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NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP 2011-12 |
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Notts Forest 0 |
Barnsley 0 |
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Barnsley FC under new management, and a with newly structured side frustrated Steve Mclaren at the City ground, in a game not exactly fizzing with new season excitement, the reds come away with what is a nice point away from home to start the season in positive style against a team who should be there abouts at the end of the season.
It was a boring first halfs entertainment for the opening game for the two teams, the home side enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to create anything incisive in the Barnsley area, making it look like Mclarens touch has done for forest what he did so well with England...;o)
We posed a threat on the counter as our pace up front from Haynes and new boy Craig Davies caused a few problems and with Davies having the best chance for Barnsley FC as he headed an opportunity to open the scoring, wide of the mark.
In the second half Forest started to make the possession turn into positive chances, with chances from McGuggan firstly firing wide, and the second chance being blocked from goal.
It seems that Mclaren has created a team that can retain possession but lack bite to create anything in front of goal... re: England similarities once again, but can't recall the passing happening either!
Forest lined up in midfield with new signings jonathan Greening and Andy Reid alongside veteran Boateng, undoubtably some class in there, but no breakthrough against a resiliant Barnsley side, once again placed to go down by bookmakers, which I would personally have money against.
Barnsley didn't have the ball as much as the home side, but unlike the glaringly un-involved McGoldrick, Haynes and Davies looked by far the better attacking force in the game, which is a positive sign for the rest of the coming season. Davies had the best chance, getting on the end of a teasing Butterfield cross but no with enough accuracy from just six yards.
Nathan Doyle looked like opening the scoring, as he surged into the Forest area to get on the end of a nice cross, but was knocked away from getting any proper contact on the ball by some good defensive play by Chris Cohen.
Craig Davies had a good run which culminated with testing the Forest keeper later on, but were content to hold on for the point as Forest attempted to find the breakthrough in the last minutes.
All in all, alot better result for the Tykes than Forest. But points shared, and some positives for Barnsley FC to take into their next championship game at Oakwell against newly promoted Southampton.
