27/11/10 Championship Barnsley 0-0 WFC

[Axwell]

http://i53.tinypic.com/30kbl92.jpg

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:VlQ8XcWa6INGEM:http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/images/npower-championship-logo.gif&t=1
Sat 27/11/10 ; [Kickoff 15:00]



Barnsley Season

Barnsley, like most seasons find themselves mid-table. Recent results have been good, with away wins at Preston, Leicester and a win over Pompey at Oakwell making up for a shaky start to the season. The Tykes have a consistent line-up and will be difficult to beat at home.


Key Player

Adam Hammill is the shining star in an other-wise dull squad. The winger has many similarities to Championship star Darren Ambrose - he makes things happen going forward. With 7 goals and 4 assists so far this campaign, It won't be long til the PL clubs are sniffing around.



http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article203033.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Adam+Hammill.jpeg




Barnsley Recent Results

Barnsley 1-0 Portsmouth

Ipswich 1-3 Barnsley

Preston 1-2 Barnsley



Golden Boys & Barnsl ehh Results

Last meeting the Orns suffered a very uninspiring one-nil loss away. Danny graham, some would say incorrectly, had a goal ruled out.

http://www.watfordfc.com/javaImages/4d/19/0,,10400~8460621,00.jpg


Past encounters:

Barnsley 1-0 Watford
Watford 1-0 Barnsley
Watford 1-1 Barnsley




Team News and Expected Line-ups


John Eustace will return from suspension to captain the side. Sordell likely to be the man dropped.

Watford

----------------Loach---------------
-Doyley-M.Taylor-Mariappa-A.Taylor-
--McGinn--Eustace--Mutch-Cowie--
----------Deeney-Graham----------



No major injury concerns for Barnsley.

Barnsley

--------------Steele-------------
-Hassell-Shackell-Foster-Trippier-
-Doyle--Lovre--O'Brien--Hammill
-------Colace----------------------
----------------O'Connor----------





Betting

Barnsley 5/4
Draw 12/5
Watford 21/10


Odds courtesy of Bet365

If you don't fancy losing your real hard earned, then have a flutter with your virtual 'orns down at the vBookie (http://wfcforums.com/showthread.php?t=35692)



Axwell's Final Say

No doubt this one will be a tight affair. Draw. 2-2

[SM#16]

Hi there,

Thanks for the invitation you have extended to the Barnsley FC Blog | On The Ponty End (http://www.onthepontyend.com/) to write for your readers and users. It's been an honour and a privelege to have been asked. I just hope my responses reflect some intended humour and do justice to the feature you have been running.

Q&A below

Ahead of our game on Saturday, how do you rate your chances of condemning us to another away defeat?
I honestly rate our chances very high. We have had good form at home, with defeats coming at the hands of Cardiff City & a “Sven inspired” Leicester City. Our confidence has risen since we have started picking up points on the road.

Garry O’Connor & Paul Hayes give us more options up front nowadays and Mark Robins can change things up front because of this, if Plan A isn’t working.

About Barnsley FC, tell us something new, something old and something borrowed?
What a great series of questions, they are very tough to answer. Now then, things don’t change much in Barnsley, but let’s have a go.

Something New – Not heard in previous meetings V Watford, “Adam Hammill is a Red, is a Red, is Red, Adam Hammill is a Red, he hates Leeds scum!” which will be ringing from the Ponty End on Saturday.

Something Old – We won the FA Cup in 1912, a feat that has never been achieved by Watford FC!! Incidentally it was the FA Cup in the previous season that provided the first ever meeting between our two sides, with Barnsley overcoming Watford away from home 0-2 to progress from Round 1.

Something Borrowed – Again, a hard one to answer. It’s probably the (borrowed) time we have left to enjoy Hammill in the Red of Barnsley or even in this league.

What were your pre-season expectations for Barnsley and how are you fairing compared to those?
Since Mark Robins arrived, fans have expected a marked improvement from the Simon Davey, where we were regularly scraping the basement in the Championship. Given that in March we were dreaming about bothering the play-offs, our end of season was another disappointment.

