Barnsley 0 – 2 Lincoln – Reaction

The Super Reds suffered another Trophy defeat but still progressed to the latter stages on goal difference.

In front of a record low crowd for a first team game, the Reds started extremely brightly for the first 20 minutes before Lincoln got hold of the game and took control.

After that opening period, it was an extremely poor performance from Barnsley who fielded a strong but not first choice team.

The defence remains an issue and the goals conceded were extremely poor, easily undone by two long balls.

The first goal was truly awful with the left back slightly up field, both centre backs were almost in the left back position on the halfway line leaving acres of space in the middle for the Lincoln runners.

Flavell started in goal and made a few good saves and cannot be blamed for the goals conceded but did look suspect at times with his handling.

Watson and Ogbeta occupied the full back positions and continued their recent poor form after impressive performances early in the season.

Rooney and Shepherd were the centre backs. This was surely Rooney’s last game in a red shirt and will be sent back in January. He is not up to the level and should be below our academy lads in the pecking order.

Positionally both himself and Shepherd were all over the place. I was critical of Shepherd early in the season but think he has improved no end, but this game showed that he needs an experienced figure such as Roberts or Earl alongside him.

Yoganathan was moved deeper alongside Connell in midfield and struggled to get involved in the general play. He looked much more comfortable in a more advanced role against Doncaster. Connell was probably the pick of the bunch for the reds, but he was very much a mixed bag. Some brilliant passing accompanied by some awful. He was our biggest threat on goal with a couple of long-range efforts that didn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

Vickers was on the left wing and Farrugia on the right and both were poor. I don’t know what has happened to Vickers. He looked good on the right wing at the beginning of the season but a drop off in form has seen him be moved to the left and the number ten position and out of the side completely which is where he could find himself for a while on this form. I am almost at the Rooney stage with Farrugia, keeping Cotter for that role would have been a better option.

McGoldrick started in the number ten position and Keillor-Dunn up front. Didn’t we sign them the other way round? They both clearly prefer where they were selected last night but it just shows that we have no out and out centre forward at the club. Keillor-Dunn guarantees goals there, but does he need an out and out striker up there with him?

One player that I liked the look of when he came on was Graham who was willing to put a shift in and get stuck in and happy to receive the ball. He may struggle for much more game time in an already congested midfield but hopefully he is one for the future.

International break for us on Saturday, not sure if that’s a good thing or bad thing after last night.

COYR