Barnsley

[Ultra]

Given the manager's recent record in the transfer market, it's no surprise Mandaric doesn't want him to splash any more cash.

The season's finished, whatever the happy-clappies may say.

Pearson should be brave enough to dump the deadwood (of which there is far too much) and give some of the Academy players a run to see if they can form part of a proper promotion challenge next season.

[Hugo Sanchez]

Pearson been found out, the honeymoon is over and his signings have been shite.

We're be lucky to stay up with this shower, after the forest game he should of walked away.

Going on saturday and i'm honest if we go 3-0 down. I'm going to start a Pearson out chant because this northern monkey is punching above his weight.

PEARSON OUT

[Thracian]

Where's Babs? Because if tonight's shambles reflects a manager taking us forwards I dread to think what going backwards is going to be like.

What made tonight, with no goals, no second half shots on target and a mere three or four serious attacks worse was that Barnsley really were the most average of teams and that is probably flattering them.

Probably our best move of the game ended with N'Guessan finding the net only to have the effort disallowed for offside. The same player then had another shot blocked and a third header flash wide when he should probably have scored.

Inside the box N'Guessan looked our only thread so, second half, Pearson took him off. Of the mellee of fans around me, not one could understand it. Yes, they'd have accepted Dyer taking his place on the left wing and N'Guessan moving into the middle where he has consistently done all his damage.

But no. N'Guessan went off together with the ineffective Waghorn and Kermorgant leaving Fryatt and Howard up front with Kingy taking up his role as what looked like a defensive midfielder. Instead of doing our level best to strengthen our attack and try to win the game we weakened our attack, seemed to settle for a point and got caught out in a wholly predictable way - with a goal from a viciously delivered corner that should probably not have been conceded in the fistplace.

I say it was a predictable goal because Barnsley - virtually impotent in a general attacking sense - nevertheless posed consistent threat from their hard-hit corners yet we showed no signs at all of finding a way to deal with them.

Meanwhile our own set-piece deliveries were something short of pathetic. So much so that I can well understand why Pearson wouldn't want anyone to watch us training.

Our ineptitude was summed up as we chased an equaliser near the end. First, from an excellent position, Gallagher punted his supposedly flighted cross way over our waiting attackersand harmlessly out for a goalkick. Moments later from a similarly promising position he failed to clear the first defender. And what a familiar tale that was.

Serious, long-serving fans tried to recall a game when City gave a more pathetic and disjointed display but couldn't remember one.

City closed down well enough for a while and posed occasional threat in the first half but otherwise they looked a disjoined mess and a team quite incapable of moving with any fluency or sense of purpose.

Playing the veteran Powell at left-back looked just about as insulting as it could get for McGivern because, despite one vital interception, Powell was sometimes left standing by yards and was clearly desperately short of pace, sharpness and match readiness.

But was he worse than others? Not in some cases. Kilworth was standing beside me and I asked him if we'd secured enough points yet to stave off relegation. It was aserious question and apparently we haven't. On this showing I'd wonder where the next points are coming from.

Cos poor wasn't a harsh enough word for today's effort.

[lildave3]

Absolutely awful. Really was. Everyone was shit, except Chris Powell who at 40 years old is still a class above. What ever happened to Richie Wellens? Don't think i've seen him since November. And I don't even need to talk about Gallagher.

Overall, no pace, no energy, no composure, no real quality, just really a bit shit.

[Cobbo]

It was shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Oakley's worst game. Couldn't defend corners. Couldn't create anything.

We need pace. Dyer will do for now but let's sign someone too..

Powell was our best player.

[Shrenchel]

Serious, long-serving fans tried to recall a game when City gave a more pathetic and disjointed display but couldn't remember one.

Were these long-serving fans alzheimers patients pissed off their nutcrackers?! We were shit but I'd need a family of Norwich fans to count the performances of the last 5 years which made that look like fvcking Brazil.

[J.Lisemore]

Well, after coming back from watching that, I don't like to put the blame on one man usually but fooking hell can Gallagher get any worse?

