Barnsley the next must win

[pete 372]

A little dramatic maybe, however if we want to stay top of the league which should be an aim not to win this game puts this in jeopardy.  After the last two disappointing results and performance a win has become a necessity to maintain confidence.  Barnsley are likely to be the next cab on the rank to shut up shop at Carrow Rd, a point or better away from home is a bonus.  An early goal to sabotage their game plan therefore we need to start games much better.

Gibson needs to come back in place of Zimmermann whose lack of place led to the QPR penalty and assisted the Watford goal.  But Farke's reluctance to use substitutes late on against QPR might indicate the players returning from injury are short of fitness.  Perhaps the recent schedule has caught up with the players recent performances seem to show this is the case.

We need Krul to come back as soon as possible as much for the influence on the team as for his skill as a keeper.  Unlikely to be fit for Barnsley and rely on young Barden a hint he maybe fit for the Cup game but no promises.  Be honest when will we see Tim again.

Swansea play Reading tonight a likely victory and Watford on Saturday whose away form is terrible 6 points likely with their better goal difference without a win for City they will go top.       

 

 

[Alex 26]

Tough test this they are playing really well at the moment and have marched up the league. From the Barnsley games I have seen this season they  are vulnerable if they concede the first goal as their game plan is based on keeping it tight. However, they can be  extremely difficult to break down as they are disciplined and hardworking.

 

I think this is a big game for us. 

Edited December 30, 2020 by Alex

[Branston Pickle 4,152]

It’s no more a must win than any game.  Last time I looked there were 24 games left, so 72 points to play for.  

[Canary Wundaboy 1,423]

We're coming off the back of 2 relatively (for our standards) poor results, a suitable response is required. I can appreciate Farke not waiting to change what he believes is his best side with certain players coming back from injury, but it was obvious from the first half last night that we were lacking pace and urgency. 2nd half was much better but other than the keeper sub no other changes were made until the 89th minute, that's not good enough.

[smooth 114]

It gives farke a time to bring in the changes we all thought should be in for qpr

Zimmerman is needed to move aside for Gibson

Quintilla and rupp are certainly are in line for a start.

Disappointed with the qpr performance and a step up is needed. We need to show our intent of being a team working for automatic promotion and staying in these spots. The team know they can step up and now is a good time to start another unbeaten run but you cannot go without 3 points for a number of games now.

[sonyc 6,145]

Barnsley are the form team of the moment (top I think) so this is no easy game. Then, nor was Wycombe (just squeezed past), Coventry, QPR or Derby. 5 points from these 4 games only. 

You'd think we are top and should be comfortable but when have we ever been? Most games, we are chewing our fingernails in the last minutes. Sometimes we hang on, yet against Derby, QPR and Coventry we didn't. QPR nearly (should have) snatched the unlikely win with a shocking miss. Even at Stoke...we go 3 up but hang on for dear life.

We are not scoring freely. It feels like Farke's first season ....we were top of the league in creating chances and in the bottom 3 for taking them. Will we score loads in a game soon?  We have to say we're not looking looking like we will!

Or... will something come out of the blue and in one match we convert everything?

It's astounding we are top. Amazing. We MUST be doing something right! Play much more directly and not just in the second half and we ought to have enough.

Quintilla back in for me. Martin for Mario. Gibson for Zimbo.

Based on nothing else but our recent performances and it looks like a draw or a narrow win.

Finally, a word for Oliver Skipp. This fella must be the first name on the teamsheet every week. He gets better each game. I enjoy his play. There's not too much talk here about him but I reckon he is the most consistent player this year. And as a loanee his commitment is first class. So happy we have him. Would love to see him get his first yellow and green goal.

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

Another draw maybe, Barnsley are massing some points up now and will come to play positively. 

[CanaryChris 147]

So...along came Norwich and thrashed em!

[Move Klose 303]

Barnsley have done superb since their new manager came in. To be safe before january with their squad and budget is a hell of a job.

Cant see them coming and putting 11 men behind the ball which could suit us. But saying that we need to take our chances no matter who we play.