Barnsley - Nottingham Forest

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Interesting that the bloke who covers Barnsley for the Yorkshire Post said that we were a very good side and the best team to visit Oakwell this season.

[stirred]

Far be it for me to criticise CH, but there are a couple of things I don't understand about yesterdays squad, especially the bench.

Why didn't he have Will Swan and Alex Mighten on the bench? Lacking in experience maybe, but two very fast and skilful players who would be perfect to bring on for the last 20 minutes against a tiring defence.

If they played in an U23's match a couple of days ago, so what? Having a striker of any description is better than none at all. And I rate Mighten so much better than Freeman is giving us right now! They are both young fit lads, they could play a match every other day without it affecting them too much! To bring them on for 20 or so minutes would give them a bit more experience and maturity to their game as well as add impetuous to the side.

I sincerely hope CH isn't the kind of manager to turn his back on youth in favour of the older and more experienced players (even if they aren't as good)

I had a look at the website yday and no U23’s games have happened since the international break - next one is tomorrow according to that, so no reason to not have someone on the bench is it?

[Madforit]

Interesting that the bloke who covers Barnsley for the Yorkshire Post said that we were a very good side and the best team to visit Oakwell this season.

And yet came away from Oakwell with nothing to show for it

[stirred]

Interesting that the bloke who covers Barnsley for the Yorkshire Post said that we were a very good side and the best team to visit Oakwell this season.

Can’t remember who was covering it for Sky but they said we were playing really well...
which is why the lack of subs argument comes in. They made them, we didn’t, and again a club with a weaker squad than ours manages that squad to out-do us.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

We hadn't played for two weeks (ecxept for Christie and Mckenna).

Surely we weren't tired. I think we are using this sub thing for an excuse. It's one of those things, If CH had made 4 subs at 0-0 and then we lost the game everyone would have said why did he change it and bring the subs on.

[stirred]

In any individual match subs may work out or not, cos nothing is guaranteed, but since Hughton took over I’d say the oppositions have gained the upper hand by tactical / sub changes, and we’ve largely been playing weaker sides. It doesn’t bode well when we go against the better sides who have more strength in depth and probably better coaches.

Yesterday they’d had an (international) break yes, but a sub has more energy than someone who’s been running for an hour or more. We’ve seen the massive increase in injuries this season, hence the change to 5 subs. If we play players for 90 minutes 3 times in a week we’re making it more likely we pick up injuries, which reduces our squad depth...which means we have less options on the bench so we leave players on for 90 mins so they’re more likely to get injured...it will all catch up with us as the season goes on. This season more than ever how clubs use their squad and subs is going to be critical.

[Alf]

We were getting carved open before Hughton made the subs. All that happened is Barnsley found their cutting edge late on in the game.

Not saying the subs were right wrong, too early/late, but the bigger problem for me is sticking a manager with a squad built for another manager. Again.

[Sabricadabra]

We hadn't played for two weeks (ecxept for Christie and Mckenna).

Surely we weren't tired. I think we are using this sub thing for an excuse. It's one of those things, If CH had made 4 subs at 0-0 and then we lost the game everyone would have said why did he change it and bring the subs on.

It isn’t about them being tired Sniff, but if one team can change nearly half it’s personnel with fresh legs then it will give them a physical edge against players who’ve been running for an hour or so.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Forest take their chances. Barnie are done.

Barnie have a lot of vigor. You have to match it or you're in trouble.

That's the Championship for you.

Forest are still in fitness catch up. But they are getting there.

Hughton is managing Sabri's Squad. But it's a good squad.

There is no quick fix for this. It's the price of progress.

SA.

[Strawberry Avenger]

It's not the 1st time Forest have been done by fresh legs over the last few seasons.

Last minute goals have been a pattern.

It's a problem that needs addressing.

SA.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

So we lost because Barnsley brought on fresh legs and we didn't?

What about all the times we have lost after bringing on fresh legs and the opposition didn't?

I am sorry but I am not buying that.

[Alf Garnett]

So we lost because Barnsley brought on fresh legs and we didn't?

What about all the times we have lost after bringing on fresh legs and the opposition didn't?

I am sorry but I am not buying that.

I agree it's an easy excuse to use. 
We lost because we failed to take our chances when we were bossing the game.