Most fans are now looking for mid table obscurity as a minimum. Perhaps now, Barnsley are representing the kind of form which will secure that, but our dreams are always bigger than what we’ve grown to expect.

You seem to be building a nice little outfit at Oakwell with some tidy players, but what are your squad’s weaknesses?
Like most teams, once injuries and suspensions kick-in, we don’t have the strength and depth in our back-four we would like, although results over the last three games have not demonstrated that. We have a tendency to lack that killer touch up-front too. Perhaps inconsistency is our weakness.

What would you say the squad’s strengths are?
Our Midfield has shown that they can “Boss” games by killing the opposition in that area and sparking the creativity up-front for goals. If we win that battle, we can win any game.


Who is Barnsley’s star player, squad clown and undervalued gem, in your eyes?
Star Player – Adam Hammill (say no more, you must have seen the goals!)
Squad Clown – It depends on your definition of “Clown”, on a bad day, Luke Steele (Goalkeeper) might have been better positioned at the circus, but I also gather that Jim O’Brien likes to croon in the dressing room with his guitar (to his self penned tunes).
Undervalued Gem – (Sir) Bobby Hassell, a bargain acquisition from Mansfield a number of years ago and the only surviving member of the League One Play-Off winning side (with the exception of Martin Devaney – loaned to Walsall presently) . He can play anywhere across the back-line and is a canny addition to bolster the midfield. Should have won Player of the Year last year!

If you could have any one Watford player for your starting XI, who would it be?
Marvin Sordell interests me the most. He’s young, knows where the onion bag is and is still relatively unknown at this level, which is always difficult to legislate for.

What is your opinion about Watford FC as a club, and as a team?
I have mixed feelings with regard to Watford FC as a club. Over the last thirty years, you have seemingly had more good fortune than us, with a Multi-Millionaire Pop benefactor, top flight football and a few high profile managers to boot. Maybe I should feel sorry for the fans because a lot of resources seem to have been squandered.

As a team, I think you’re very similar in Barnsley in terms of being able to pull out your fair share of good results against the so-called form or big teams. The result on Saturday, whichever way it goes, will not tell us either about how our seasons will end. I think you have to look at other teams and other games.


For the time being, all the best, with the exception of Saturday! Good luck for the rest of the season.

Regards,

WILKY

OnThePontyEnd.com (www.onthepontyend.com)

[SM#16]

vBookie event is now up here (http://wfcforums.com/showthread.php?t=35692).

[Defunct]

Good stuff chaps, it's getting better every week.

[Layton]

Adam Hammil is the bright star of a otherwise dull squad ?

It is good to read , but things like that make us (you) come across as billy big *******s


IMO

[Axwell]

Adam Hammil is the bright star of a otherwise dull squad ?

It is good to read , but things like that make us (you) come across as billy big *******s


IMO

Well it is a dull squad but having said that, ours is probably more dull.

Just my opinion.

[Layton]

An observation fella , nothing more , but your right about our squad , thats kinda my point

[Axwell]

I didnt intend to come across as Billy big bollox. We are shyte.

[lutonh8a]

Does anybody know if you can buy tickets at the gate on Saturday ?

[Spud]

I think youre doing an excellant job Axey ol bean, dont take any notice of Layton hes just Mr Grump.

[wfcwarehouse]

Good job again gents.

[leighton buzzard horn]

Good read, I especially like the opposition fan view.

I will be there on Saturday, think this is the 5th or 6th time I have been to Oakwell and I am yet to see a win. The biggest pull at the moment is the Guinness and Sahara nuts in the leisure centre before the game.

[The Voice of Reason]

Tough one this week, don't really expect much, so I'll be happy if we get a point, however I will be ecstatic if we get all three :drinking:

[wfc4ever]

Does anybody know if you can buy tickets at the gate on Saturday ?

Should think so...tickets are quite well priced too at £15.

Shame its likely to be wrecked by snow..and we'll probably lose again!

BTW Bit harsh to say Doyley cannot run...its his main asset!

Eustace to come back in with McGinn going out wide...where he isn't that good?

