Barnsley Away 12th Jan

Playing Doyle upfront with Ball and Payne in behind, and keeping the ball on the deck, works well as we've seen in recent results.

Playing doyle upfront and playing hoofball so that Ball and Payne don't get a kick, like yesterday, is a waste of time.

 

Could it be that Payne knows something we don't....yet..?

 

Just what I was thinking....

 

To beat the rush we left around 85 minutes so we never saw the Chicksen red card, it looked a bit harsh on TV this morning it looked clumsy rather than cynical, and he wasn't the last man from the video clip..............and yes even though we hoped to beat the rush it was 5:30 before we got out of the road from the stadium, crap day all around I thought I was going to get a slap when a member from this forum said are you Bronco , yep someone has to pull the short straw and sit near Bronco.

 

The game was very reminiscent of Hopkins first game at Blackpool, long ball and try and catch Blackpool on the break, but on yesterdays performance by Barnsley they we're a far diffent proposition to Blackpool.

 

Didn't realise I look that intimidating! The red card from Chicksen was certainly clumsy. I don't think anyone nearby quibbled with the decision at the time. Our coach took the route past the New Miller Dam on the way back which cut out a lot of queuing I think. Back in Shipley for 18.45.

 

I think the reason we reverted to early season hoof ball was because Barnsley never gave us time to settle on the ball and pick a pass. They were strong and fit and pressing us hard, forcing us into rushed punts upfield. What seemed really noticeable from where I was sat, bottom left, was that they played balls into our right back area with out even looking, knowing that they would have players attacking that area. Makes the decision to move Caddis from right back even worse in my mind

 

Once we saw we were struggling playing Hopkin's first half formation why didn't Hopkin just sub O'Connor and tell Cadiss to revert to right full back and bring Miller in to support Doyle leaving Payne, Ball and O'Brien in midfield. I'm not sure it would have changed the game but it would have been a similar formation that we have played recently that has brought us the great football we have seen.

 

A friend suggested, and it sounded plausible, that Hopkin put McGowan at right back to counter the height of Thiam. After all, McGowan has quite a bit of experience at right back in the past. If that was the plan, it didn't work and I thought he should have changed it.

 

We're you on Shipley Bantams bus by any chance? Double or single decker? They came back that way via Wakey!

 

I was on the single decker, followed the double. Mr. Gorringe's navigation came in handy.

 

Was on the double decker. Yes, Steve's knowledge came in very handy!! And I won the guess the goal time as well so £20 in my pocket as well!!

 

I'm still scratching my head with regards to Saturday. Its a choker that on a day when there's nearly 4k City fans at an away game he completely tears up the formation and tactics and reverts to "that". I like Hopkin and everyone can see the difference he's made since taking over BUT did he really need to do what he did?

 

To be fair to Hopkin he did say no matter what formation we play if players dont do the basics like stopping crosses, if you can't you make sure the oppoition dont get a free header af the far post.
I was critical of the formation after our resent great run but he does have a point.