Overall the team was just shite and couldn't string two passes together.

Woeful.

Rant over.

[lildave3]

Absolutely awful. Really was. Everyone was shit, except Chris Powell who at 40 years old is still a class above. What ever happened to Richie Wellens? Don't think i've seen him since November. And I don't even need to talk about Gallagher.

Overall, no pace, no energy, no composure, no real quality, just really a bit shit.

Actually, I do.

He can fuck off.

[Ozwin]

Were these long-serving fans alzheimers patients pissed off their nutcrackers?! We were shit but I'd need a family of Norwich fans to count the performances of the last 5 years which made that look like fvcking Brazil.

XfD

Post more.

[Cobbo]

People are overreacting if they think we need drastic changes - Pearson has done a splendid job & we were bound to have a poor run or two - we are in one now. It was not long since we beat Swansea at home and were looking good still - now we're cannon fodder and everything needs to change?

We will bounce back I am sure - eventually, perhaps not immediately. We do need a few tweaks here and there (pace please as mentioned) but nothing drastic.

We're still 8th. Which, on the whole, most people would have taken at the start of the season!

Tonight was bloody awful but let's not start calling for heads to roll, we'll regret it at this stage.

[Shrenchel]

Yeah Gallagher was an abomination. I've not been one of his knockers but seriously, he couldn't deliver a fvcking stamped-addressed envelope.

[Daggers]

Care to elaborate? Thought not

Sorry, King disabled, for not being able to interrupt your typing flow and post an answer between the question and the immediate riposte.

Beautiful.

Yeah Gallagher was an abomination. I've not been one of his knockers but seriously, he couldn't deliver a fvcking stamped-addressed envelope.

I adore your posts.

[Mikey]

fooking awful performance from everyone, bar Chris Powell. Shambles.

Need to go back to basics on Saturday. Pearsons done a fantastic job so far, and theres no doubt in my mind he's the right man for the job, but he really does need to sort his team selection out, and not put players in the team 'on merit,' eg Gallagher.

To all the ****s who booed when the players were going into the tunnel at the end - fook off.

[Thracian]

Were these long-serving fans alzheimers patients pissed off their nutcrackers?! We were shit but I'd need a family of Norwich fans to count the performances of the last 5 years which made that look like fvcking Brazil.

The Brazilian teams I've watched could pass the ball.

[JoeyB]

We were shocking tonight didn't really have much urgency about us, and we didn't look interested at all, Oakley gave the ball away countless times and did wellens even turn up?

Chris Powell and Morrison are the only ones who i could say i think actually tried.

We lost the battle in the middle of the park and when you loose that you've pretty much lost the game, when things got bad we just resorted to hoof ball for Fryatt and Waggy to chase, how hard is it just to keep it on the deck and pass it to feet? also how hard is it to shoot? we look like we have to try and get it into the box before we can shoot why not try some from outside the area?

Also When we were defending corners why did everyone go back, can we not keep one forward and a winger up top for quick outlets because then it means that they would have to have 3 people up just to cope which means less in the box.

Overall i think we were shocking tonight, and if we play like that agaisnt Newcastle on Sat i can't but think we'll get thumped, we need to sign a creative mid and a proper winger if we want to get to the play offs/

[lcfc_jme]

Well that was absolutely abysmal to be fair. Can't pass, don't move, woeful set-pieces, distinct lack of pace, panicky defending, clueless. Barnsley were poor and we made them look average - says a lot about how shit we were.

If somebody can tell me what the point of Paul Gallagher is, I'll give them money. He's a woefully awful excuse for a winger and should be kept away from the team until we know a) where he plays and b) how to use him.

Oakley - Epic fail. Wellens - Anonymous. N'Guessan - League One. I swear King didn't even touch the fooking ball when he got on. Our only good player was Grandpa Powell, which as much as I love him, is a disgrace.

We're the most pedestrian 1-paced team around and that's criminal given that we don't score enough.