[NathWFC]

Betting

Barnsley 5/4
Draw 12/5
Reading 21/10


Odds courtesy of Bet365

If you don't fancy losing your real hard earned, then have a flutter with your virtual 'orns down at the vBookie

:confused:

[AshdonWFC]

As pointed out by Nath, the odds are mildly confusing, however another good thread. I particularly enjoyed reading the Barnsley fan's answers to Prentice's questions.

Personally think Barnsley 1-2 WFC for Saturday - their good run has to end somewhere, likewise for our bad run.

[Watford F.C. Forever]

:confused:

damn it I thought I was the only one to notice! lol

[tom bola]

In many ways I see Barnsley as a northern equivelent of Watford. A proud club from a small town in football terms, with a lot of much bigger clubs on their doorstep, who have punched above their weight for the last 30 years or so.

[snowylad]

I always view Oakwell the same as Pride park and banker nil points!

I think they're both our Bogey sides

[Bournemouth Dom]

The team tomorrow virtually picks itself, the bench is looking younger every week...

Loach
Doyley
Mariappa
M Taylor
A Taylor
Cowie
Eustace
Mutch
McGinn
Graham
Deeney

Subs: Gilmartin,Hodson, Bennett, Mingoia,Whichelow,Buckley, Sordell

[Dreadnought]

BBC on form again. Team news for tomorrows game on their website


But on-loan Birmingham midfielder Jordon Mutch will be hoping to keep his place after coming in for Eustace against Reading and after impressing.

:doh:

[Nnnn]

The team tomorrow virtually picks itself, the bench is looking younger every week...

Loach
Doyley
Mariappa
M Taylor
A Taylor
Cowie
Eustace
Mutch
McGinn
Graham
Deeney

Subs: Gilmartin,Hodson, Bennett, Mingoia,Whichelow,Buckley, Sordell

True. While everyone else in the world gets older every day, our bench defies nature & gets younger every day.

[Axwell]

Game on according to Barnsley FC for those heading up.

[Axwell]

Sunny skies in Souf Yorkshire.

[Axwell]

WATFORD: Loach, A. Taylor, Eustace, M. Taylor, Mariappa, Cowie, Deeney, Graham, Doyley, McGinn, Mutch.
Subs: Gilmartin, Hodson, Buckley, Jenkins, Bennett, Sordell, Mingoia.

[orns4life]

Posotive: A point away at one of the 'form teams' of the division

Negative: Sounds like it could of been there for the taking and its now 7 without a win.

I can't see us getting anything from QPR so Leicester at home next weekend is a massive game.

[Smudger]

True. While everyone else in the world gets older every day, our bench defies nature & gets younger every day.


:biggrin: Terrible game. A point is decent. Need to win though. And soon......

:yawn1:

[Axwell]

Decent point. Another mile down in the marathon.

[ImRonBurgundy?]

good point for us when you look at both teams recent form and our record at Oakwell

cant help but feel that with a better squad we could have thrown on a couple more subs and gone for all 3 points though

[Jersey Hornet]

Happy with the cleansheet and a good point away from home!

[With A Smile]

Any point away is good.

A point nearer 52

happy

[The Voice of Reason]

It will be nice to hear a match report, but as I said earlier on this thread, I would be happy to get a point today and we have :drinking:,

Barnsley have been on a good run and I would not have been surprised if we had come away with nothing today!!!

So well done lads a good point :drinking:

[wfc4ever]

Better result than usual at Oakwell...and a clean-sheet.

[hornetboy1]

A lucky point for us today, makes a change to be honest that we get the rub of the green. I fully expect us to beat QPR on Friday though. Football is very much like that. Rangers have not lost all season and we are in relegation form. It's a banker for us!!!. I'm going to put some money on it, as the odds for a Watford win will be great.

[The Voice of Reason]

Just read the report on the ficial site, sounds like we were a little lucky at times, though it's about time we had some luck IMO, but all in all we probably deserved a point!!!

[NathWFC]

It may be a 'decent' point away from home, but it doesn't hide the fact that we were yet again incapable of winning, I genuinely can't remember the last game we won off the top of my head.

[wfcmoog]

Indeed. Watford's plight is a wonderful case of expectations management.

Just tell everyone that we will get relegated and then, when we do, they will all be delighted.

