March 2010
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A string of fine saves from David Stockdale earned Plymouth a point, Daniel Bogdanovic and Iain Hume, twice, denied in one-on-one situations to prevent victory for the Reds.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Mark Robins commented on an entertaining but goaless return to Home Park:

"We could have won the game fairly comfortably. I think it was a game where we have not taken our chances. We created good ones.

"They hit the bar and the post, we hit bar in the first half and had countless one-on-ones and it's just a mixture of bad decision-making and decent keeping.

"But we have got a point and at least now we are in the 50s."

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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Barnsley finally get their chance to return to Home Park and put to right the match which was abandoned on 58 minutes on 28th November 2010 with Reds leading 1-4.

At the time, MR critisised the referee Gavin Ward saying:

"I don't think he (the referee) would have made the same decision if the score was the other way around.

"We should see if the referee will reimburse our supporters because coming here will have cost them an absolute fortune".

Last year, this was the fixture which guaranteed Barnsley's survival and the demise of Norwich City. This year, victory at Home Park would see the Reds reach 52 points, before March expires and may lead to a mid-table finish as the season comes to a close.

Goals from Adam Hammill and JCR, either side of half-time, ensured victory for the Reds on that occasion and Simon Davey was able to breath a sigh of relief - if only for a temporary period.

Overall in the league, the record states:

Plymouth Wins (27) | Draws (16) | Barnsley (16)


Had the result from November stood, this would have been Barnsley's biggest victory margin over Plymouth ever.

Can lightening strike twice? Maybe not, but hopefully the previous deluge wont.

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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Overall, it was a disappointing day for the Reds and a frustrating one for the supporting faithful. Almost everybody questioned the tactic of playing 4-5-1 at home and this perhaps was the beginning of our downfall on Saturday.

Although the midfield was packed, it was Doncaster who dictated the flow of the game in the first half.

On 29 minutes, Filipe Teixeira was withdrawn and replaced by Bogy, perhaps due to injury rather than tactics and the Barnsley Top Scorer continued to hold the formation together that they had started with.

James Coppinger duly converted Donny's advantage by curling home from the edge of the area on 35 minuted.

By half time, The Ponty End was groaning and there were some boos ringing out as Barnsley departed from the field.

The second half was an improvement. The formation adjusted to a more traditional shape of 4-4-2. Statistically the Reds were proven to be the more dominant team, but the frustration remained, unable to convert anything from a number of opportunities they created.

Although possession was even between the two, Barnsley had eight chances on target versus a miserly two from Donny. But the result was fair. Perhaps a draw might have been fairer.

Even in defeat there were some highlight performances. Jacob Butterfield replaced Doyle and provided a further glimpse that this lad will have an important part and future at Barnsley FC. Luke Potter benefited from the influence of Darren Moore and like Butterfield continues to look promising. MOTM, Adam Hammill had a determined display also, probably the best 90 minutes he's had for months.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Mark Robins said:

"Disappointing, it's a poor defeat. We created one or two decent chances and really, we should have had a draw today.

"One or two think the job's done and that's not good enough for me or the supporters.

"We have to make sure we are better mentally than that and stronger than that for the rest of the season."

The league encounters over history are no longer balanced. Donny now have the superior record:

Barnsley Wins (21) | Draws (17) | Doncaster Wins (22)

On this level, perhaps the outcomes of local derby matches do not register with the players at this time of the season, but I take heart from the words of MR.

I am convinced that there are numerous player exits planned and that come 2010 / 2011, MR will have a side that is far more representative of his beliefs, style and output.

As it is, the season will inevitably now peter out.

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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A tantalising local derby is being served up next as Mark Robins' Barnsley face an old foe in the shape of Doncaster Rovers.

When the sides first met in 1901, Barnsley ran out winners away from home 0-1, with the return also providing victory for the Reds at Oakwell 3-0.

Back in October 2009, Barnsley were victorious in that encounter 0-1. Let's just hope that history might just repeat the performance of 1901/1902 in the reverse fixture too.

Last time out at Oakwell, just over 15,000 attended the match to see Barnsley stun Doncaster Rovers 4-1, after trailing 0-1 and the dismissal of Darren Moore, on 49 minutes, for a second bookable offence.

Goals came from captain Steve Foster, JCR, Macken and Hume, but perhaps the match will be best remembered for JCR's "Maradonna-esque" solo effort, which epitomised the Reds' determined spirit in spite of playing with just ten men.



