We were poor. Or, at least, Lincoln were a sight better than Mansfield. Was that why Darrell didn’t even rant at half-time as we stood a goal down? Or was it resignation? (It was certainly resignation at the end, as the few who stayed gave the most cursory of boos, nothing like Boxing Day.) Resignation. Again. Like under the dying days of Collins, of Clarke. Apathy is worse than anger, and judging by the gaps in the home end, there was plenty of apathy tonite. Even the drummer didn’t show up. Does he only do special occasions?
It’s all Caylan Vickers’ fault, Mansfield. So Coach Conor drops him and brings the GOAT into midfield, Watson replacing said GOAT at right back. It takes GOAT 8 minutes to play a ball behind his teammate to set up the Lincoln counter attack. One foul later and the free kick is swung in from the right. Do I remember this right? Was their guy on his own, 4 yards out, when he bangs the header past Cooper? Now, call me a traditionalist, but I expect a keeper to come and catch a ball that’s only 4 yards in front of him, especially when there’s no traffic to get through. Let’s hope TV doesn’t prove me otherwise, but I’d be willing to bet, when the free kick is taken, that Cooper is closer to where the ball lands than any other player. Get rid.
Do we manage an attack ourselves in that 1st half? Cleary has a shot that smacks a defender’s head. We also have a penalty claim, as the ball strikes an Impish hand. Yes, it could have been given, but really, we’re feeding off scraps. Lincoln have our measure; at one point they triple up on Cleary. They later do the same on Kelly. Do they ever bother marking Connell, Bland or Yoganathan? Not that I noticed.
Lincoln are extremely well organised, and that’s it. Every time we have possession, they have 8-10 men behind the ball. Usually 8 (2 banks of 4) before we knock it around sideways and it becomes 10. If ever we venture forward we are massively outnumbered. Well played Lincoln City. Unspectacular, but manage the basics...and I’m led to believe they’re 2nd in the table (I still refuse to look).
Half-time comes and Coach Conor bursts into action, subbing Yoga for Phillips. And he even lets Phillips have a couple of shots, though that doesn’t end well. About 2 minutes into the 2nd half he wastes what would prove to be our best chance, screwing a close range shot wide. (Later, he’s spotted at right back again. WTAF is our manager doing?) Other chances include...no, scrub that. Our only other chance is Kelly missing the same opportunity from a 37 year old’s beautiful cross. But the game had gone by then. 0-2 and into injury time.
And WHAT A STRIKE their second was. Shepherd heads a corner clear (I’m not putting this goal on the kitchen fitter). It falls from the sky to the edge of our box where former Fowl and Smog Monster Adam Reach rolls back the years to lash one in off the bar on the volley. Where’s our defensive midfield when you need ‘em? That ball took an age to come down and yet there still wasn’t a Barnsley player in sight. Oh well. I stood up and applauded, and plenty of others put their hands together (and not around Coach Conor’s neck).
I rather got the impression that had we scored a couple, Lincoln woulda gone and got 3, or 4. They looked like they played well within themselves and that gift of an early goal meant they just had to remain compact and let our mistakes do the talking. It was just all...too easy.
I’ve just had a text from the NNN (Nozzer News Network). He claims we are 2 pts above relegation. I refuse to look, and I refuse to believe him.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Earl. Couldn't really fault him. Won his headers. Found Reds players with the ball. Didn’t gift the opposition any goals.
** Kelly. We’re onto the default settings now. Made a few runs forward, but invariably outnumbered and toothless.
* Cleary. Had a shot and a couple of crosses. Most likely to create summat, but didn’t.
Official MOTM: Kelly (see earlier: ‘default settings’)
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Kelly 2. Cleary 3. Earl
Despatches:
Coach Conor’s 2nd half response? Sends on a Jalo for Watson, with the GOAT to right back. Then MdG for Roberts (injured? Hope so!) before sending on a pensioner in the 87th minute for the GOAT (and Phillips to right back). Still, at least he resists temptation to bring on Farrugia, but it’s not pretty. Still, you never see a goalless draw at Oakwell, do you!?
With nobody else wanting to go, I think I’ll give Wigan a miss, especially as there’s a tasty looking Stalybridge Celtic v Bury game on down the road. I still quite fancy Port Vale, but 3 Reds games in a week? I wouldn’t wish that on anybody right now.
Drink du jour: Tiny Rebel Clwb Tropicana at Heaven and Ale. Plus a roast turkey and stuffing sandwich and a few roasties. I was winning life at that point.
Away: 1,529 (10,711 - never). ‘Barnsley get battered everywhere they go....everywhere they go.’ Indeed.
The Damage:
c.£7 petrol
= c.£7
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