Romared Match Thoughts: Barnsley-v-Portsmouth.

[SBRed48]

(in the absence of Animal, who usually starts these)

Pompey come to Oakwell as the only Third Division side undefeated this season and have lost just one of their last 13 away games, that defeat being at Oakwell. They are obviously a decent side and we have top weight on to achieve a fifth straight win and five clean sheets. In my opinion the calibre of recent opposition in Cheltenham, Grimsby and Burton may have given a bit of an exaggerated view of the team's quality and the better Portsmouth strikers will not let our defence get away with any errors.
I hope to be proved wrong but i can see them being a bit too strong for us.

[Shadrack the Red]

(in the absence of Animal, who usually starts these)

Pompey come to Oakwell as the only Third Division side undefeated this season and have lost just one of their last 13 away games, that defeat being at Oakwell. They are obviously a decent side and we have top weight on to achieve a fifth straight win and five clean sheets. In my opinion the calibre of recent opposition in Cheltenham, Grimsby and Burton may have given a bit of an exaggerated view of the team's quality and the better Portsmouth strikers will not let our defence get away with any errors.
I hope to be proved wrong but i can see them being a bit too strong for us.

I understand that Portsmouth are unbeaten but what I do not get are the comments about how we could well come undone against their better forwards when the facts indicate that Pompeys good run is built on their defence & not so much their attack , so far in seven games they have only coceded 3 goals whilst their attack has scored 10 goals in seven matches , now I dont know who they have played but 10 goals in 7 games in the third division is hardly prolific , yes we have a new defence & yes they are raw but I suspect that our potential problems might be at the other end of the pitch , I fancy a draw in a tight game , we will see .

[POGGYWELL]

An opportunity to go top if Port Vale drop three points at home to Burton. Very typical for us historically not to take advantage in this situation so I reckon a 1-1 draw based on that only.

I feel more confident going into this fixture than the playoff game at home to Bolton last season, I put this down due to our strength on the bench with quite a few chomping on the bit to make the starting eleven.

[Doggydo]

This game is going to give an indication as to whether we are in for a very good season or if we’ll be amongst the chasing pack for the play off spots. We haven’t beaten anybody yet who I think will be an automatic promotion team but Portsmouth are a club who I expect to be challenging for the top two so a win would be a real confidence boost.

[SBRed48]

I understand that Portsmouth are unbeaten but what I do not get are the comments about how we could well come undone against their better forwards when the facts indicate that Pompeys good run is built on their defence & not so much their attack , so far in seven games they have only coceded 3 goals whilst their attack has scored 10 goals in seven matches , now I dont know who they have played but 10 goals in 7 games in the third division is hardly prolific , yes we have a new defence & yes they are raw but I suspect that our potential problems might be at the other end of the pitch , I fancy a draw in a tight game , we will see .

If you re-read my post Shads it is describing the Portsmouth team as having better strikers than the Cheltenham, Grimsby and Burton teams we have just faced and are probably more likely to take opportunities. The fact that, between them, Cheltenham and Burton have scored just two Third Division goals in 14 games illustrates my point.
Sorry for any confusion my wording may have caused.

[EthelRed]

They beat Peterborough 3-1 last time out and look what Peterborough did to us.

Looks like were in for a real test.

Seven of their 10 goals have come in 3-1 and 4-0 victories meaning they have scored 3 in their remaining 5 matches. The concern I have is can our defence deprive them of chances? Although we have had 3 consecutive clean sheets, I havent been convinced by our new defence they are a work in progress but they will need their A game tomorrow against Pompey. If they can do that, I think we can win this as we look like we have goals in the team.

An interesting night ahead.

[SBRed48]

We have made a sound start with a mixed fixture list so far with, in my opinion, Wigan A being the key performance so far to suggest progress is being made.

Starting toneet the "meyt" of the season begins to kick in--

Portsmouth H
Northampton A
Blackpool H
Cambridge A
Exeter A
Bolton H

I think those next six games will tell us a lot more than the previous seven as to whether we are Promotion/ Play Off candidates again this season.

# Go Well Neill & Jon's Men's Team.

[Shadrack the Red]

If you re-read my post Shads it is describing the Portsmouth team as having better strikers than the Cheltenham, Grimsby and Burton teams we have just faced and are probably more likely to take opportunities. The fact that, between them, Cheltenham and Burton have scored just two Third Division goals in 14 games illustrates my point.
Sorry for any confusion my wording may have caused.

I take on board your points & having re read your comments I understand where you are coming from , my point is that I am looking at their performances & I am suggesting that their defence so far has been outstanding hence them being unbeaten run is possibly down to that , interestingly tonight this then throws up two teams against each other with one having the best goal scoring record in the league against the team with the best defensive record in the league , on paper it looks potentially to be a very good game , however we all know it is not played on paper & often games pan out totally different than you expect , we will see .

[Barnsley Chop]

Most likely will be a tough encounter with Pompey tonight, like us they are desperate to get out of League 3 and one of the favourites to do so.

Whatever the result all at Barnsley FC watching the game will be able to see the level we are currently at - physically, mentally and quality wise.

Good luck Lads 3 points please.

[POGGYWELL]

REDS: Roberts (GK), Cotter, Williams (C), Łopata, McCart, Cadden, Kane, Russell, Phillips, McAtee, Cole.

Subs: Killip (GK), Shepherd, O'Keeffe, Dodgson, Styles, Watters, Cosgrove.

POMPEY: Norris (GK), Poole, Ogilvie, Pack (C), Robertson, Bishop, Whyte, Morrell, Rafferty, Shaughnessy, Lane.

Subs: Schofield (GK), Towler, Stevenson, Sparkes, Devlin, Kamara, Anjorin.

Styles replaces Benson on bench.