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30th September : Barnsley 4 Chesterfield 1,

At last some good news and for once the best part of our game was the finishing. The other miracle didn't happen though, we were still sloppy in defence and we could have easily let more in but today wasn't about defence it was about attack. Well done the lads.

We had an early scare when Appleby had to be replaced by Bullock who had to initially drop to the wingbacks role. Liddell settled early tension by finishing brilliantly. Sheridan made a good instinctive pass from his own half to an advancing Barnard who took it on 20 yards before passing into the stride of Liddell. Our best piece of football to this point in the season.

Redfearn struck a powerful free kick and caught the Chesterfield keeper unawares by taking the kick early. 2-0 to the Barnsley. It could well have been increased before the break when Barnard hit a freekick against the bar. It has to be said that it was his second try at it and it certainly helped him find his range.

To start the second half we did well a shot blocked and the ball rebounded to Sheridan who took his time and lobbed the keeper precisely placing his shot in the top of the goal. Any higher and the ball would have gone over and any lower it would have been saved.

Barnard gave away the Chesterfield penalty which they converted for there only goal which prevented our second clean sheet. He pushed a pouncing Spirites striker who followed in a post rattling shot. Lormor hit it hard and high and for the first time this season Leese didn't get anywhere near to saving it as it was struck into the centre of the goal. This was by no means the only chance that Chesterfield got all day, with better finishing and strikers who could keep there nerve infront of goal we might well have been sweating a bit. This in a nutshell highlighted the difference between the leagues. Finishers.

Hristov and Marcelle replaced Liddell and Redfearn respectively and Hristov moved to the top of the strikers scoring charts after he was brought on to replace Liddell when he got his second goal of the season. It came from a good through ball which for once didn't find him in an offside position. He ran on for about 20 yards then lifted it high over the advancing mercer into an empty net. Class. Marcelle even failed to impress against this level of opposition wasting a good opportunity and stopping any breakaways he got involved in.

The part-time supporters were notable by there absence in a total crowd of 8,417. I suppose its because were a big club and we have a lot of fans that travel a lot of miles and just can't make those midweek games.

Leese, Appleby(S), Moses, De Zeeuw, Krizan, Barnard, Sheridan, Redfearn(S), Tinkler, Liddell(S), Ward. Subs Used. Bullock, Hristov, Marcelle.

27th September : Barnsley 0 Leicester City 2,

Beaten by rubbish officiating and sloppy defending. All the way through until they scored I just had the feeling that we were going to get a point, sadly it wasn't to be and next to bottom we go.

One of the few things of note I can now remember form the first half of the game was the amusement of watching Liddell literally take a ride on the back of Matthew Elliot while he was sheparding a ball out of play. We had our usual bright start and all looked well as we had a bit of pressure and the crowd got behind the team too. All to no avail as we went in at the break 0-0 and I can't really recall a shot on goal or a save that Kasey Keller had to make. Leese did well at one point to make a save from one of his misplaced clearances. Nearly Beckham mark 4.

On our promotion to the Premier League I was under the impression that along with the best teams in the country there are the best officials as well. Even they are all only human I still have yet to see a really good official, they have all be conspicuous in there presence and in my view the only good official is one that you don't recognise is there because they make the right decisions.

Leicester's first goal came from a ball played down the left wing, it looked as if it would be a tussle and we would probably give away a corner. But five to ten yards out Heskey lashed out and took out our defender from the knees. Foul you would think. Naaaaaaa. The ref obviously saw what happened as he then marched across to Heskey and proceeded to give him a talking to, (Not for the first time in the game I might add) then let the corner stand. From the resulting kick Marshall stole in unattended and nodded the ball in infront of the late off his line Leese into a yawning gap in goal.

Their second goal also had the assistance of the ref, though it also had the instigation of our defence. On a ball that Heskey had no business chasing he came in late and high on the advancing Leese, nearly kneecapping him. Booking Ref. Dangerous play. Naaaaaaa. Play on. So instead of the ball being stuck on the floor to be pumped upfield Leese dropped it and knocked it right then the ball was somehow passed straight to the opposition. They ran downfield and made it into the box. Then remarkably like what happed a week ago at Everton to Hristov the ball was knocked away out of reach and the attacker was sythed down. This week a penalty, last week not.mmmm Double standards. Leese did well to save the initial penalty from Fenton but his save went straight to the former Blackburn striker who made no mistake a second time.