And I'd just like to finish off by saying this: Those of you who booed us off tonight, you are an absolute fucking embarrassment to both yourselves and this club. It was absolutely shameful to hear and the lot of you should just fuck off to your nearest dual carriageway. I'll bet you were the same wankers who went "HUUUUUME" all game and did it again when he was announced man of the match AGAINST US and FOR BARNSLEY. Complete cunts. We're better off without you.

[Fosse Boy]

I've only just got in and found out the result. Haven't bothered to read the thread but I'll assume we're fucking toss, our whole squad is shocking, and if we've not qualified for the Champions League TM by next season we ought to all give up football wholesale.

PEARSON OUT!!! :angry:

[Thracian]

Given the manager's recent record in the transfer market, it's no surprise Mandaric doesn't want him to splash any more cash.

The season's finished, whatever the happy-clappies may say.

Pearson should be brave enough to dump the deadwood (of which there is far too much) and give some of the Academy players a run to see if they can form part of a proper promotion challenge next season.

Even as an advocate for the development of youth players we have very few that are ready even for a taste of first team action.

Tom Parkes and Craig King are out on loan which leaves Luke O'Neill and maybe a couple of others who all need reserve team or lower league loans to get the next stage of their experience.

We no longer have a regular competitive reserve team and are clearly suffering as a result because we have no realistic options outside our small first team pool.

[Thracian]

Well that was absolutely abysmal to be fair. Can't pass, don't move, woeful set-pieces, distinct lack of pace, panicky defending, clueless. Barnsley were poor and we made them look average - says a lot about how shit we were.

If somebody can tell me what the point of Paul Gallagher is, I'll give them money. He's a woefully awful excuse for a winger and should be kept away from the team until we know a) where he plays and b) how to use him.

Oakley - Epic fail. Wellens - Anonymous. N'Guessan - League One. I swear King didn't even touch the fooking ball when he got on. Our only good player was Grandpa Powell, which as much as I love him, is a disgrace.

We're the most pedestrian 1-paced team around and that's criminal given that we don't score enough.

And I'd just like to finish off by saying this: Those of you who booed us off tonight, you are an absolute fucking embarrassment to both yourselves and this club. It was absolutely shameful to hear and the lot of you should just fuck off to your nearest dual carriageway. I'll bet you were the same wankers who went "HUUUUUME" all game and did it again when he was announced man of the match AGAINST US and FOR BARNSLEY. Complete cunts. We're better off without you.

That's just about the worst thing about last night. Hearing hardcore fans like yourself in such despair. And there were lots of them. Most stalwart travelling fans find something to be positive about even after the worst of games. But last night they were shamefully let down. Once again the team is starting to look like a sorry excuse for representatives of a supposedly ambitious club.

[smudgerfox]

People are overreacting if they think we need drastic changes - Pearson has done a splendid job & we were bound to have a poor run or two - we are in one now. It was not long since we beat Swansea at home and were looking good still - now we're cannon fodder and everything needs to change?

We will bounce back I am sure - eventually, perhaps not immediately. We do need a few tweaks here and there (pace please as mentioned) but nothing drastic.

We're still 8th. Which, on the whole, most people would have taken at the start of the season!

Tonight was bloody awful but let's not start calling for heads to roll, we'll regret it at this stage.

Isn't the problem for NFP that there's no sense of direction? We haven't played well all season (QPR a maybe) and there are few signs of problems being put right. Even games that we've won we've looked flakey. The changes NFP has made to the squad simply haven't worked and show no signs of working. indeed as every game goes by they look less like teething problems and more like mistakes. The truth is when Fryatt stops scoring (as he does frequently because as I've said before, he scores in bunches) we carry virtually no attacking threat. That puts the onus on the defence which is okay but painfully lacking in depth. As I see it the problems are

1 Squad imbalance - too many strikers and wingers - too little cover at the back and in midfield - Berner is the only full back who looks comfortable at this level and we're picking two from three fit centre halves and playing the other at full back. Neilson and McGivern both look hopelessly and irretrievably out of their depth and I fear simply have to go down as poor signings. The decision to let Kisnorbo go looks a misjudgement in the light of Tunchev's injury.

