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Barnsley 4 Doncaster Rovers 1: Stunning fightback is enough to save Davey from axe at Oakwell
SIMON DAVEY refused to talk to the press after one of the most dramatic afternoons that Barnsley has witnessed in years.
His silence, however, was more than understandable after a game that will surely have put his emotions through the ringer.
At one point, the P45 looked to be on the table. His side were losing 1-0, playing poorly, and had just been reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of defender Darren Moore.
Chants of "We want Davey out" were raining down from the stands and Barnsley's manager looked a beaten man.
Once again, local rivals Doncaster Rovers were on the way to a victory that would have extended their unbeaten record in this fixture to 29 years.
Yet from the depths of despair, Davey conjured a revival that unquestionably saved his job.
His side fought back and scored four goals. His decision to play on with only three defenders rather than sacrifice a player in attack was the catalyst. A flash of inspiration? A tactical masterstroke? Who knows? Whatever way you want to look at it, the result speaks louder than Davey's post-match silence.
Without Moore's professional foul on striker Lewis Guy at the start of the second half, Barnsley might have been 2-0 down but five minutes after the burly defender trudged down the tunnel, the game was turning on its head.
Stephen Foster's close-range header put Barnsley back on level terms before Jamal Campbell-Ryce waltzed past two defenders and put the home side ahead.
Davey barely moved after the first but managed a wry smile towards the directors' box after the second.
As Rovers collapsed, Barnsley substitute Jon Macken tapped in number three and raced over to the dug-out to give his manager a pat on the back.
When Iain Hume lashed in the fourth, with four minutes to go, the game had booked a place in Oakwell folklore.
The late introduction of substitute Reuben Noble-Lazarus, already the youngest player in Football League history after his midweek appearance at Ipswich, completed the celebrations.
At the final whistle, Barnsley's supporters gave their team a standing ovation. There was no salute, however, for Davey who waved briefly to the club's owner, Patrick Cryne, before heading straight for the dressing rooms. A two-year battle to win over Barnsley's fans is far from over for the club's former Academy coach, but winger Campbell-Ryce says criticism of his managerial ability is unwarranted.
Just six months ago, Davey led the Tykes out at Wembley in an FA Cup semi-final after victories over two of Europe's biggest clubs in Liverpool and Chelsea.
Campbell-Ryce said: "Everyone at the club is under pressure and the gaffer has taken some unfair stick. We had a great season last year, without even mentioning the FA Cup.
"We are only 10 games in but people have been on his back. We have answered the critics and, hopefully, we can kick-start our season from here."
Assistant manager Ryan Kidd stood at the post-match press conference and pulled no punches.
"We desperately needed that win. People were talking it up as 'D-Day' and stuff like that and – after 45 minutes and the sending off at the start of the second half – I don't think anybody would have predicted that.
"It just goes to show what great team spirit we have and I can't speak highly enough of the lads.
"The gaffer also needs a big pat on the back," he said. "When you have a defender sent off, you automatically think 'let's get back to a back four' but the gaffer said 'no, we'll stick with a back three, we'll bide our time.' Things were going against us but I think the fans can see that those players are behind us.
"We just needed a bit of belief or luck to go our way. Whether it was the sending off, or whatever it may be, it gave us an extra lift and the fans could see those players playing with a little bit of pride, a bit of determination, and playing for the club, the manager, themselves.
"We can now win four or five games on the spin and take ourselves up to mid-table," he added.
As for Rovers, this was a sixth consecutive defeat and their worst 45 minutes since winning promotion last season.
Before the interval, they had looked the better side and should definitely have had more than Brian Stock's 11th-minute penalty to show for their efforts.
Manager Sean O'Driscoll needs to act fast to stop the rot and his biggest problem is the lack of cutting edge in attack. With a two-week break before the next game, expect Rovers to swoop for a new striker. If they don't, it will be a long old season.
Barnsley: Muller; Foster, Moore, Souza, Kozluk; Campbell-Ryce, Leon (Hassell 61), Anderson, Devaney; Rigters (Macken 72), Hume (Noble-Lazarus 86). Unused substitutes: Steele, Odejayi.
Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; O'Connor, Lockwood, Mills, Roberts; Stock; Woods (Hayter 77), Wellens; Coppinger; Taylor (Byfield 75), Guy. Unused substitutes: Wilson, Chambers, Hird.
Referee: S Tanner (Bristol).Big-match talking points
Beforehand, everyone was asking if Barnsley's manager was going to lose his job? How come no-one is saying the same now about Doncaster's Sean O'Driscoll?
It would be a crime for Rovers to even consider sacking O'Driscoll after he steered the club back to the Championship for the first time in 50 years. Barnsley's expectation levels are higher due to their flirtation with the Premier League a decade ago and last season's success in the FA Cup.
So what does O'Driscoll need to do to end a depressing sequence of six consecutive defeats.
Most importantly, he doesn't need to panic. Rovers have been playing attractive football and creating chances. What he does need to do is address the club's chronic shortage of goals and that means signing a new striker on loan during the international break.
And what do we think of his existing options?
Unfortunately, they just don't look sharp enough at this level. The biggest mystery is the continued absence of crowd favourite Paul Heffernan. Over the last few years, Heffernan has demonstrated an eye for a finish and developed a proven track record as a goalscorer. He surely warrants his opportunity at Championship level.
MATCH FOCUS
Hero: Simon Davey
The Barnsley manager's job was on the line after a terrible start to the championship season but his tactics helped deliver a stunning result in this South Yorkshire derby.
Villain: Barnsley fans
The Reds supporters must surely be regretting chants of 'We want Davey out' just moments before their side began their heroic fightback.
Key moment
49th minute: Moore commits a professional foul on Rovers striker Guy. Sent off but it was probably worth it.
Ref watch
Steve Tanner: Dismissed Moore for his challenge but allowed Dennis Souza to stay on after conceding a penalty.
Verdict
One of those games that you will never forget. An amazing and unexpected comeback that stunned Rovers and delighted the Reds.
Quote of the day
Some people have said the lads don't look fit enough – if those players are not fit enough I will show my backside on the Town Hall steps.
– Assistant manager Ryan Kidd praises Barnsley's stamina.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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