Back from the game Barnsley

[UpNorth]

A tale of two halves if ever there was one.

We were pants in the first half - slow and seemingly unable to string two passes together.

But come half time Brian worked his magic - we hit them with two quick goals by playing the ball on the deck. Game over.

Barnsley were poor and I can only recall one catch by Federici - the other shots all sailed wide.

Special mention to Karacan who came out for the second half a new man and really pushed forward. His second was a beauty.

Roberts was a class above the other forwards. He brought the ball down and kept it - even setting up some great passes.

A great second half although the chants of top of the league proved premature.

[The Rouge]

How did Mullins and Kebe play?

[LoyalRoyal22]

Just back myself.. Mullins was tidy and no-nonense, bit like Connolly. Kebe was quiet, but did ok. Karacan`s 25 yarder will probably get goal of the season. 4-0 fair reflection off the game

[MmmMonsterMunch]

How did Mullins and Kebe play?

I'm waiting for the latest Rouge-o-meter. Sort it out sharpish!

[NR_Royal]

Summary:

First half was terrrible, we were on top but didn't create much.

Second half we looked like a different team, attacking and dominating, Karacan was immense.

Mullins looked solid, Kebe was pretty good.

Ratings:

Feds 7 - Didn't need to do much
Mullins 7 - Solid, did well, nothing spectacular
Pearce 7 - Looked top quality as ever
Gorkks 8 - Great performance
Harte 7 - Not as effective as at Donny but good
Kebe 8 - Looked creative, made runs, good show
Karacan 9 - Two good goals, screamer was epic
Leigertwood 8 - Very good, bossed the midfield
McAnuff 7 - Shaky start, but came good. Don't think he should start
Roberts 8 - Dangerous
Hunt 8 - Looks faster than he ever has done, caused trouble

HRK 6 - Didn't do a lot right but the game was already won

[Tails]

Southampton, its coming for you

[RobRoyal]

Ageeed with the above assessments. A lack of creativity and accuracy in our final-third passing cost us in the first half, though we were the better side and could have gone ahead. We were superb in the second half. The early goal gave us an injection of confidence and Barnsley couldn't handle us. Leigertwood and McAnuff still playing way below their best, and Kebe didn't quite get going, but we still blew Barnsley off the park. Roberts' hold-up play in the second half was exemplary, really glad he got a deserved goal. Karacan's goal was a real beauty. The centre-backs were damn near faultless again and we just didn't look like conceding. Mullins ok first half, solid defensively but a bit sloppy second half - by which time it didn’t mattter.

What a great day out. 14 wins out of 17 and we're still improving. Wouldn't swap our squad for anyone else's in the league right now.

[Bedale Royal]

Pretty much as already stated. Not great 1st half, but we finished it the stronger. 2nd half though we hit them cold, and they never looked like getting back after that. Then Jem scored his second, and what a cracker. Roberts as again stated earlier held the ball up well, and got his reward. Mullins did ok, Feds had nothing to do apart from a comical moment when Tabb's back pass put him under pressure. Legs did look tired at times it must be said. Hunt is looking a much better player recently and had a good game. In the end, comfortable.

[The Prisoner]

I didn't think we were too bad in the first half. We certainly had more cutting edge in the second half, but we still had a one-on-one in the first minute, had a couple of other chances and never looked in any danger.

There was really only one side and it, and I don't remember a Barnsley chance of note. As comfortable and professional performance as you'll see, and it could've been 6, 7 or 8-0

McAnuff or Jem for MOTM. Honourable mentions for the defence, and the Hunt-Roberts partnership works well. Solid debut for Mullins.

All in all an excellent day, and even got to see a helicopter winch rescue going over Woodhead pass on the way!

[Ian Royal]

McAnuff. Don't think he should start

[FiNeRaIn]

Great to see karacan back up his work rate with some good attackign contributions, been critical of him in the past for receiving too much praise but sounds as if a large part of that win was due to him. Well played.

[urz13]

Currently on the coach back.
First half was poor but we were far better than them. Second half we ripped them apart and it could've been 5 or 6.

Feds - 7 did nothing
Mullins - 7 a bit shaky but a decent debut
Gorkks/Pearce - 8. S O L I D
Harte - 7 did fine.
Kebe - 8 good runs, good balls in, good game
Karacan - 9 was superb second half, 2 goals, one of them a belter, excellent
Leigertwood - 8 sloppy at times but awesome at times too. Seems to have a better creative eye for a pass now. Could've scored three or four times
McAnuff - 8 didn't do much but a good finish
Hunt - 8 another great game, causes havoc
Roberts - 9 superb, didn't really give it away once, well taken goal.

HRK - 7 one decent header
Church - 6 don't remember him getting many touches
Tabb - 7 'he's here, he's there' etc.

[winchester_royal]

First 20 minutes of the 2nd half we were scarily good, if we continue to have that sort of gear change for the rest of the season then we're up.

Special mention to Jason Roberts who was outstanding today, best performance from a striker this season, and the Gorkss/Pearce partnership which was as solid as ever.

Was mightily pissed off about Southampton's late goals, but to get back and be greeted with the news of Muamba puts it all in perspective.

[The Prisoner]

First 20 minutes of the 2nd half we were scarily good, if we continue to have that sort of gear change for the rest of the season then we're up.

Special mention to Jason Roberts who was outstanding today, best performance from a striker this season, and the Gorkss/Pearce partnership which was as solid as ever.

Was mightily pissed off about Southampton's late goals, but to get back and be greeted with the news of Muamba puts it all in perspective.

Agree on Muamba totally. Listening on the radio now. Puts it all into perspective and hope he pulls through.

[robinsfriday]

First 20 minutes of the 2nd half we were scarily good, if we continue to have that sort of gear change for the rest of the season then we're up.

Special mention to Jason Roberts who was outstanding today, best performance from a striker this season, and the Gorkss/Pearce partnership which was as solid as ever.

Was mightily pissed off about Southampton's late goals, but to get back and be greeted with the news of Muamba puts it all in perspective.

Agree on Muamba totally. Listening on the radio now. Puts it all into perspective and hope he pulls through.

Agree. With all the banter on here it means nothing right now.

[PieEater]

Forget about Soton, we should conceed the title and concentrate on the hammer bottling it then losing the playoffs. Second will do us nicely.

Pleased for Jem with his goals, Brians doing a great job motivating central midfield, they know Mullins is waiting to take their place.

[pearcetom]

Just seen the goals on sky sports news. Brendywendy going mental when we score the first goal = priceless!!

[M-U-R-T-Y]

Just seen the goals on sky sports news. Brendywendy going mental when we score the first goal = priceless!!

Haha, didn't realise it was a nobber but the mental bloke hugging McAnuff made me laugh!

[Ian Royal]

Can't believe I didn't recognise him after all the photos on here.

[RobRoyal]

Just seen the goals on sky sports news. Brendywendy going mental when we score the first goal = priceless!!

Haha, didn't realise it was a nobber but the mental bloke hugging McAnuff made me laugh!

No way! Saw this from my position at the back. Nice one brendy you big mentalist!