In the league, the sides are evenly matched:

Barnsley 21 | Draws 17 | Doncaster Rovers 21


Our opponents, Doncaster Rovers presently sit in 10th position, having won just 5 in 19 outings away from the Keepmoat. However, be wary Reds fans, they've scored more goals (25) in away fixtures than we have managed at Oakwell (23). It promises to be a cracker!

Come On You Reds!

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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Bristol City 5 - 3 Barnsley

Last night the Reds seemingly matched Bristol in almost every statistic, apart from attempts on target. Bristol City converted their advantage to put in a five star performance in front of their own fans at Ashton Gate.

Away from home, we scored three times and lost. Personally, I'm disappointed when Barnsley are defeated in any game, as unrealistic as that may be, but apparently there are reasons to be cheerful, according to the gaffer, Mark Robins.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said:

"It was a cracking open game between two sides who wanted to attack and we kept going to the end.

"There was no faulting the effort of the players and if we continue like that we will pick up better results.

"I'm just disappointed we couldn't hang in there after going 2-1 up. We couldn't handle their pace up front and conceded some poor goals."

It's Donny next in probably the tastiest local derby we might see this year. Let's hope we keep our shooting boots on!

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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Over the last eight years, the average points tally for sixth spot has been around 74 points (2001-2009). Of course, this makes any further dreams we may have for Barnsley FC this season highly improbable, but a top half finish would be a marked improvement on the Davey era.

On the 9th September 2009 Mark Robins et al swept in to Oakwell. What has been achieved in such a short space of time has been nothing short of a footballing miracle.

Maybe now the lads can play without any pressure and lets see where it takes us?

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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A pretty resounding verdict from those voters favouring a home win for Bristol City.

"Jekyll and Hyde" Barnsley arrive at Ashton Gate in a perfect position to improve their own circumstances and make a rise back up the Championship table.

With Coventry not playing until tomorrow, where they will be away at West Brom, all eyes will be on the remaining two fixtures of importance.

Middlesbrough take on Preston North End tonight. Would it be fair to say that a draw between the two would be the ideal result for the Oakwell faithful?

Blackpool face visitors Swansea City, a very competitive side away from their own turf. On account of their superior away record in comparison to league leaders Newcastle United, The Tangerines will have their hands full.




Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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With just over 9 hours to go until kick-off, the latest poll on this site suggests that opinion is backing Bristol City for victory at Ashton Gate this evening.

Perhaps you fellow Reds fans have lost your confidence following the dismal performance on Saturday? We will turn it around.

Barnsley have a mere 27% of the votes to pick up a win away from Oakwell, compared to a massive 60% supporting victory for The Robins at home. Just 7% reckon it's going to be a a score draw between the two sides, with a similar 7% expecting a "snore-draw", 0-0 outcome, between the two sides.

Bobby Hassell looks like he will included in the starting line-up against Bristol City despite injuring his wrist at Ipswich on Saturday.

Both Rob Kozluk and Adam Hammill are expected to return shortly and could be in contention for this weekend's game; however, both are unlikely to be ready in time for the game tonight's game.

Come On You Reds!
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Next up for Robins' Reds are the Robins of Bristol City.

You would have to go back to October 1993 since Barnsley last had victory in the league at Ashton Gate, courtesy of a 0-2 victory and goals from Ian Bryson and the one and only Neil Redfearn.

Bryson only had a brief career at Barnsley, joining in August 1993 from Sheffield United for a fee of just £20k before leaving in late November of the same year to join Preston North End for more than double (£42.5k) the money the Reds had paid for him.

In the league, overall the record states:

Bristol City 37 | Draws 16 | Barnsley 26


Last time out just over 11,300 attended Oakwell to see Barnsley lose 2-3 to Bristol. On that occasion Bogdanovic and Hammill bagged for Barnsley in the second half, in an attempt to make up the half-time deficit of being two goals behind. Ryan Shotton received a red card on 74 minutes, giving Bristol City the decisive penalty to ensure all three points went down to the South West with them.

Our opponents, Bristol City are in 16th, but hold a steady home record with 7 wins, 9 draws and only 3 losses that came at the hands of Sheffield United, Cardiff City and Doncaster Rovers. This fixture follows their very creditable 2-2 draw with league leaders Newcastle United.
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Barnsley have had an ineffective afternoon at Portman Road, managing to get just two attempts on target throughout the match.

Before the game it was reported that the Reds have had 184 shots on target in Championship matches this season, with only struggling Plymouth with fewer. Today was a further demonstration of some of the reasons why Barnsley can not beat those sides sitting lower than us in this year's league.