The midfield situation was badly exposed v West Brom. If memory serves me right Welllens was suspended and Oakley and King both got injured. There were no like-for-like replacements for any of these players, so much for the big squad referred to regularly by NFP and faithfully parrotted by the Merc. Indeed the subs bench very often has four strikers on it (remember we also have three/four strikers on loan) which leaves us hopelessly exposed if any of the back 4 or midfield are injured. Players are played out of position and struggle for form and consistency and lose confidence.

2 The signings - it's not just a crude "he's crap and he's crap" situation but I defy anyone to detect a method behind the players brought in. Let's admit

Weale has done well, that N'Guessan has done as much as you can expect from a Div 2 signing and that Wellens showed enough early on to see why we went for him. Brown fitted the bill as an experienced reliable type though I suspect he wasn't expected to become a first team regular. But the rest? Was Gallagher bought to play with Fryatt or to replace him? In the hole or as an out and out striker? Kermorgann came on trial with a reputation for being less than prolific in front of goal in the french second division - he confirmed that pedigree and we rewarded him with a contract! Can we really afford to have non-scoring strikers? Again, with Fryatt? Or instead of? Would DJ, Ashley Chambers or Billy Kee have been significantly worse than either?

So with defensive and midfield cover in tatters and in the absence of a functioning forward line, come on down Nobby Solano - yet another to add to our collection of under-used wingers. (Nobby go and sit in the corner quietly with Dyer, Danny, - where Adams and Gradel used to sit) Yes a more experienced and classier version of Gradel but does he have any sort of shelf life beyond 18 months? If that? Were we to be promoted (God forbid!) would he make any impact at all in the Premiership?

3

[MC Prussian]

The result does reflect Pearson's current attitude. Knowing that our squad is only mediocre, he plays it safe, sometimes too safe (better to lose "unlucky" 1-0 than 3-0, eh?) and it's the fans who have to suffer from dull football. Also, why he still insists on having players like Gallagher placed in the odd position is beyond me.

Not looking forward to the visit of Newcastle on Saturday.

[Matt]

Were our fans cheering Hume more than our own players last night?

TBH think it's probably some of the disabled home fans that would do that, good god that was annoying and embarrassing.

[Karljohn]

Wasted the best part of £70 on that shite last night.

Chris Powell was the only one to emerge with any credit, but what message does starting a 40 year old send to a 20 year old full back? why extend Mcgivern loan only to bench him for Chris?

Dont even get me started on Gallagher, cant beat the first man or beats every man with his corners or free kicks, we have been seriously mugged by Blackburn.

Oakley - wont put a foot in! simple as!

Our passes found blue shirts more by luck than judgement and id say at least 60% of our passes went astray or to a red shirt.

Our "ambition" was for all to see when we decide to defend their corners by putting every single blue shirt in our own box...

Last time I felt like this after an away game was the 2-2 at Bolton about 7 years ago when they had 9 men and came back from 2 down!

A conference side would have comfortably held us last night.

Pearson sort this shit out NOW.

[smudgerfox]

Isn't the problem for NFP that there's no sense of direction? We haven't played well all season (QPR a maybe) and there are few signs of problems being put right. Even games that we've won we've looked flakey. The changes NFP has made to the squad simply haven't worked and show no signs of working. indeed as every game goes by they look less like teething problems and more like mistakes. The truth is when Fryatt stops scoring (as he does frequently because as I've said before, he scores in bunches) we carry virtually no attacking threat. That puts the onus on the defence which is okay but painfully lacking in depth. As I see it the problems are

1 Squad imbalance - too many strikers and wingers - too little cover at the back and in midfield - Berner is the only full back who looks comfortable at this level and we're picking two from three fit centre halves and playing the other at full back. Neilson and McGivern both look hopelessly and irretrievably out of their depth and I fear simply have to go down as poor signings. The decision to let Kisnorbo go looks a misjudgement in the light of Tunchev's injury.

