The Three Points Are All That Matters

Despite doing our very best to throw it away, the victory over Middlesbrough gave Barnsley a much needed three points and a platform to build from.

With the reds racing in to a 3 – 0 lead, which saw many of the visiting fans leave before half time, you would be forgiven for thinking job done but we have to remember this is Barnsley and the 3 – 3 against Ipswich in the 90`s will never leave my mind. For those too young to remember we were 3 – 0 up in that one with about five minutes to go and that match will have me worried in any reds game no matter what the score.

As for this one, despite the game containing five goals, it was a poor match contested by two poor teams but on a positive note Barnsley were able to win without playing well which is something we rarely do.

A wonder goal from McCourt and brace from O`Grady had most of the stadium believing that the game was dead and buried. But Barnsley did what only Barnsley can do and allow their opponents back in to the game.

For me the best form of defence is to attack but Barnsley have a tendency to sit back and invite pressure when they have a lead. Doing it for an entire half is a long time to do it for especially when we are terrible at it.

We nearly allowed ‘Boro to come away with something from this having already thrown away a two goal lead earlier in the season to Charlton. We need to learn our lesson and abandon this tactic completely.

I also feel that it is no coincidence that when Mellis is withdrawn from the action we come under more pressure due to our inability to keep hold of possession. Mellis in fairness did look spent but he is never going to be fit enough to complete 90 minutes if the manager never allows him to, plus his recent stint on the side-lines won`t have helped his match fitness.

For me Mellis has come in for some harsh criticism from fans and maybe up until recently was made a bit of a scapegoat by the manager. He is our best passer and probably most technically gifted player but because he doesn`t run round like an idiot he gets some stick. He does work harder than he used to and I would say his work rate helping out his full back is as good as most wide men we come across. However most Barnsley fans only seem to like players who are like dogs and just chase the ball wherever it goes running from one player to the next.

McCourt showed what he can do with a wonder goal. He produced a bit of magic when up to that point he had given the ball away every time he had had it. That`s what you will get from the type of player he is. Match winning moments of genius as well frustrating days where nothing comes off but we need players like that in the team and not just ball winning, pressing players.

Fox was steady but I`m not sure he is better than anything we already have. He likes the square ball which isn`t necessarily a bad thing as there is nothing wrong with having one player like that who will keep possession.

Perkins is playing a lot better now as well and with his energy in middle I feel there is a balance of a bit of everything as well as options from the bench.

O`Grady continued his rich vein of form in front of goal and Pedersen will get better with games and Scotland will always be a goal threat from the bench.

At the back the partnership of Cranie and Mvoto looks a lot better than when Ramage partners Cranie. Ramage has looked pretty average for me and I would stick with those two if they continue to play like that.

Overall the three points are all that matters and there are many positives to take from this match in to the Wednesday game. All I ask is no more sitting back when we have a lead and that we continue to play football and attack. At 3 – 0 up if we had continued to go for it there is a good chance we would have scored again and they may never have scored then. That good have made a little dent in to our shocking goal difference which could be crucial come the end of the season.