The earlier poll, on this site, showed that Barnsley had the popular opinion (48%) for an away win, perhaps on the back of Tuesday's performance against Forest. That confidence did not appear to be mirrored by the lads that stepped over the white line today.

No doubt Mark Robins will be disappointed with the outcome, however he delayed his substitutions until very late in the game when finally on 71 minutes Hume replaced Jon Macken, with RNL also appearing as a sub for Hallfedson for 73 minutes. Butterfield also replaced Doyle, but this shuffle of the pack changed nothing. The writing had been on the wall since the first half.

Mostly the fans who paid £31 for tickets to todays game will be glum, on the back of this tooth-less display at Portman Road. The Reds now look as though any hope of reaching the top six has now all but disaappeared.

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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Three points on the road for the Reds today would be marvellous. With all the sides above Barnsley facing tough fixtures, what will the outcome today be and where will we be sitting in the Championship table come full-time?

Donny take on Sheffield United, Blackpool face Palace, Leicester are at home to Coventry, whilst Middlesborough have a tough fixture against a visiting Reading.

Top Ten anybody? Come on You Reds!


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With just under 2 hours to go until kick-off, the poll remains in Barnsley's favour for an away win this afternoon at Portman Road.

Latest Result:

Ipswich Town - 35%
Barnsley - 50%
Score Draw - 12%
No Score Draw - 4%


Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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With just under 46 hours to go until kick-off, the latest poll on this site suggests that opinion is backing Barnsley for an away win.

Barnsley have 52% of the votes for a win, compared to just 38% supporting victory for the Tractor Boys at home. The remaining 10% reckon it's going to be a a score draw between the two sides this Saturday.

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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Next up for the Reds in their challenge for a Play-Off place are the Tractor Boys.

Barnsley haven't tasted League victory at Portman Road since 1998/99, when the Reds recorded a 2-0 win. This came courtesy of goals by Sean McClare and Michael Turner the Barnsley substitite and debutant who, until two weeks previously, played for Bilston Town in the Midlands Division of the Doctor Marten's League

Overall the record states:

Ipswich Town 18 | Draws 4 | Barnsley 12


Last time out just over 12,000 attended Oakwell to see Barnsley triumph 2-1 over Ipswich Town with Hume and Macken bagging for the Reds. Macken snatching a late winner on 90 minutes.

Ipswich Town are currently in 17th spot in the Championship but have only lost at home on two occasions this season by way of defeats to Crystal Palace and Newcastle United. They appear to be a strong proposition on home soil.

Adam Hammill is already a doubt. The winger sustained a hamstring injury in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest and will continue to be assessed by the club. Meanwhile, Mark Robins is waiting on a report from a specialist before learning the full extent of Carl Dickinson's knee injury.

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
As a Barnsley fan that had to grow up Down South (Basildon of all places) and now in the sun in Oz it has been great seeing how we have gone this season.

The old man is a Barnsley Boy from way back and is well happy with the way the lads are getting on. Love The Reds!!! It's Just Like Watching Brazil !!!!!!!

From, Chris in Oz

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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Ah well Forest. Steele was indeed fouled and for the majority of the game you were restricted to very few chances; which almost always came from a a big punt from your back four. Desperate.

For vast periods, Barnsley were strong yesterday evening. We closed Forest down effectively and at times could have increased the margin further, but for our own errors and some good keeping from Camp.

Daniel Bogdanovic scored twice to deal yet another blow to Nottingham Forest's automatic promotion hopes as they suffered a sixth successive Championship away defeat, losing 2-1 to the Reds.

Billy Davies bemoaned the Winter Transfer Window inactivity at the City Ground: "Whatever happened in January was entirely up to the owners of the club. All I could do was recommend and advise and unfortunately things never happened.

"But as a manager I will always do the best I can with what I've got and between now and the end of the season I will work as hard as I can to continue to keep this young team and stay bright, happy and bubbly and positive."

Hard lines to the 69%. You were wrong !!

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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So there you have it. A very confident response then from the opposition's fans indeed.

Well hopefully, if the auto-post function has worked successfully, you can now see the result via this site and it's syndicating partners. I should be On The Ponty End and it's now down to the real business.

With Dickinson and potentially Doyle out, how will Mark Robins shuffle the pack? Can Barnsley fell the Forest? Let's hope so.

Come On You Reds !!