[PotGuy]

Indeed. Watford's plight is a wonderful case of expectations management.

Just tell everyone that we will get relegated and then, when we do, they will all be delighted.

What were your expectations moog? A play off challenge with our star signings of McGinn, Buckley and Deeney, none of whom have played at this level and none of whom were even proven at the level they came from?

[NathWFC]

What were your expectations moog? A play off challenge with our star signings of McGinn, Buckley and Deeney, none of whom have played at this level and none of whom were even proven at the level they came from?

How did I know you'd be the first to jump on that comment?

No one expected a fantastic, promotion winning season, but even we at little old Watford should be expecting more than 1 win in 8 or whatever it is at the moment, it's not good enough.

As for the likes of Buckley, McGinn and Deeney, if they're not doing the business then the finger has to be pointed at the manager, that's about £1m worth of players there.

[afanof]

It was the failure to manage expectations that got us into this financial hole - the paying of Premier League-type wages and transfer fees in the expectation it would get us back there.

Anyone who expected anything other than a relegtion battle this season is deluded.

[wfc4ever]

A lucky point for us today, makes a change to be honest that we get the rub of the green. I fully expect us to beat QPR on Friday though.

You probably right but we'll have to wait another week for that.

First is Sven and his Leicester City boys...

Fair point Nath about the signings issue (although I think Deeney/McGinn are getting better) and we know Mr Moog likes to wind people up!

;)

[wfcmoog]

It just lets Malky off the hook, doesn't it. Play crap - "we're relegation material," make bad signings - "what do you expect, we're relegation material," get tactics wrong - "we're relegation material," bad substitutions, failure to change things when we're in bad form etc.

We've got an excuse for all of it.

[Pikey_Power]

So pleased I'm skint & didn't go today. Yawn, boring boring Watford?

[With A Smile]

It may be a 'decent' point away from home, but it doesn't hide the fact that we were yet again incapable of winning, I genuinely can't remember the last game we won off the top of my head.

Nath. It should be no suprise that we are incapable of winning, in fact you predicted we would struggle before the season started, on the 19th July, when you posted that you expected us to be 19th on Xmas day

http://wfcforums.com/showthread.php?t=34318&highlight=christmas

We are going better than Moog expected, he thought we would only have 19 points, so are already have 25% more points on the board than he expected.

I'll be honest we are exceeding what i thought we would do, i agreed with Poyguy that we would have 24 points and be one from bottom.

Perhaps it shows we were all realistic but MM is doing better than we all expected.

[NathWFC]

But the fact is that for whatever reason we've had another good start to the season, and, just as we did last year, have since gone to absolute sh*t. Yes, I expected us to struggle, but 1 win in 8 is not good enough by anybodies standards, especially when we DO have a team capable of doing better than that.

[With A Smile]

But the fact is that for whatever reason we've had another good start to the season, and, just as we did last year, have since gone to absolute sh*t. Yes, I expected us to struggle, but 1 win in 8 is not good enough by anybodies standards, especially when we DO have a team capable of doing better than that.

So what you are saying is that you are one of those who got carried away and raised your expectation ?

[NathWFC]

So what you are saying is that you are one of those who got carried away and raised your expectation ?

No, what I'm saying is that unless the height of our expectations should be to finish 24th this season then 1 win in 8 is as crap and unacceptable as it sounds.

[PotGuy]

How did I know you'd be the first to jump on that comment?

No one expected a fantastic, promotion winning season, but even we at little old Watford should be expecting more than 1 win in 8 or whatever it is at the moment, it's not good enough.

As for the likes of Buckley, McGinn and Deeney, if they're not doing the business then the finger has to be pointed at the manager, that's about £1m worth of players there.

And how did I know you would be the first to reply?

I'm not saying that Malky has done everything right, but the only alternative would be Sean Dyche, which would be pointless as I'm sure you would agree.

Also, I don't see how it is £1m worth of business, when Deeney was £350k and McGinn was circa £100k. Buckley was undiscolsed, but I doubt he could have been more than £100k. Bit of creative license you have taken there.

Coventry lost three in a row, then won their last two and now they are fifth. Things change quickly, there is no point being negative because there is no alternative.