Liddell made way for Bullock and our throw the towel in move of sending on Marcelle for Tinkler happened again. Our best shot on goal came from the once more impressive Barnard and that was about 10 yards higher than the goal. Keller had no shot to save all game. That's not something you expect from a team who's fans sing "WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE SAY WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE"

The best bit about the whole afternoon was that I made it into the matchday programme as they printed a couple of photo's from my holiday in the USA and Canada this summer (Page 31 Entertainment USA).Yipeeee. They even put the URL in for my website. Sorry for calling us TykeNet but that was one mentioned we were going to call ourselves at the time I sent them in about 6 weeks ago.

Leese, Appleby, De Zeeuw, Moses, Krizan, Barnard, Sheridan, Tinkler(S), Redfearn, Liddell(S), Ward. Subs Used. Bullock, Marcelle.

23rd September : Wimbledon 4 Barnsley 1,

I can't believe that once again the scoreline shows that we have let four goals in. That is a flattering scoreline for Wimbledon if ever there was one. But still there it is four goals conceded.

The first surprise of the night was the number of people there. I knew Wimbledon had a small support but I didn't realise just how small it was. With five minutes to go before kickoff it looked like they would have to struggle for 3 thousand, in the end they gave the crowd at about 7,600 but where the hell were they? Have they a reverse fiddle factor here. Pretending they have more in the ground than are actually there. To carry this illusion into homes across the nation they close down the large Arthur Wait stand as this is the one with the TV gantry in it.

Another surprise was the frontline selection. Ashley Ward out with an injury so the attack consisted of Andy Liddell and Martin Bullock! One of the biggest sides in the premiership and we played our smallest strikeforce. Also on the bench for the game but not used was Morgan. His first appearance on the bench. Playing at Squad number 27. And it could be this that is one of our problems during the year. Our squad size which means we have to rely on youngsters when the going gets tough and we have a few injuries like today. Others out were. Wilkinson (Sold), Hendrie, Davis and Eaden. If it gets much worse we may have to resort to playing Regis again. aaaaaaaaahhhhhh. On the pitch but carrying injuries were Tinkler and De Zeeuw.

The first half opened with us attacking the half empty home end. Flooding the midfield with a four four two formation. This curtailed the opportunities for Wimbledon and so we came more and more into the game.Appleby hit a drive which kept low and just wide of the post and as usual Redfearn had his pot shots. Five minutes before the break we got a free kick on the corner of the Wimbledon box. Sheridan took it and knocked it in, Tinkler rose to glance in his second of the season and once again it was delierium for the travelling reds support. Could we sneak a second win of the season at a then fortress Selhurst. How wrong I was.

In the second half Wimbledon came out and put us under a bit of pressure. Won a corner and then there extra height came to the fore one the first header which Watson was able to parry but youngster Carl Cort pounced first and Wimbledon drew level.

We didn't give up though and came forward trying to get back infront. Remarkabley considering Bullock and Liddell don't at all match up to Wimbledon in stature they kept creating problems for the Don's defence all night and at one stage we won a number of corners from which Tinkler seemed to just keep reaching higher and higher always beating his man and if it wasn't him it was De Zeeuw. Brilliant, Wimbledon have one of the tallest and best teams in the air and we still seemed to match them going forward. Tinkler met one which rattled the crossbar and bound down agonisingly just a foot infront of the line. Another attempt pawed away by Sullivan who just managed to keep it out. All this done by Tinkler who had been carring a knock for most of the game.

In defence though the positioning at crosses and defensive headers need some work. Wimbledon's second goal came as 3 forwards were left all alone the first one to the ball being Robbie Earl, why couldn't he have done that when I had him in my fantasy league team a couple of years ago. Four minutes later it was 3 -1 from a brilliant drive by Ceri Hughes. Unstoppable from 25 yards.

That didn't spell the end of our challenge though and we kept trying but in vein. A lot of our momentum lost when Tinkler was replaced by Marcelle as our threat at corners disapeared. Bullock also even had a go at taking one which he didn't do too bad with. Perhaps this could be his role rather than a nuisance to the opposing keeper. Hristov came on for Liddell and by all accounts then it seemed over. Even more so when a couple of minutes later they went 4-1 up from Ekoku which could have equally been a penalty. Moses handling. Following the fourth it was a relief that they stopped there as it seemed every time they went forward they could score.

This result has left us in one of the relegation spots for the first time this season and unless we can put a few good games together for 90 minutes I think that we may not make it passed the end of the season singing "WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE SAY WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!"

Watson, Appleby, Moses, De Zeeuw, Krizan, Sheridan, Tinkler(S), Redfearn, Barnard, Bullock, Liddell(S). Subs Used Marcelle, Hristov.

22nd September : Steve Davis breaks his leg during training at York while on loan after recovering from a break of his other leg at the foot of John Spencer QPR Jan 1997.

