Barnsley 1 – 1 Cardiff – Match Analysis

A brilliant battling, backs to the wall display saw the Super Reds hold promotion chasing Cardiff to a 1 – 1 draw under the lights at Oakwell on Tuesday night.

When Cardiff took the lead early in the second half it looked as though a cricket score was on the cards. The reds had sat far too deep, allowing Cardiff to play and the plan to contain was not working at all.

The reds somehow managed and equaliser against the run of play with Banks slotting home following good work by Bradshaw. It was, however, after the equaliser that the tide started to turn in the red’s favour.

Hourihane pulled his players over before allowing the game to restart to clearly give them instructions and for the rest of the half Barnsley were by far the better team.

They began to press, giving Cardiff no time on the ball and they simply couldn’t play and were forced to go long. Connell pushed high onto their number six who was dictating play up to that point, but he just couldn’t get on the ball for the rest of the half.

Prior to that Connell and Bland had been sat on the centre backs toes. The space vacated by Connell meant that often the centre backs would have to step into midfield to press but the plan worked and we were unlucky not to go in at half time leading.

McGoldrick had a glorious opportunity with the goal gaping, you would have bet everything you owned that he’d find the back of the net. An easier chance he could not have wished for. As the night wore on it was obvious it was not to be his night in front of goal to his overall display and work rate was excellent.

The second half was mainly a backs to wall job. Defending for our lives with very little possession of the football.

Despite only 27% possession we were good value for the draw, and I credit Hourihane for his in-game management and tactics in this one, something I have been critical of previously. He showed that he is learning and if he adds this side of the game to the attractive attacking football, he has us playing at times then he is certainly the man to take us forward.

Goodman has now started to look like a goalkeeper after a very shaky start. The back four were immense all night. In particular De Gevigney who seemed to get on the end of absolutely everything and was my man of the match. Also, a special mention to Shepherd playing out of position at left back but also as a third centre back at the same time.

Connell and Bland really put in the miles pressing and following runners and Yoganathan was excellent following his impressive performance on Saturday.

Banks really came to life after his goal and McGoldrick and Bradshaw worked their socks off.

The most impressive part of the evening for me was how the crowd really got behind the game plan and the team. It was the best we have been as a crowd for a long time and hopefully it continues and we get behind the lads on the pitch.

We now travel to Mansfield on Saturday. Three points there and do we have a sniff of the play-offs?

COYR