Especially when we DO have a team capable of doing better than that.

No we don't. Most of our players have never even played in the Championship, and those that have most people on here say are shyte anyway!

[NathWFC]

The way I've always heard it is that Buckley could end up costing us about £400k, then as you say McGinn was around the £100k mark and Deeney was £350k up front but could rise to as much as £500k, so all in all, yes, about £1m.

[PotGuy]

The way I've always heard it is that Buckley could end up costing us about £400k, then as you say McGinn was around the £100k mark and Deeney was £350k up front but could rise to as much as £500k, so all in all, yes, about £1m.

So in other words, he has spent what I said but you have decided to include all of the potential add ons to make it sound as if he has spent a lot more than he has.

[NathWFC]

So in other words, he has spent what I said but you have decided to include all of the potential add ons to make it sound as if he has spent a lot more than he has.

Erm no, I think you'll find most transfers are done in installments or with add ons, lump sums are very rare, so are you saying those add ons which are most likely going to be activated at some point (appearances, goals etc.) shouldn't count towards the overall transfer value? :confused:

[Jelboy]

Just got back - blimey it was cold up there.

Not a great game by any stretch but a point gained, especially after that second half spell when they hit the post twice in a couple of minutes. The first was down to the wall not being set up correctly, the second an opportunist strke that to e honest deserved better.

Having said that we had our chances, a bit more composure at times and who knows, we may have sneaked it.

Andrew Taylor had a very tidy game... hope we can keep hold of him come January,

Good trip all in all. Bring on Sven!

[wfcmoog]

Nath. It should be no suprise that we are incapable of winning, in fact you predicted we would struggle before the season started, on the 19th July, when you posted that you expected us to be 19th on Xmas day

http://wfcforums.com/showthread.php?t=34318&highlight=christmas

We are going better than Moog expected, he thought we would only have 19 points, so are already have 25% more points on the board than he expected.

I'll be honest we are exceeding what i thought we would do, i agreed with Poyguy that we would have 24 points and be one from bottom.

Perhaps it shows we were all realistic but MM is doing better than we all expected.

I actually said -19 points, so in that sense, I'm over the moon.

[orns4life]

How did I know you'd be the first to jump on that comment?

No one expected a fantastic, promotion winning season, but even we at little old Watford should be expecting more than 1 win in 8 or whatever it is at the moment, it's not good enough.

As for the likes of Buckley, McGinn and Deeney, if they're not doing the business then the finger has to be pointed at the manager, that's about £1m worth of players there.

I know it seems I'm always arguing your points Nath, but its obviously just opposite views on Malky and the current situation.

Yes there is a reason we often start a season well and then go on a terrible run, its because theres no plan b, as our squad is too ***** and thin to have a worthy plan b. Yes its all good fans saying oh he should change it, bring in Oshodi, bring in Bennett, bring in some other kid whos never played championship football before, but Malky (and a lot of fans) know that's not the answer.

I know I keep saying it but I really think some fans majorly underestimate how weak our squad is. When we started on good form people compared it to the 05/06 team, which was absolutley lightyears ahead of this squad in experience and quality.

The fact your saying the finger should be pointed at Mackay for those 3 signings sums it up:

Will Buckley: 21, less than 30 appearances above league 2 level.

Stephen Mcginn: 22, 14 appearances in the championship (with the only other experience coming in Scotland, so probably about league 2 leavel again)

Troy Deeney: 23, 5 starts above League 1 level.

Surely you can see that, regardless of how much they cost, they are all 'one for the future'. We do not have the resources to get players in who can make an immediate impact, so all MM can do is try and invest wisely in youngsters (with low transfer fees which rise based on success) and try and build a solid championship team over 3 or 4 years.

Yes that means a few more seasons of fighting off relegation and going on runs of 8 or more games without a win, but unless these investors show up (fingers crossed) get used to it, its the best we're likley to get.

And the people moaning about Malky being realistic in his interviews are probably the same who moaned about Boothroyds delusional, David Brent-esque interviews. Make your minds up.

