‘Has his girlfriend left him yet?’
Still, a new dawn, a new day. I’d love to tell you how the Reds were welcomed out onto the Oakwell pitch with renewed vigour from a passionate home support, but I missed the sides coming out. Though I noticed the Ponty appeared less full than usual. Looking at the stats page in the programme, it appears the home support (so ignore the away crowd) has diminished game on game all season, as hope dwindles. So you’d think getting rid of Schopp woulda brought a few out. Maybe Markus had his fans after all?
Whisper it…but we weren’t bad. The stand-in coach (who’s name I’ve never known, nevermind forgotten) didn’t change a lot. 3-4-3, but with Benson back in midfield…and what a difference he makes. Twice he made reverse 30-40 yard passes which put us free wide left. He ran the show, 1st half…so of course we were losing. WRDC put in a huge up and under from the left. (Watch it on youtube; it goes so high the camera loses it.) Collins stepped out, hesitated, then retreated to his goal. The defender (Moon) heads it away to the edge of the box where Derby pick it up, play a neat pass and he’s through. My initial thoughts were the keeper coulda (shoulda) came out and punched. I then thought the defence failed miserably with the clearance, but I’ve seen it again and I think I’m being harsh…on the defence. The ball makes it out of the box. Wherethehell are the midfield? But then the ball back is inadequately dealt with by the backline….basically, a sh*tshow all round.
It was a pity. We’d had chances ourselves (same old, same old). Their keeper pulled off a great reaction save with his feet through a crowd of players, while Iseka wasted a golden opportunity on the backpost, heading weakly straight to the keeper. But we hit back before half-time; a bizarre 40 yard 1-2 between Brittain and Big Vic sends the latter towards the corner flag. Vic cuts inside…hits it, and it’s one-all! Howthehell did that go in? Well, being vaguely behind the shot…it was going straight at the keeper…till a Derby idiot defender stuck out a leg and deflected it in. GET IN THERE YOU JAMMY BARSTEWARDS! But, if you don’t buy a ticket to the raffle… Frank Lampard scored summink like 200 odd goals and I’m convinced 63% of them took a deflection. (The other 37% were penalties.) Have a shot and MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK.
Then, early 2nd half, the winner. Brittain (God loves a trier) technically sets up a 2nd goal as he chipped a free kick into the box for Iseka to beat the offside trap, bring it down and finish into the roof of the net. The coolest finish I’ve seen at Oakwell (from a Barnsley player) for a long time. WRDC, now realising they’re in trouble, threw on the subs and for 20 minutes it was end to end. Then after 75, Gomes went off and we never saw the ball again, deciding to spend the rest of the match in our own half and give the ball away. Even when we won the ball with their keeper in our box (from 2 corners) we failed to take advantage, and we got away with it in the end as one blockbuster hit someone and bounced clear, and Derby hit the bar with a shot and we cleared the rebound off the line. Exciting stuff (and I’ve not said that for a while).
Onwards and upwards!
*** Gomes. Did the simple things, like winning the ball, keeping possession. It’s so easy when you’ve got talent. Then he went off and there was nobody prepared to put their foot on the ball.
** Brittain. Worked hard and was rewarded with 2 assists. Still can’t cross a ball though.
* Iseka. Did well in parts and sublime control and finish for his goal.
Official MOTM: Iseka.
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Gomes 2. Brittain 3. Iseka
Despatches:
Benson was the best player on the pitch for half an hour before (presumably) tiring. It was good to see Mads back, but Helik stole the show again in defence. The way he wins every header, or (his speciality) steps in front of the forward to intercept, is the reason he won’t be with us for long. (As an aside, another former Londontyke claims Helik has been nowhere near as good as last season. Let’s just say I disagree. Without him and Collins we’d be on minus 2 points this season.) Moon complemented both and we generally looked solid in the centre. Styles was in and out, till he was out (subbed). Up front, Big Vic gave his usual effort and was unlucky to be hooked (although Cole looked promising on the counter…if only we could find him!) Which leaves Woodrow, who had the same game he’s had for 18 months, huffing and puffing, outpaced by everyone, throwing his arms up at every challenge on him, and never looking like he’d score a goal. So, undroppable.
Drink du jour: Nada. Not a new Brewdog tipple (altho…)
Away: 2,599
The Damage:
c. £35 petrol
£3 programme
= c. £38
The Tunes:
BBC6 Music (Steve Lamacq / Gideon Coe)
Being a Wednesday, it was Steve Lamacq’s ‘album club’ whereby he plays a classic album from the past. Everyone’s favourite music is from their formative years and I’m no different. This week, it’s a cracking album from 1991, one of my favourites, blinding guitar in a wall of noise…and no, it’s not any of that Nirvana* shenanighans. I mean, of course, ‘Loveless’ by My Bloody Valentine. If there’s any Londontykes whose offspring play guitar, perhaps they ought to get their ears around this….
*Nevermind is a decent album, well-written songs…but it’s hardly Andy Weatherall’s Screamadelica, or, my own all-time fave (and from 1991)….Foxbase Alpha by St. Etienne.
NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW…..
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