The midfield situation was badly exposed v West Brom. If memory serves me right Welllens was suspended and Oakley and King both got injured. There were no like-for-like replacements for any of these players, so much for the big squad referred to regularly by NFP and faithfully parrotted by the Merc. Indeed the subs bench very often has four strikers on it (remember we also have three/four strikers on loan) which leaves us hopelessly exposed if any of the back 4 or midfield are injured. Players are played out of position and struggle for form and consistency and lose confidence.

2 The signings - it's not just a crude "he's crap and he's crap" situation but I defy anyone to detect a method behind the players brought in. Let's admit

Weale has done well, that N'Guessan has done as much as you can expect from a Div 2 signing and that Wellens showed enough early on to see why we went for him. Brown fitted the bill as an experienced reliable type though I suspect he wasn't expected to become a first team regular. But the rest? Was Gallagher bought to play with Fryatt or to replace him? In the hole or as an out and out striker? Kermorgann came on trial with a reputation for being less than prolific in front of goal in the french second division - he confirmed that pedigree and we rewarded him with a contract! Can we really afford to have non-scoring strikers? Again, with Fryatt? Or instead of? Would DJ, Ashley Chambers or Billy Kee have been significantly worse than either?

So with defensive and midfield cover in tatters and in the absence of a functioning forward line, come on down Nobby Solano - yet another to add to our collection of under-used wingers. (Nobby go and sit in the corner quietly with Dyer, Danny, - where Adams and Gradel used to sit) Yes a more experienced and classier version of Gradel but does he have any sort of shelf life beyond 18 months? If that? Were we to be promoted (God forbid!) would he make any impact at all in the Premiership?

I should add that Waghorn has turned in some decent individual performances but there's no sign of him developing an understanding with any of the other strikers which would make our forward lne more prolific.

3 is style of play - journalists tend to accuse fans of wanting risky champagne football whereas managers need to provide functional results. But this isn't about that. I cannot detect any method or style in the performances of pearson's teams. Three strikers? One playing from wide? Oakley wide or tucked in to make a three? On the deck or in the air? Virtually every team we've played this season has had no trouble in playing the ball from front to back - on the floor, delivering controlled and quality possession to areas from which you can mount dangerous attacks. What distinguishes the good from the mediocre iss what happens once it gets there - tams like Cardiff and West Brom and Forest turn possession into goals, others lack the quality to do so. Most players we come up against seem comfortable in possession, even while under pressure and at close quarters and seem to have multiple options with the ball at their feet.

By contrast our build-up play - if it can be called that - is slow, stilted and predictable. Possession is given away trying overly ambitious once in a 100 options because there are so few simpler options available. You can see where the next pass has to go from the touchline and when it does, an opponent has seen it as well. We are hurried and imprecise in possession. The players seem to have no sense of the kinds of movements which might create space - the opposition let us play in front of them until the inevitable mistake happens. players get blamed when this happens but it is an affliction of Pearson's teams and new arrivals seem to "catch" the hesitancy on the ball a few weeks after arriving. It was there last season but went largely unnoticed as most teams rolled over to our reputation and the lower level rate of defensive error provided enough chances for fryatt to be prolific.

Last season we rarely crushed inferior opposition - we won matches despite our style - not because of it.

3

[marbelladave]

Although I get to most games, Barnsley on a weekday was a trip so far.

The stats and the commentary suggested that the game was pretty close, ok I see we only made a few chances but then that is what we do!

With several of our better players not contributing through injury / illness / form, a penalty shout and a better finish from N'Guessan could have seen us pick up all three points.

We probably didn't deserve to win but we have picked up an awful lot of our points this season from games like that where we were not very good yet still got the result. Had we done so, the thread would have been very different, with the usual congratulations and platitudes about results and getting points even when not playing well.

The performance of course would have been the same!

This season we have produced a couple of decent performances and a couple of shockers, but in the main our performances have been ponderous and predictable and consistently mediocre, particularly going forward.

Sometimes the long ball falls for you, sometimes it falls against, that has been our season.