etc. 

The first chance for the visitors came when Marshall jinked his way down the left and his cross was fumbled by Turnbull, hacked away by M'Voto but straight into Nyatanga, the ball ricocheting off him and only just over the bar and out for a corner. It was a close shave. Vale midfielder O'Connor then tried an audacious chip from the edge of the box, and Birchall's drive flew just over moments later as the inevitable goal seemed, erm, well, inevitable. 

Reds celebrate Pearson's solo strike

That goal came just after the hour mark when Dickinson put over a delicious first time cross from the left which substitute Daniel stabbed home unmarked. I feared the worst at this stage, and we were crying out for a change in midfield where again we were losing the battle, despite the best efforts of Pearson and a retreating Waring. I expected Jennings to be replaced myself. He'd offered his usual stuff - runs at folk now and again, beats them quite often, but no end product and some shocking short passes. 

The main issue I have with him though? His unwillingness to work. He allowed Dickinson and Marshall to team up down that flank and give Cranie all kinds of trouble. Not just his defensive work though, it's the attacking work too. He makes no runs. He's just stationary throughout. It's sad to see because he looks a lot leaner now, so I'm guessing he's fit. But again, there was one run and shot that he fired off (which was good to be fair) and he's on his knees afterwards, gasping for breath. It's proper weird. Terrific young footballer, but does he 'want it'? I'm open to debate on that. 

Anyway, Danny took Lalkovic off instead. Probably our best player to that point. On came Scowen for his home debut, and he added some bite to proceedings and no little quality too, which was good to see. Impressive little cameo. But Vale were still threatening. A corner from Lines was met by Pope at the far stick but his goalbound header was cleared brilliantly off the line by Hourihane. I'd assumed prior to that that Conor had disappeared through some kind of space/time portal or whatever, such was his impact, or lack of in that second half. But he did well on the line there, and soon afterwards he got off a trademark 20 yarder that Neal turned away well. 

We began to create chances again at this stage, as Vale pressed for a leveller. A lucky break ran for Hemmings who fired wide from an angle about 12 yards out. Another Hourihane scorcher was well blocked by a defender. Next goal winner. 

With around 10 minutes left to play, Danny had a change of heart and didn't put Lita on, instead we saw the return of Winnall, replacing a very dejected looking Hemmings who again had failed to take his first team opportunity, an opportunity he might not see again for a while. Shame, because he tries. But yesterday he looked out of his depth. Unlike the returning hero who showed us what we'd been missing since November with his terrific work rate, ability to create space and his direct attitude. Both he and Hourihane forced Neal into another couple of saves, Sam then delayed his pass into Conor which wasted a great opportunity to put the game to bed. But we looked lively towards the end, some positive signs. 

A final chance came for Vale in the 95th minute as Birchall's 25 yard drive was held but only at the second attempt by Turnbull. Despite the wally of a ref playing far too much added time, we hung on, and probably merited the victory and very valuable three points. 

I'll do some ratings then, eh? Feel free to pull them to pieces in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Or, just comment. Sup to thee. Am not thi dad or owt. 

ROSS TURNBULL - Didn't have much to do in terms of shot stopping. No fault for the goal. Claimed some high crosses well, bit nervy though on the ground once or twice. 6. 


MARTIN CRANIE - A solid return for the captain. First half especially, he put in some cracking tackles and supported Lalkovic well as an attacking outlet. Had his work cut out with Marshall second half but a good display by the bloke who loves toast. 8. 


PETER RAMAGE - Back from his latest injury, and played ok. Nothing more, nothing less. 6. 


JEAN-YVÉS M'VOTO - Standard Big Jean. A few iffy moments, some French flair as usual, and won plenty in the air against Pope who matched him well to be honest. Nothing much to write home about otherwise. 6. 


LEWIN NYATANGA - Thought he was as good as Cranie playing out of position, but I've dropped him a mark for the goal. I think Daniel was his man. 7. 


BEN PEARSON - He looks like a mascot playing professional football. First half, he couldn't find a pass, refused to shoot and other than graft I wasn't impressed much. Second half he held us together at times, ran the game for us and capped off a fine 45 with that lung busting run and goal. 9. 


