Tyking liberties! Barnsley 2 Newcastle 2.
Posted on December 13th, 2009 | 126 Comments |
With roughly 7,000 fans spilling down the A1 and from various parts of the country, there was promise of a special day out and as the masses gathered behind the North Stand (and West Stand) in the bright wintery sunshine, the mood was vibrant. Hughton made several changes to the team that played against Coventry, as Ryan Taylor game in for Danny Simpson, while Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll (a surprise inclusion) replaced Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Amoeobi. The formation began as a 4-5-1 with Nolan playing mostly as a second striker but as the game progressed he dropped deeper.
But it was another early goal from the midfield marksman, as he slotted him his tenth goal of the season within six minutes of the start following a couple of half chances for Andy Carroll. And with a bright start, it seemed like we might go on and build on it. But as always in football, habits set in and once we hit the half hour, we seemed happy to sit back and utilise this season’s defensive strengths.
The problem with that however, was that Barnsley’s approach was entirely different to other team’s we’ve faced this season. And despite Hallfredsson and De Silva instrumental on the deck, their ability to cause problems in the air for our defenders was of main concern. And it was they who combined for the equaliser, after a break which had seen the sides go in with us maintaining our one goal advantage.
Having been sent out early to prepare for the second half, Barnsley put us under a fairly sustained spell of pressure and when Andy Carroll gave the ball away cheaply, good work found De Silva on the right who crossed to Hallfredson and the Icelandic arrived unmarked to smash in on off the underside of the crossbar to make it 1-1.
Rather than spur us on, that seemed to give us the jitters and Shotton had a chance cleared off the line to prevent them taking the lead. But then we had equally good chances to restore our lead but neither Carroll nor Pancrate could convert with the goal seemingly gaping.
On came Harewood for Gutierrez and a switch which saw Pancrate move across to the left, and Harewood take up an unfamiliar wider role, which seemed to leave us looking unsure of what we were doing. But having momentarily switched sides, Carroll’s flick from a counter-attack found Harewood who finished well to make it 2-1 and send the away fans delirious, having had to take flack from the close quarters of the East Stand after the equaliser.
And it seemed with 12 minutes remaining, that we could surely hang on for the victory and another arguably undeserved three points. But despite, or perhaps as a result of, two sets of fresh legs in the form of Khizanishvili and Ranger coming on for Enrique and Pancrate we again seemed mishapen and unsettled and when Barnsley got a corner with minutes remaining, our worst fears were realised as Hassell rose seemingly unchallenged to make it 2-2 and send the home fans wild.
But all things considered, it was nothing more than Barnsley deserved for the grit and determination in a game that by their own admission was a big one for the season. Having started poorly they came back into the game and without having the ability to turn the screw, we always looked vulnerable from their direct play. A point away from home is nothing to grumble about, considering Barnsley’s recent form, but the manner in which we struggled to impose ourselves and the lack of creativity is difficult to accept. It’s just not like watching Brazil.
Barnsley – Steele, Hassell, Shotton, Moore, Dickinson, De Silva, Colace, Doyle, Hallfredson, Bogdanovic, Gray.
Subs – Preece, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, Macken, Potter, Hammill, Hume.
Newcastle United – Harper 6, R Taylor 7, S Taylor 6, Coloccini 6, Enrique 7, Pancrate 5, Butt 5, Smith 7, Nolan 7, Gutierrez 6, Carroll 6.
Subs – Krul, Simpson, Khizanishvili 5, Lovenkrands, Ranger 6, Ameobi, Harewood 7.
Att – 20,079 (with 6,987 Mags, – pretty special really).<
NUFCBlog Author: bowburnmag
bowburnmag has written 234 articles on this blog.
Glad to see that we can agree on almost everything, especially the electrifying atmosphere.
You were easily the best side we’ve played, and should easily win the league. Any other team would have given us three points.
I was particularly impressed with Carroll’s presence and Jose Enrique, who I didn’t think of as especially skillful before.
Good luck for the rest of the season, apart from when we return the favour to Tyneside. That should be another great game.