Barnsley in throwback to last season in FA Cup defeat

Let’s face it, given Barnsley`s recent stuttering performances and coming up against a resurgent Derby at Pride Park my heart said we may nick a win, the head said a loss. In the end some very familiar issues raised their head again with too many individual errors and a lack of leadership from those in red led to a demoralising three goal loss. Cup runs are overrated anyway but here’s my take on what I have just witnessed at Pride Park.

Decent 40 minutes

The Reds started the brighter side creating a couple of chances, the best which Liam Kitching should have done better with at the far post. If there is ever a place you need to score first at its Pride Park. Paul Warne`s side have been quietly moving up the League One table and although the Rams were far from spectacular today, they are a side full of confidence.

In fact it took the home side 23 minutes to create their first chance with Jack Walton tipping over from close range only for the ref to give a goal kick.

The old adage of “score when you’re on top” was true today, but the reds slowly took the foot off the gas and Derby grew into the game.

Poor service to Norwood and Cole

Although Norwood and Cole had poor games they fed on absolute scraps. When will we ever learn that a long high ball up to Cole is no good? He needs it in his feet where he can turn and run at defenders. There is no one in midfield who can open up a defence with a killer ball. If Cadden or Williams struggle to put good crosses in then there is little supply line to the front men.

Connell, Kane, Wolfe, Benson and Martin all fail to possess a defence splitting pass. In fact Martin should be sent back to his parent club as he has shown nothing at Oakwell so far this season and his attitude looked poor when he came on. What a waste of a substitution, the lad doesn’t look like he wants to be here.

Two mad minutes and the game was over

Tom Edwards looked like he had never been away for the 40 minutes he was on the pitch. Then disaster struck when he appeared to suffer a bad injury defending the cross forcing the ball out for a corner. It was a good job Edwards wasn’t suffering a cardiac arrest as the medics took an eternity to get on the pitch to help despite the gesturing from two Derby players that he needed urgent help.

The Reds switched off from the resulting corner with Matty Wolfe conceding a penalty with a handball. None of us in the away end nor Doug O`Kane in the press box nor Michael Duff knew why it was given and I am not 100% convinced despite seeing some replays on mobile phone footage. From that minute forth the game was effectively over.

Individual errors are proving fatal

Four penalties conceded in four games!! Then Cundy`s clanger against Bolton and Walton`s today and you see a pattern forming where individuals are costing the side big time. We have gone from a water tight defence to shipping clangers each week. If this doesn’t get resolved soon then our chances of the play offs will be gone.

Whilst Michael Duff cannot legislate for these errors, he and his coaching team need to address this issue urgently. It is difficult to see players getting dropped for these errors given the squad depth is paper thin. There is little quality sitting on the bench to come in and make a positive difference. January`s shopping list just got bigger with a couple of right sided players and a centre half added to it.

Second half resembled last season

The confidence that was running through the side in November and December has gone overnight. Ball watching for the second goal, calamitous defending for the third and the second half resembled something out of last season.

No leader and no passion

The only passion came from Duff kicking a water bottle away in that second half. He got so exasperated at the reds constantly giving the ball away. Kitching gave three passes in a short space of time straight to a player in white when under little pressure. Granted we were 3-0 down but they were straightforward passes which gave possession away deep in our own half and could have led to more goals.

Barnsley became 11 individuals once they went a goal down. Barely putting more than two passess together. The shape and system became schoolboy-like with no one prepared to take ownership and get the rabble together. None of the substitutes made any difference and I can honestly say that I cannot pick any player out in red who could remotely be named man of the match.

What next?

So that is back to back 3-0 defeats against sides considered play off challengers in two different competitions. We have gone from bossing away wins at the likes of Peterborough to making embarrassing mistakes that have proved fatal. The confidence has eroded overnight with a couple of poor performances.

The reds travel to Charlton next Saturday against a side enjoying a new manager bounce winning three in a row. These players have to look themselves in the mirror and turn things around quickly.