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I accept that these are hardly the kind of fixtures that set the
pulses racing for most fans, but the opportunity for away trips
to two Yorkshire grounds was too good to miss.
So,
theoretically, if we could choose only one of these to win, which
one? Personally, the FA Cup tie was more important to me, as the
opportunity to get one of the big clubs at Oakwell in round three
is what makes the FA Cup so special.
However,
we never like to lose to the "BIG" club down the road,
even in the LDV, and the draw for that competition has definitely
opened up.
So,
York first, and whilst suffering from a mighty hangover from the
night before, I arrived in York shortly after midday and went straight
for a drink.
There
was a good crowd of us, and spirits were high. The pre-match talk
was about who we could get in the next round.
Ideally,
a non-League club at Oakwell to make progression a little easier,
however we all know that things don't work out like that for Barnsley,
and for the fifth draw in succession we were drawn away - to Bristol
City.
This
was the draw I had predicted, as it was probably about the worst
draw we could get.
The
match itself was poor, York seemed to be under orders to kick and
punch their way through the game, and they were extremely fortunate
to finish with 11 players on the pitch.
Despite
the scrappy nature of the match, we scored two very good goals to
come from a goal behind, and fully deserved the win.
It
was a thoroughly professional performance marred only by the injury
to our captain - Peter Handyside. It looks like we will be without
him until Christmas.
In
between the two games we saw some transfer activity.
Striker
Rory Fallon was sold to Swindon, and Jonathan Walters came in on
loan from Bolton as a direct replacement.
Now
I was no fan of Fallon, he didn't have the strength or technique
to be a good striker at this level, but I felt that the Barnsley
fans were too quick to get on his back.
The
level of abuse he received was ridiculous, and I think that the
fans need to be more supportive of our players. He was trying his
best in a squad with limited options - let's concentrate on getting
behind the lads - they need our support.
On
that note, the support we gave at Hillsborough was fantastic. A
good turnout, and we sang for the entire 90 minutes.
I'm
sure most of us were helped along by the customary few pints beforehand,
even though most pubs were designated as "Home fans only".
It
is never nice to lose against the Fowls, but we put up a good display,
outplayed them for long periods of the game, and deserved the win
ourselves.
The
last-minute goal from Reddy was a sickener, but we all saw enough
to suggest that we have nothing to fear when they come to us in
the league on December 13th.
It
is a game I am looking forward to for so many reasons, and I am
sure that another three points will come our way.
Anyway,
looking forward, we have Tranmere at home tomorrow. We are unbeaten
at home and they haven't won away! A classic upset on the cards
if we aren't careful.
They
are five unbeaten under their new manager, so it wont be easy I'm
sure. However, I cant forecast anything other than a home win, and
having got the Wrexham score correct I'm going to push my luck and
go for the Reds to win 3-1, Walters to score!
A win
will put us back up to second as the top two play each other. It's
important we stay in touch at the top, and hopefully open a bit
of a gap between seventh place and ourselves.
The
play-offs are a minimum requirement for our season now, but the
longer we stay up or around automatic promotion, the better.
Let's
get behind the lads again tomorrow, and show them how much this
means to us.
We
are exceeding our pre-season expectations - we just need to keep
it going!
COME
ON YOU REDS!!
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