In what was very much a game of two halves, the super reds surrendered a two goal lead to draw 2 – 2 with promotion rivals Bolton at Oakwell.
Barnsley were the superior team in the first half and went in at half time with a 1 – 0 lead. The reds also created a lot of half chances which they were unlucky not to get on the end of. Collins got his tactics spot on in the first half. Bolton couldn’t live with the pressing from the reds, particularly de Gevigney stepping in to midfield to do it on several occasions. The goal came from this as he won the ball high up and it fell to McAtee who had an easy finish to end his goal drought.
The reds doubled their advantage with rocket from Pines who now has two goals in two games and looks better in the opposition box than he does in his own.
Bolton were on top from then onwards and whilst it is disappointing to lose a two goal lead and concede so late, Bolton had enough chances to easily win this one and it took some heroic defending with bodies blocking shots and clearances off the line as well as some sensational saves from Roberts.
Barnsley got their tactics horribly wrong in the second half as they sat back and allowed Bolton to come on to them in the hope of holding out for the three points. And whilst I gave Collins credit for his original game plan, I must criticise him for his game management and substitutions in the second half.
The second half tactics were completely wrong and it was inevitable that Bolton would get themselves back in to the game. I thought at the time that players had perhaps dropped back without being instructed to do so but it was clear from his interview afterwards that is what the manager wanted. I will defend him slightly with the substitutions as the bench is so weak but for me he should have brought Cosgrove on in that first set of subs to at least give us a focal point up front.
Bolton created a lot of good chances but the goals we conceded were poor. We were asleep for the quick free kick for the first one. We can debate whether or not it should have been a penalty but one thing for sure is that the following in for the penalty was very poor from the reds.
Since Pines came in to the team I have felt that on the eye it looks a much better set up with three out and out centre backs and Williams at wing back. However, we have conceded two goals in each of the last two games and prior to that the last time we had conceded more than one goal in a game was on the 29th December so perhaps we aren’t more solid defensively.
If I look at the players individually in this game, for me Roberts was the man of the match after pulling off a number of crucial saves including the penalty. He was closely followed by de Gevigney who was for me the pick of the back three defensively and also created our first goal with his pressing.
Earl also had a solid game despite giving the penalty away. Pines was named man of the match in the stadium, probably because of his goal which was an absolute beauty. However, after a good first half, he allowed Bolton too many chances missing the ball both on the ground and in the air or heading backwards. He certainly has the raw attributes to be good in this league but I feel he is still adjusting to the league and wonder if McCart would be a better option at this moment in time or if we just need to keep playing him to get used to the game over here?
Wing back wise, Williams certainly looks much more comfortable back in his natural position both going forwards and defensively. Cadden looked like a man who had missed the last match with illness as he tired early in the second half but hopefully the minutes will have put him in a good position to be firing on all cylinders in the next game.
In midfield, Connell and Kane worked extremely hard in midfield but neither were at their best on the ball. Connell hasn’t looked right at all since his most recent return to the team but it is only a matter of time before the quality shows. Kane, who usually sees a lot of the ball (sometimes more than the back three) and usually has a passing accuracy at 75 to 90 per cent returned poor statistics in that respect. His passing accuracy was at 68.8% and he only had 42 touches of the ball which is his lowest by far in his last six games and compares to 110 touches against Wycombe. The work rate was there but the quality just wasn’t.
Phillips tried to make things happen, searching for crosses in to the box and that killer pass but again the quality let him down.
Up front, Cole and McAtee were bright in the first half. The work rate was there and both were making runs in to very good positions and were unlucky to see the ball elude them. The second half was different which I can only put down to the negative tactics and poor service.
Overall I suppose you can’t grumble with a point against our promotion rivals. It is still in our hands and there will be many more twists and turns between now and the end of the season.
Lincoln up next at Oakwell on Saturday.
COYR
