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I
missed both matches this weekend, on a boozy stag do in Newquay,
but made sure that I had a radio with me for the matches.
Two
draws would have been a solid return from matches against Brighton
at home and Blackpool away - but two wins - it just shows how far
we have come under Gudjon's guidance.
This
is virtually the same group of players that let us down week after
week last season.
I keep
looking at the league table - and there it is, the written proof
that Barnsley are TOP OF THE LEAGUE!
You
wouldn't believe it listening to Monday's coverage on Radio Five
Live though - we barely got a mention all day - yet other teams
in the top five or six got regular coverage.
Lets
hope we can force this to change and make people sit up and take
notice.
Remember
people - Barnsley are TOP OF THE LEAGUE!
I'm
sure that most sane Barnsley fans won't be getting too carried away
at this early stage, a couple of defeats would see us slip back
to mid-table but these are heady days down at Oakwell and I for
one intend to enjoy them while I can.
My
phone bill will show just how many text messages I sent to the Sheffield
Wednesday fans I know on Monday afternoon.
It's
hard not to get a little carried away though, our next few games
are all ones I would expect us to get something from, I just hope
the expectancy from the fans doesn't get to the players, and I hope
that no complacency sets in.
I'm
sure Gudjon will be making sure everyone focuses on the job in hand.
Another
positive is that the goals are beginning to be shared around a little
with three different players registering over the weekend.
That
should boost the confidence and make us less reliant on one player
to get the goals.
Saturday's
game will tell us a lot about the attitude of the players.
Barnsley,
(TOP OF THE LEAGUE), at home to Notts County who are at the bottom.
They
have conceded 11 and scored none.
It
is a classic "Coupon Buster" - everyone goes for a home
win, and the whipping boys spoil the party.
I'm
confident it wont happen, and I'm praying we do the job properly,
but let's not get too impatient if we don't get an early goal.
I expect
that they will set themselves up to keep a clean sheet - we just
need the guile and patience to break them down.
If
we get an early one, they will have to come out and have a go at
us.
I'm
going to predict 2-0 to the Reds, but we may have to wait a while
for the breakthrough.
As
I said, they will come to defend, so midfielders making runs and
getting beyond the strikers will be vital, or it may come down to
a set piece.
I'm
therefore going to go for Lumsdon to score again, by all accounts
he's getting back to where he was when he came to Barnsley on loan.
How
I remember that, and the desperation of the fans to make him a permanent
addition to the squad.
This
season is payback time Chris - so come on!
I'm
hoping to see the crowds increase as well, I'm sure there are many
fans out there who were expecting an awful season and didn't renew
season tickets or bother attending matches.
Maybe
this will bring a few back.
There
are however, many more fans who are staying away until our ownership
is sorted, and I understand their frustration - we just need to
know who is in control, when we can sign players and come out of
administration, when the debts will be repaid and some idea of what
the future holds.
It's
a huge issue, but I intend to put all that to the back of my mind
on Saturday and concentrate on getting behind the lads - let's make
the atmosphere a belter - a throwback to the last promotion season.
We
need to get behind 'em and enjoy our position looking down on the
rest of Division Two - when was the last time we could say Barnsley
are TOP OF THE LEAGUE! (and doesn't it feel good).
COME
ON YOU REDS!
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