20th September : Everton 4 Barnsley 2,

I have to start by saying that we are NOT two goals worse than the blue nose scousers. A couple of justifiably different calls by the officials and the result would have been completely different.

A bright start saw us rock Everton back into there own half and Liddell had a good shot well saved by Gerrard in the Everton goal. But as has been the case so far this season the opposition come back after our initial pressure and with there first real chance go one up. Before the game it seemed like all the talk was about how we were going to cope with the Aerial power of Duncan Ferguson. We did that well at the corner with 3 men covering. Unfortunately Everton have more than one player in there side who can score headers. Gary Speed rose well and powered the ball over Watson's head and flailing arms into the top of the goal.

Not long after Everton had another attempt, Watson saving well when 1 on 1 with Andy Hinchcliffe. We didn't accept defeat though on this occasion. We tried hard and battled away. We got a break from once again Captain Marvel Neil Redfearn. His shot from just outside the area took a looping rebound over the stranded Everton keeper and we were back level. The least we deserved.

At this point we believed we could do it. A win at a proper premiership side, and I took great delight in joining in with the chant "Howard Kendall's F****d it up again, Howard Kendall's F****d it up again." Sadly we were still singing this when Everton went up again. Big man Fergie rose above the Barnsley defence and nodded it down for full debutant Cadamarteri to keep his cool and power home a shot to the far corner past the diving Watson. The half time break couldn't come soon enough with another shot just flashing past the post from Everton.

The second half gave us renewed hope that we could get something out of the game. We wernt buried just yet. We took a blow when Ward had to walk off injured. Replaced by Hristov. We spent a ridiculous amount of time attacking with only ten men on the field but nothing came of it. In a further effort to bolster our attacking options Marcelle came on for Appleby and took over on the right side wing back role. This change played a part in sealing our fate though we didn't realise it at the time.

Barmby made a run down the left side for Everton and was tracked by Marcelle. On reaching the box he went down like a sack of spuds though any touch made didn't seem to come till he was already falling. A regular defender may have had a better chance but never mind one penalty kick later and we were 3-1 down and out of it? No possible return? Don't you believe it. You can tell Everton fans are now not used to holding onto a lead as they don't "Sing when their winning" They "Sing when there two up". They had finally found there voice.

We took the ball from the kick off and marched down the field and saw one of the most powerful shot your likely to see hit by Barnard who struck the ball home to bring us back in touch. His first goal for the club. Why couldn't we have done this five minutes earlier? I suppose that the old adage is true that you are most vulnerable just after you have scored  a goal. Silence again from the scousers.

Unfortunately we couldn't turn the pressure into another goal and Everton broke away again and tucked away a forth. They broke through a gaping hole in the centre of our defence took it passed an advancing Watson and slotted it home.

Also during the second half we had two perhaps legitimate penalty requests turned down for tackles on Hristov and a rampaging Moses. Neither went our way. I thought that the officiating was meant to be better in the Premiership. I suppose it is better if your a bigger club. I'm not looking forward to the next game run by Gerald Ashby. Is he George Cain in disguise? Or is his linesman who seemed to forget his flag during the first half. Still i suppose in 5 years time and we are the big club at home and Everton are the newly promoted first division side we might get a few decisions. But for now it is us who are just proud to sing "WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE, SAY WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE"

Watson, Appleby(S), Moses, Shirtliff, De Zeeuw, Barnard, Tinkler(S), Sheridan, Redfearn, Liddell, Ward(S). Subs Used, Hristov, Marcelle, M Bullock.

18th September : Paul Wilkinson leaves and signs for Millwall for £150,000. He is quoted as not wanting to leave but would like some first team football and is unable to get it here. A brilliant piece of business by Danny, he was an integral piece of our promotion winning side and I will always think well of the man who's goal set us on the way to the Premiership.

17th September : Chesterfield 1 Barnsley 2,

Our first come from behind victory of the season. And what a get out of Jail it was. Krizan got his first start for the club.

The wind played its part in the first half of the match. Chesterfield and it's fans were blown to the Barnsley end, helping their long ball tackticks.Eaden had an early chance but blazed it over the bar. Other than this the Chesterfield keeper was rarely troubled during the first half. Once or twice we looked in real trouble but they just couldn't put the ball away.

In the second half the Chesterfield fans made there way to behind there goal at the opposite end of the pitch. This left about four kids and bloke at our end of the side standing area. We got the customary VIALLI from these few as well. I don't think that will be forgotten about all season, but I have to say I think we played better in that game than we did in this.