CONOR HOURIHANE - Drifts in and out of the game. Doesn't look the player he did early doors. But still a threat with his deliveries, still forced the keeper into saves and cleared off the line. Even put a few tackles in. I rate him. But yesterday he wasn't great. I think Winnall's return will help him. Movement is key. 6. 


DALE JENNINGS - Shows what he's about in positive terms for small spells here and there. For the rest of it, he's practically begging to be dropped. One of those lads who looks gutted to be living the dream. He wants to try factory work, it's ace. Trust me. 5. 


MILAN LALKOVÍC - Looks like another good find. Works hard, full of tricks, bags of pace, not so sure regards end product at this very early stage, but technically he looks far too good to be playing at this level. I assume he's not totally match sharp either. Can't wait to see him and Winnall in the same side. 8. 


KANE HEMMINGS - Worked hard but lacks confidence I reckon. Nothing went for him, and he looked like a dead man walking when subbed off. I fear he's running out of chances. 5. 


GEORGE WARING - Put in a terrific shift, showed good touches and brought others into play. Basically gave us the sort of outlet, target man display we've asked for all season. Could be a good foil for Winnall. 9. 


JOSH SCOWEN - Showed some of the anticipated tenacity and bite, but also a touch of class on the ball. Only 20 minutes or so, but in that brief showing, I wouldn't mind seeing him start on Tuesday alongside Pearson. 7. 


SAM WINNALL - Didn't look like he'd been out for 10 weeks at all. Just as hard working, creative and threatening as ever. Gave the fans a great lift. A fit and on form Sam Winnall is the key to us pushing on and ending the season in good spirits. 8. 


PAUL DIGBY - Wasn't on long enough to judge. 




DANNY WILSON - Obviously went with the four centre halves, our experienced laikers in an effort to quell the direct approach of the visitors. Not sure it worked myself, as Vale certainly had their chances with our defence in bother on more than one occasion. His quotes on Pope all week have bothered me too. I thought we didn't go about our business in that manner. I thought wrong. Seems very Sheffield United of us to be talking about other clubs' players. It's another three points at Oakwell though, we've certainly tightened it up as well recently, and if we can back that up with another home win on Tuesday, perhaps Danny can escape stick for a while. Had Vale equalized yesterday, I can only imagine the reaction online etc... 6/10. 

I was tempted to rate the Jackson's carrier bag that made an appearance first half. It showed some good endeavour down the left hand side. The ballboy near us too, he did well. Touched the ball more than Hourihane first half. Had a face like a wet weekend though. Probably a Wednesdayite. Gutted that I didn't get to abuse Michael '****' Brown though. To be fair though, had he 'played', I doubt Pearson's run would have been so lengthy. And it was lovely to give a little clap to Dickinson on his return, just prior to the second half kicking off, which he reciprocated. Wouldn't mind him back here as it goes. Forget Pope, Danny, bring back Dicko. 



So onto Tuesday, and the visit of Oldham. Not the visit of Ched Evans though. Thank the lord/allah/elephants/whatever. But a return for Jacob Mellis. Who just a few weeks ago was laughing at us on instagram, mocking League One. Never a good idea for pro footballers to act up like that on social media. Especially if you're a bit of an arsé like Mellis who was always bound to end up on loan somewhere dire, like Oldham. I won't be there on Tuesday, but I've given Alien Head permission to call him a tosser for me. Maybe even wave his fist at him, angrily for a couple of seconds. That'll teach him. 

Not the Jackson's carrier bag

In other news, it's been pretty much confirmed that the supporters trust in association with West Stand Bogs will be arranging another charity walk, this time from Barnsley to Bradford. Penultimate game of the season, the day to remember those who perished so tragically at Valley Parade, 30 years ago. It's a cracking idea. 

Issue 7 of WSB will soon be around the corner too, out for the Crewe game I believe. And the recently launched Football Report on Barnsley Radio has gone down well, 7pm til 9pm on Monday evenings, hosted by Jake and Spencer. Myself and Matthew Murray (former gossiper with the Chron) guest appeared on it last week, Liam from WSB guested on its debut show. Here are links to those, if of interest. 

Show One 

Show Two 

Final thoughts? 

Sam's back. 





Thanks for reading. You Reds. 



Whitey 



'Love Barnsley, Hate Jacob Mellis'