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With just under seven hours to go until kick-off, the latest poll on this site suggests that opinion is strongly backing Forest for an away win.

Nottingham Forest so far have 74% of the votes for a win, compared to just 18% supporting victory for the Reds at home. The remaining 9% reckon it's going to be a a score draw between the two sides this evening.

To grab your opportunity to vote > CLICK HERE
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Forest arrive to Oakwell on the back of five away defeats in a row including games against Preston, Leicester, Doncaster, Coventry and Derby.

Barnsley defender Carl Dickinson is doubtful for the clash, but goalkeeper Luke Steel is available following suspension.

Forest Boss Billy Davies, already likely to be without captain Paul McKenna for the remainder of the season due to knee ligament damage, has revealed defender James Perch and forward Garath McCleary are fighting injuries that could also end their campaigns.




Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments > HERE
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According to today's media, Palace keeper Julian Speroni performed heroics in the Palace goal to keep a clean sheet.

From my viewpoint, it was a day of wasted opportunities for Barnsley, one that could have seen us win by three or four on any other day.

Just five minutes in, Adam Hamill's cross from the right found Filipe Teixeira but he chipped the ball over from eight yards.

Two minutes later Hamill hit a right foot shot from the edge of the area over.

One of the better chances came when Daniel Bogdanovic beat the Palace offside trap and raced 20 yards into their area. He tried to place the ball past Julian Speroni but the keeper caught it.

Minutes later, Bogdanovic was again denied by the keeper when his shot from the edge of the area was palmed round the post.

In the second half, Teixeira also missed a good chance, choosing to shoot crossed ball with his left foot wide of the upright, when from my view a right boot would have placed the ball easily past Speroni. Ryan Shotton saw a header saved.

Paul Hart said: "I thought (Speroni) was excellent. Week after week he goes about his job; I think he is a terrific goalkeeper.

Mark Robins said: "Crystal Palace came and did a job and I thought their keeper was excellent and kept them in the game."

Barnsley FC Fans, add your comments HERE >
On The Ponty End has launched it's new look site and is inviting all Barnsley Fans to submit their very own articles for publication here and over our syndication partners NewsNow and OmniBlog.

Following todays match versus Crystal Palace, what will your views be?

In your opinion, will Barnsley be stepping ever closer to the Play-Offs or will Mr Hart have pissed on your chips?

If you have some interesting news, or want to see your point of view published here, please send us any relevant information via the "Submit Your Article" link on the site menu.

On The Ponty End values submissions from all Barnsley FC fans. Humour, Match Reports, Opinion and Transfer Rumours are particularly welcome.
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This Saturday, former Reds boss Paul Hart returns with his new charges, Crystal Palace, for his first competitive game against Barnsley since his departure in May 2005.

We take a look back at the Hart era..

  • He brought Andy Ritchie to Oakwell as his number 2. Without which, would we ever have achieved promotion from League One, just a single season after he left?
  • Paul Hart was responsible for bringing "Sir Bobby" Hassell to the Reds. The most cultured right back not to be linked with an England place in South Africa. Could "Our Bobby" be the next Bobby to lift the World Cup?
  • Millennium Stadium hero, Nick Colgan arrived under Mr Hart's tenure. Would Barnsley ever have won the play-off shoot-out otherwise?
  • Without Hart would the Ponty End ever have started chanting, "One Greedy B*****d, there's only One Greedy B*****d"? Sorry, that honour would go to one Mr Stephen MacPhail.
  • Now then Michale Chopra. What else can you say. Mr Hart must take full credit for this capture on a season long loan.
  • Tony Vaughan anyone? (Looking down at shoes..) unfortunately that was Mr Hart. Matt Carbon? Sorry, yes he was responsible for this signing as well.
  • Swansea City's Garry Monk revealed his treatment from Barnsley boss Paul Hart was the spur he needed to enjoy the good life in Wales, according to the Western Mail in November 2004. Five and half years later, he's still there. Just what did you say Paul?
  • Bradford City 1 - 0 Barnsley
  • Sheffield Wednesday 2 - 1 Barnsley
  • Doncaster Rovers 4 - 0 Barnsley; Barnsley 1 - Doncaster Rovers 3 (For F****'s Sake !!!)
  • But... Huddersfield Town 0 - 2 Barnsley; Barnsley 4 - 2 Huddersfield Town
In the end, Mr Hart guided the Reds to 13th position in the league before agreeing to leave by mutual consent on the 13th May 2005.

Mr Hart?

Come Saturday, will the Red Army answer?