We came out playing good football and helped by the wind we pushed the Spireites back. Chesterfield's goal came after 58 minutes quite against the run of play. One of their strikers did a piruet inside the six yard box near to Shirtliff and the referee bought it. Penalty. Leese couldn't keep it out,  1-0. After this they came again but couldn't build on the lead. Leese making a couple of good reaction saves.

Ten Hueval came on for Hristov, the young dutchman getting another chance to partner a largely invisible Ward upto this point. Great pressure followed as we got up for it again. We had many many corners, nothing came of them. Sheridan was guilty of wasting most with them, 3 in quick succession at one point. The best bit about the performance though was the way we never gave up. The first time this season when we have gone behind and not thrown the towel in. Was it the opposition so we believed in ourselves, was it the Wilson rocket at the weekend? Whatever it was I think the squad should try to hold onto some part of this determination as we need more of it. It was at some point around here that Appleby came on for Eaden. I'm not quite sure when but we did make the change as Appleby was on the pitch.

Our first goal came from a Penalty when Ward was pulled back inside the penalty area. It wasn't the most clear cut of penalties so perhaps the Ref was trying to make up for his earlier mistake. Redfearn greatfully accepted the chance and planted it in the top left corner. No stopping it. Then Ward took over Wilko's role of upsetting the opposition by trying to retrieve the ball for a quick restart. The Chesterfield keeper didn't want it and so it was a bit of pushing and shoving. This carried on for a bout 10-15 seconds before anyone on the pitch saw it at which point it nearly turned into a melle. The ref was to blame to a certain extent for letting it go on for so long. Neither he nor the linesman saw any of it but that didn't stop him booking both of the protagonists.

We came back again sensing a chance for victory and greatfully it was there to be had. Tinkler layed in a cross which Ward rose to making his first goal since his transfer, 7 yards out powered into the opposite corner. Crowd goes mad then breathes a big sigh of relief.

I had my first close up experience of the Ora Stand Band. It sounds good from a distance but i'm not sure I could cope with it up close all season. I think those of you close in the ORA have the patience of saints. But at the moment I think I can endure most things because "WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE SAY WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!"

Leese, Eaden(S), Shirtliff, Moses, Krizan, Sheridan, Redfearn, Tinkler, Barnard, Ward, Hristov(S). Subs Used. Ten Heuval, Appleby.

13th September : Barnsley 0 Aston Villa 3,

Not much to shout about today. Apart from Chumbawamba's Tubthumping that is. "I GET KNOCKED DOWN....." The honeymoon promotion period after promotion is over in a big way. Even the fans were a disappointment today. In fairness to them though there was nothing to stay to the end for, sing for, or really open your eyes for. With five minutes to go a good few thousand had disappeared.

Once again our twenty minute boys started well. Creating chances in the first few minutes. Ashley Ward just unable to reach a low cross from Barnard. At that point I had my fears that I was watching Regis in Disguise. Fortunately I was wrong, I think. He made some good runs with the ball  and a couple of good nod ons but didn't really trouble the Villa at all. I had the sneaking suspicion that he runs in the same style as Brenden O'Connall. Leese made a good save one on one with Dwight Yorke. There first goal came from a corner which seemed to be saved but over the line it had gone.

In the second half things got worse. We started very brightly creating some really good chances but then Villa just took the ball away and ran down field and Mark Draper put the ball underneath an advancing Leese in goal. 2-0 and the good start to the second half was over. The early pressure had done nothing. 4 goals in 6 games is telling its own story. Sheridan came on for Tinkler. Eric not playing upto scratch and caught in possession a number of times. This didn't stop the the Villa though. He helped, but not enough. With number 3 they just took us apart. Pass move, then there were two unmarked in the six yard box and low and behold it was 3-0 to the Villa.

More bad news came with what looked like a serious injury to Andy Liddell who fell over an Advertising hoarding. He was replaced by Bullock. Ten Heuval came on for Hristov. Ten Heuval was one of only two good things I can say about today's game. He looked to have some good touches. The other once again Leese looked good in goal. Making a number of good saves despite being beaten 3 times, its going to be hard for Dave to get his place back. An extra little note Krizan made an appearance on the subs bench. I'm not sure who he would replace though. Individually I don't think the defence has played terribly but as a unit they just don't seem to gel.

At least Satan Collymore didn't score, Wednesday didn't move above us in the league and I have to say "WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE SAY WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE"

Leese, Eaden, Appleby, Moses, De Zeeuw, Redfearn, Liddell(S), Tinkler(S), Hristov(S), Barnard, Ward. Subs Used. Sheridan, Bullock, Ten Heuval.

4th September :

Striker Ashley Ward signed from Derby County for 1.3 Million. Rising to 1.5 Million when!!! we stay up. Derby will also receive 20% of any future transfer fee.

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