Well, what a week! Six days after 42,000 of us returned home from one of
those special days at Wembley, City return to their ultimate target with a league match
against Lee Johnson’s Barnsley. Little Lee just can’t keep away from Ashton
Gate, can he. Perhaps a portent of times to come…
This week Stu Radnedge spoke to Andy White, a Tykes fan who has renewed hope for their new regime.
“It's been a
difficult season back in the third tier for we Barnsley supporters. The
football on the whole has been poor/dull, results little better and we've had
to say goodbye to yet another manager, the greatest we've ever had. First time
around. Unfortunately, results and the failed product put paid to his second
coming a couple of months ago now. Lots of us found it a harsh decision to
remove Danny Wilson. We were mid table, anything could have happened. But the
board sacked him after a 2-1 home defeat against Fleetwood Town. The caretaker
managership then oversaw a 5-1 humiliation at Crawley Town (for which the
travelling fans were reimbursed) before guiding us to two victories without
conceding a goal. And then the very 'meh' appointment of Lee Johnson came
about.
What has happened
since then has revitalised the fanbase, the players and breathed new life into
the dying embers of the league campaign. Two consecutive victories became six,
with just one goal conceded and at last it appeared the quality players we knew
we'd got had finally clicked as a team. Clicked so well that we now stand a
fighting chance of making the end of season playoffs. Barmy game,
football!
I have been very
impressed with Johnson so far. The performances of his players haven't been
standout to be honest, we've not all of a sudden looked world beaters. But the
team now looks like a team. It's cohesive, it looks purposeful and well
drilled. Not boring, but not thrilling either. He's basically come in and got
them back to basics. We went a goal behind last weekend against form side PNE.
A few months ago you'd have seen us lose that by three goals, surrendering I
suppose. But we came out flying in the second half and got a well deserved and
hard fought point. We weren't very good in the game prior to that, away at
Orient, but our young keeper Adam Davies had a stormer and we fought for a
precious point and goalless draw. Fight. We've now got some. And it's a trait
that everyone supporting little old Barnsley expect from their side/players as
a bare minimum.
Can we make the
playoffs? I doubt it, deep down. I wouldn't rule it out, we've some
exceptionally talented footballers for this division. But injuries are biting
again. We've now lost Davies for a couple of weeks and had to emergency loan in
a young kid keeper from neighbours Sheffield Wednesday. You might have heard of
them? No? They're massive. No? Oh, ok then...
It appears you lot
have had a far smoother ride this season. Stability, success, confidence,
optimism. A trip to Wembley and what now looks a nailed on return to the second
tier. I expected you to win the division, and you're going to do. With minimal
fuss. Fantastic achievement, and momentum to take into a much harsher
environment next season. I'll wish you all the best with that. And perhaps
we'll see you there...?
Just a quick note
to end - When we nearly beat you in the Oakwell fixture, we followed up that
point with a victory over Sheff Utd and another against Colchester. The fixture
list throws all three of those games at us again now, and so I'd be over the
bloody moon if we take another seven from nine.
Thanks for reading,
and good luck going forwards.”
My thanks to Andy and Stu for this great preview. After
holding Preston for us last weekend, let’s hope they can do us another favour
this week and roll over to a nice zero points!
COYR!
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