Full time - Millwall v Barnsley

I sometimes wonder what it is that keeps me going back for more punishment when watching Barnsley. I've come away from The Den feeling absolutely fed up! Neither team deserved to win, and if they were still playing at midnight no one would have scored a normal goal. Typically Barnsley have to gift all their opponents with something every game, and today it was the turn of the fan's favourite "the good old own goal" and quite a splendid one it was too, a fine header defeating the outstretched right arm of Jack Butland from Scott Wiseman. In all fairness it was a genuine attempt to put the ball out for a corner from a wicked cross, but this is the second game Barnsley have left an away game this season having gifted all three points to an undeserving opponent. Last time was Blackpool back in August. It was a shame as unlike the first half Barnsley actually looked more up for the fight in the second period, only just missed a golden opportunity for Mellis to score in the opening minutes from a wonderful ball whipped across the mouth of the goal by Jim O`Brian. Millwall never looked at the races for most of the time, and but for poor finishing by Barnsley would have been punished on a couple of occasions. It's difficult to say where Barnsley are going from here, I think it's a difficult job David Flitcroft has at the moment, and he will need to get the results turning in his favour sooner rather than later. Thankfully there are worse clubs than Barnsley struggling at the foot of the division.

Half time - Millwall v Barnsley

Well that was uneventful, you can see why both teams are down at the bottom of the division. I think both keepers have had to make one clear cut save each. First Butland for Barnsley, a good one handed save at full stretch to his left hand side. Forde for Millwall then did well on a one on one facing Mellis. But it was a poor attempt by Mellis in the first instance. The whole half has been scrappy and very stop start.
I suppose the only good thing is that team massive "Wednesday" lost at home to Huddersfield in the lunchtime game. Which means so long as Barnsley don't lose we go above them.

Portsmouth to London

One of the reasons I like visiting the London grounds is because of working down in Portsmouth during the week. There's a direct train every thirty mins, so getting up to London is relatively easy, albeit a bit expensive. £31.50 for a day return. It also means I'm going to be able to get a pint or two without the worry of having to drive.
Here's a question for everyone. Why are other people's kids so damned annoying? I could swear I brought my two to be better behaved than this brood of screaming harridons I'm currently stuck with on this train. And who in their right mind calls a young girl Darcy. She looks nothing like Colin Firth!! Also I thought I could eat, but this lot started at Fratton and they're still at it at Woking. I suppose the good thing is that they've all been given gobstoppers which has led to a significant reduction in the decibel level in this coach. Here's hoping they last until Waterloo.

Preparing for Millwall

So we've just had an international break with the premier and championship teams having a couple of weeks off. It was strange too see Barnsley having one of their players involved, Scott Wiseman played for Gibraltar in their first ever UEFA friendly game. They played Slovakia and earned a very creditable 0-0 draw.

Saturday's game for Barnsley is against Millwall, which for some reason is a game I always look forward to going to.

Thankfully I work in Portsmouth Monday to Friday, so getting up to London is a lot easier than having to travel down from Halifax and back on a Saturday.

QPR v Barnsley pt2

Well I've spent the afternoon up in "that there London". And as usual I'm coming back in not too good a mood. Looks like I'll have to wait another year to see Barnsley win at Loftus Road. I'm more annoyed than depressed. The day had started out all too well, weather OK, trains on time, all the  sort of stuff that when it's not right can really screw up your day. Had a walk around Embankment, had a quick butchers at the London eye, laughed at all the tourists getting ripped off. Even walked across Westminster bridge and had a skeg at the houses of parliament. Eventually got the tube to Shepherds Bush and walked over to Loftus Road, disappointed to find that there wasn't as many Barnsley fans as normal, although I suppose with our previous record of wins there non existent it wasn't all that surprising really.

First half was good, finishing goalless albeit only thanks to a header off the line by David Perkins, and an amazing scramble involving two good saves by Jack Butland. It hadn't been all one way traffic either, Barnsley had a couple of chances themselves, not as clear cut as QPRs were but nonetheless not too bad.
So once the second half got underway it was with a bit of optimism that just maybe there might be a chance to get something out of the game. But it wasn't too be, from a quickly taken short corner Charlie Austin got the breakthrough, that to be honest QPR were looking good for. Barnsley didn't look out of it but there wasn't the intensity or cutting edge that we'd seen glimpses of in the first half. Unfortunately QPR were awarded a penalty with 10 mins to go that Charlie Austin put away with ease. And so I left Loftus Road just a tad pee'd off. Not with the display nor with the result, more from my own expectations. Being the eternal optimist does not bode well when you're a fan of Barnsley.

QPR v Barnsley

I've not done this for a while now, I've been a bit busy, what with work and family commitments its been a bit hectic to say the least.
I'm going up to Loftus Road today from Portsmouth, not my usual stating point, but seeing as I work down in Portsmouth Monday to Friday, it's more cost effective to stay the weekend and travel to to London for the game from there.
I'm really looking forward to this game, I know the history books have Barnsley not winning art Loftus Road in 63 years, but one day it's going to happen and I want to be there when it does.

Barnsley v Charlton

Barnsley 2-2 Charlton Saturday 17th August 2013

What can I say about the game, after 3 games of football, Barnsley managed to score twice, unfortunately so did Charlton, so as usual the result wasn't exactly making up for the long journey I'd just had to endure. Still Barnsley are off the mark now and at last are not bottom of the league. I had a good laugh listening to Radio Sheffield Praise or Grumble; I only ever listen when I know the two DeeDar Sheffield clubs have done badly. Their fans are a joy to listen to, Club Massive (Wendies) are probably the most deluded of the two; the way they go on, you'd think they were automatic contenders for the European Champions league because they are so "massive". The "Blunts" just can't abide the fact that little old Barnsley and Doncaster are in a league above them. Oh! and the inane ramblings of Brian the Blade can actually have you questioning your own sanity. If you ever find me agreeing with him, you can shoot me.