Barnsley 3 – 0 QPR

  So the perfect start for the new gaffer as Barnsley ran out 3 – 0 winners against ten man QPR at Oakwell.

Without doubt the reds played well after a slow start. I’m not sure how it would have gone had QPR remained with 11 men on the filed but even before the sending off I felt the super reds had started to take control.

It seems the new manager’s favoured formation is 3-4-3 and it worked well in this one. I however feel he has to change it as he needs get Mowatt, James and Styles in central midfield.

I thought Styles was our best player in the first half before he had to be moved to left wing back. I also felt Mowatt was excellent throughout as was James from his introduction at half time. Surely all three have to play? And all three have to play in midfield?

I think he is likely to stick with two central midfielders which will mean either Styles playing at left wing back or one of them missing out.

I would put Palmer next in line for a start after those three so where does that leave the big money signing Kane? He’s young and his time will come in my opinion. First of all he needs to get fit before he can push for a start. It now looks like we have spent a lot of money on a fifth choice midfielder but he does look to have talent and having so many quality options can only be a good thing.

Elsewhere on the pitch I also feel that we now have strength in depth, other than up front that is where I feel only Woodrow currently looks the part.

Williams. Brittain, Odour and Styles all look the part at wing back. The three centre halves look solid with capable backup in Williams and Halme and other than one mistake Walton has been excellent between the sticks.

Up front is my main worry and I am hopeful we can sign a free agent. Chaplin will get a few goals but these tend to come in patches and his overall game for me is pretty poor. Too many first time passes and flicks that go to the opposition when he just needs to hold the ball frustrated me immensely.

Even though we won 3 – 0 on Tuesday, the chances we missed must have worried the manager. These weren’t just half chances; these were chances that should be put away nine times out of ten. If we had only 5 – 0 we would have still been disappointed to only get five.

It was certainly a good feeling to get that first win of the season and get that monkey off our backs to back up some decent draws.

Watford next and this will be a tough game. They have started the season well following their relegation from the Premier League but I am confident we now have a good enough squad to give anyone a game.

COYR