Barnsley 0-0 Watford: Butterfield sets the standard to impress Reds chief

Jacob Butterfield certainly gave Mark Robins plenty to ponder with his 40-minute performance from off the bench against Watford but will be as aware as his manager is that now is the season to start to staking a claim on a consistent basis.

Bradford-born Butterfield joined the club as a 17-year-old trainee three years ago and the fans certainly appreciate his give-and-go attack-minded approach, which went close to unlocking a well-marshalled visiting defence as he thundered a shot against the inside of the post only to see the ball bounce away from goal.

It was the second time within 60 seconds that Barnsley had been denied by the woodwork, Adam Hammill drilling a free-kick against Scott Loach's right-hand upright in the 67th minute.

Butterfield's fellow substitute, Paul Hayes, then glanced a header wide and Garry O'Connor's flick finish from Bobby Hassell's low cross to the near post brought the save of the game from Loach going smartly down to his right as the hosts belatedly turned up the pressure in an unsuccessful attempt to register a four-game winning run for the first time in six seasons.

With Nathan Doyle suspended, Robins had opted for Uruguay international and Stoke loan signing Diego Arismendi to start alongside Argentinian Hugo Colace in the centre of midfield with Serbian Goran Lovre linking behind striker O'Connor.

There could be little argument with Robins's selection but Butterfield's attacking thrust when he replaced Colace finally warmed the crowd in the sub-zero temperature and the manager said:

"Jacob did give us a bit of a spark. He always does when he comes on from the bench. He's always given us a bit of a lift and is something different. What he does do is he tries to get on the ball and pass it but sometimes we lose our shape through it and they play on the counter-attack so he will have to learn to get a bit of discipline in his play as well.

"This is something which he'll get with age and experience and with me keep telling him what he's got to do. But again he's got forward, he's got two great feet and he's hit the post and I would have loved to have seen that go in the back of the net for him.

"It was a great strike, he is technically very good and he's got great vision. The passing range he's got is very good and, as a youngster with a lot of ability, he does a very good job from the bench at this moment in time.

"If I need him to, he can do a very decent job from the start as well but Nathan and Hugo have been a solid partnership for over 12 months and that's given us a platform to get results.

"Anyone who is in and around the first team needs to dislodge those two and obviously we have got Diego who will improve with confidence and Jacob likewise. I have four decent midfield players."

Robins was disappointed that Barnsley did not hit the standards that had produced three successive wins but surprisingly refused to blame the pitch, which was understandably bobbly in parts despite the undersoil heating doing its trick.

"I am disappointed that we didn't do ourselves justice. We weren't as good as we've been in the past three weeks, that's why I am disappointed because I know we are better than," he said.

Though there were several sparkling passages of inter-passing play from the hosts and fluent counter-attacking raids from the visitors, there were times when some players resembled shoppers treading warily down gritted footpaths.

Defenders on both sides should take immense credit for the way they dealt with the conditions, Malky Mackay employing two banks of four which were never far apart to negate much of Barnsley's threat.

Barnsley flank player Hammill had been the pre-match centre of attention for the BBC cameras following his recent goal-scoring exploits and was carefully watched by Watford, especially when he tried to cut inside from either flank, Hornets captain John Eustace invariably leading the welcoming party.

Despite being frequently off target in this encounter, Liverpool-product Hammill was always looking to get into the action as he was watched by several scouts, including those from Celtic, Nottingham Forest and, ironically, Everton.

At the other end, Danny Graham and Troy Deeney, followed by Marvin Sordell, sought to capitalise on their raids, which faded away during the closing stages, but Barnsley possess a blossoming central defensive partnership in captain Jason Shackell and Stephen Foster, who could have won it with a header which just flew over in stoppage time.

Foster said: "We said from the start that we have a decent understanding and we are satisfied with out partnership and enjoy playing alongside each other as it showed today.

"As a defender your main objective is to keep a clean sheet. We are pleased to have done that but we had enough chances to win this game and maybe it will be a blessing in disguise ahead of the derbies."

Visting manager Mackay was happy to claim a point after his camp had been hit by a midweek virus: "I've never had an easy game here. I thought it was going to be something from distance that would win the match.

"We managed to stifle their wingers who have been good in the last few matches. Our full-backs did a very good job against them."

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Jacob Butterfield

The midfield prospect drove Barnsley forward from midfield and struck the post with a terrific drive after his second-half introduction for Hugo Colace.

Villain: John Eustace

Watford's captain frustrated the hosts by providing added insurance in front of an already solid defence.

Key moment

46th minute: Goran Lovre's chip frees Garry O'Connor into the area but the Barnsley striker lashes the ball high and wide.

Ref Watch

Graham Salisbury: Sensible approach from the Lancashire official as conditions deteriorated at Oakwell.

Verdict

Ten points out of 12 leave Barnsley in good heart for their forthcoming south Yorkshire derbies, starting at Doncaster on Saturday.

Quote of the day

It's an extremely difficult league and every season it proves to be more difficult. We have to be right on our game to win so maybe a draw is a blessing in disguise.

– Barnsley central defender Stephen Foster.

Next game

Doncaster Rovers v Barnsley, Championship, Saturday, 3.00pm.

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