[NathWFC]

My point wasn't actually that they were all a waste of money though, I actually quite like Buckley and Deeney, my point was actually that people constantly harp on about us having no money, but in 6 months we've spent a potential £1m on 3 players as well as wages for Aldred and Walker.

I'm simply pointing out that the money has been there, to those who constantly say we've got no money and that we haven't been able to sign anyone bla bla bla.

Time will tell whether that money was well spent, as like you say they are mostly young and future hopes.

[V Crabro]

I'm simply pointing out that the money has been there, to those who constantly say we've got no money and that we haven't been able to sign anyone bla bla bla.

Wasn't a good portion of the cost of recent signings funded from the SEJ concert proceeds? (£600K?)

[stuh92]

Deeney, Buckley and Mcginn have been a complete waste of money so far

[stax]

clean sheet and an away point. sounds good to me. well done W.F.C

[krisvad]

Deeney, Buckley and Mcginn have been a complete waste of money so farDeeney's scored goals to secure point(s), McGinn has done well and at least Buckley gives us options evn if they aren't great.

Waste of money - no way.

[wfcmoog]

Deeney's scored goals to secure point(s), McGinn has done well and at least Buckley gives us options evn if they aren't great.

Waste of money - no way.

I disagree. Deeney's job is to score goals to win points. That's his whole purpose in being at the club. Just because he's delivered once, doesn't mean that the countless other times he's failed to produce don't render him a waste of money.

Likewise Buckley and McGinn, who are clearly not Championship quality players.

If anything, the better prospects this season have come from our academy, meanwhile Malky keeps on marginalising and hampering their development, by signing more deadwood, loan and free signings, who will not be around to take the club forward.

MON

[The Voice of Reason]

Deeney, Buckley and Mcginn have been a complete waste of money so far


I disagree. Deeney's job is to score goals to win points. That's his whole purpose in being at the club. Just because he's delivered once, doesn't mean that the countless other times he's failed to produce don't render him a waste of money.

Likewise Buckley and McGinn, who are clearly not Championship quality players.

If anything, the better prospects this season have come from our academy, meanwhile Malky keeps on marginalising and hampering their development, by signing more deadwood, loan and free signings, who will not be around to take the club forward.

MON

I do not think Deeney and McGinn have been a waste as they seem to be progressing quite nicely, but so far Buckley has failed to impress me!!!

Buckley flatters to deceive IMO, by this I mean he often looks good when in full flow, but about 9 times out of 10 he loses the ball, there is very little end product from him!!! Hopefully he will improve as he seems to have good ball skills, but I have my doubts :-\

[leighton buzzard horn]

Shocking game but a good point. It was cold, it was quiet. Nothing really happened other than them hitting the post twice in a minute.

[Desmond]

Number 36, your number is up...

[leighton buzzard horn]

Number 36, your number is up...

Ha! That was the most entertaining part of the day!

[Jelboy]

Ha! That was the most entertaining part of the day!

That was hilarious, whatever he'd been on before the game - I want some! He was right though O'Connor was really irritating...

[Spud]

I love Malky. Hes got nice eyes.

[Hornpete]

With regards the money spent on players, I mentioned a long time ago about a transfer policy where we pick up a number of players from the lower leagues and scotland - for instance spending £1m on 7 or 8 players rather than 1 or 2. The point being that if we had one £1 million pound signing he could still be dog s*** or get injured. With lots of cheaper signings you can't expect all of them to fit in and succeed (unless very lucky). What you can hope for though is that one or two become better and better, progressing into what may be a £2m value player we can sell on. Do folks forget that despite being stung a bit at tribunal, Danny Graham is a cheap lower league signing?

We can then build a team around the youngsters that come through, the old heads, a couple of loanees and the signings that work out well. We have no other choice in my opinion.

If we didn't buy all these players that people are complaining about, what sort of team would we have??



Loach
Hodson
Doyley
Marriappa
Bennett
Eustace
Cowie
Jenkins
Wichelow
Bryan
Graham

Subs?

Henderson
Oshodi
Bond
Kiernen
Mingoia
Massey
Thompson

The first team might win games, but there's no depth here whatsoever, the bench is just youngsters and in the event of injury there is simply nothing else.