Defeat Again: Whose Fault?

Is this the Carlisle United defeat of last season? Will tonight be the turning point? Probably not. I thought that was supposed to have been West Brom the other week? Sorry if this is a downbeat match report (and will probably be more opinionated than factual) but I’m sick to death of coming so close, but to lose the grasp through error or bad luck.

The Seasiders fought hard, but eventually lost 2-1 against a very good Barnsley team, who SPEND MONEY.

The Blackpool team who were sent to the lions:
Rachubka
Barker – Jackson © – Gorkss – Coid
GTF – Southern – Fox – Hoolahan
Parker – Morrell

Backed by a healthy (and noisy) following from Blackpool, Simon Grayson’s men took the game to The Tykes in the first 20 minutes, but lacked that extra bit of cutting edge, and Barnsley withstood it professionally.

After this initial surge of tangerine pressure, the home side somehow managed to win a penalty as right back Shaun Barker wins the award for ‘stupid of the week’ when he clattered into Devaney (as Shaun was running away from the play!), with the referee pointed to the spot. However, referee Taylor got the decision wrong, as the offence took place outside the box. Brian Howard doesn’t miss penalties, and tonight was no different. His spot kick was hit firmly and right in the corner to give Simon Davey`s team the lead, against the run of play.

Captain Michael Jackson was yellow carded for a lunge on the halfway line, and Danny Coid could have conceded two penalties as balls struck his hands, with the referee probably getting those decisions wrong as well in not awarding spot kicks.

We were badly missing a create midfield player in the middle of the park. David Fox is not what we need. He invariably passes from side to side, and when he does join the attack he leaves himself exposed and great holes in the midfield as his positioning is all wrong. I`ve no doubt that he’ll become a decent player, but now is not the time to learn his trade.

As we went in for half time at 1-0, I remarked that we could quite easily get back into the game, if we utilised Wes more, who was already playing brilliantly.

Well, when your captain behaves like a schoolboy, the task becomes steeper! Just seven minutes into the second period, Jackson flew (not a lunge, he flew!) at Howard, and caught him, nowhere near the ball and he was lucky to get away with just a second booking and not a straight red. His continuous fouling is hampering us, and as I’ve said all along, he isn’t good enough.

Straight after the sending off, Barnsley scored. A freekick was whipped in (just as Claus Jorgensen was settling into a wall after being brought on; a silly time to make a substitution) and Ferencz headed home on 70 minutes, with help from GTF’s shoulder past Rabs, who might feel he could have saved the effort.

Before the goal though, we should have had a penalty, but the referee completely bottled it. Wes Hoolahan was excellently put in the clear by Parker (who played really well tonight – keep it up Keigan!) and was mauled to the ground by Muller in goal with two feet, but Taylor raised his right hand for a corner instead of a spot kick: an unbelievable decision.

So, at 2-0, game over? No, not quite. Muller in the Baaaaaaaaaarnsley goal flapped at a corner, and presented Keith Southern with a gift and he hit home to reduce the deficit. 2-1, and game on.

John Hills was brought on just before that, as The Seasiders shuffled the pack, and he did fairly well at left back.

We kept pressing and pressing, and the introduction of Jorgi meant we had more drive in midfield, but we still lacked an out and out winger. A certain Andy Welsh was sat on the bench, an unused sub. Absolutely criminal that is in my opinion. The manager is showing his naivety with his subs on a regular basis, and it won’t be long before fans get on his back, which is inevitable if we keep failing to win.

Scott Vernon had a glorious chance at the end, but his header was saved low down, and with a bit of luck Parker’s dipping shot would have sailed in with ten minutes remaining.

Man of the match Hoolahan tried his best, but couldn’t find a way through and it ended 2-1, but it was a good effort by the players when they went to ten men; if only they;d played like that beforehand.

The problem doesn’t lie at Grayson’s door does it? It lies at the Oyston’s. We need a striker, and quick; that was clearly evident tonight. We also need defenders now, with Jacko’s sending off and Matt Jackson’s recall to Watford. Infact, we need a goalkeeper, centre halve, a midfielder and a striker. Over a third of a team. It could be a long hard winter, and with refereeing performances like tonight, it certainly will be.

The pressure is getting to us though, which is’`t a good sign. Larry and Wes’ interviews to SKY showed emotion, which whilst is good to see they’re dying for the cause, also shows weakness to Saturday’s opposition Scunthorpe United?