Barnsley 2 – 0 Blackburn

Goals from Conor Chaplin and Jacob Brown gave the super reds a much needed 2 – 0 victory over Blackburn Rover at Oakwell.

This win makes impressive reading for the reds since the restart with seven points taken from a possible nine and three clean sheets in the process.

This win and the probable 12 point deduction for Wigan entering administration gives renewed hope that another great escape is possible.

Barnsley set off like a house on fire and looked very impressive during the first ten minutes. Woodrow looked more like his old self and in this ten minute period looked more dangerous than he had in the entire previous two games combined.

However this was short lived and Millwall soon took hold of the game and dominated for the remainder of the half.

Barnsley despite being under almost constant pressure, defended resolutely yet again. Sollbauer and Andersen yet again standing out and Ben Williams chipping in with few fantastic last ditch tackles.

Walton was again superb and his clean sheet record in so few league games played is simply outstanding.

Credit must go to Struber for changing the system at half time and being brave enough to introduce substitutes early in the second half.

The substitutes changed the game that is for sure. One substitute provided the cross for another as Chaplin headed home for the opener.

Styles ran the show. I’ve been baffled all season how this lad hasn’t been starting. Every time he has come on he has looked good. He takes the game to the opposition, he is willing to run at them, willing to try the difficult pass, he looks to have all the ability in the world.

As for myself wanting Jordan Williams in the side instead of Ludewig. Well what do I know? Williams wasn’t at his best yesterday and Ludewig came on and made an immediate impact by providing the cross for Chaplin’s goal.

I stand by the fact that overall performances from the two this season that Williams has been better but Ludewig probably deserves the shirt for the next game.

One player I’m certain about is Ritzmaier. He should be nowhere near the team and I’d rather have a young lad from the academy on the bench too. I just can’t see what he brings at all. He must have some incriminating photos of Struber somewhere.

I was pleased for Brown to finally grab a goal and the improvement of Andersen is quite frankly unbelievable.

The red card was a baffling one. I’ve heard a few people say there was a stamp after the foul but I’m yet to see this anywhere. Either way I’m not complaining.

I’m going to give my usual ‘this is who you should pick the next game’ a miss and leave it to Struber. Other than to say Styles must surely start and Ritzmaier surely must be dropped.

Reds Ratings:

Walton              8

Sollbauer          8

Andersen          8

B Williams         8

J Williams         5

Ritzmaier                       4

Palmer                          6

Mowatt                         7

Simoes                         6

Woodrow                      7

Brown                           7

Subs:

Styles                           9

Ludewig                        7

Chaplin                         8

Thomas                        6

Schmidt                        5

Stoke next up in a relegation six pointer on Saturday.

COYR