Barnsley FC bore-draw with Blackburn Rovers is a bi-product of busy schedule, laments Markus Schopp

Barnsley head coach Markus Schopp felt that neither side performed particularly well in Saturday’s goalless Sky Bet Championship draw with Blackburn at Oakwell.

Schopp said: “I think it was not a good game from both sides. It was the third game in a week for us, but I’ll not use this as an excuse. Even the weather probably had a bit of an impact.

“We needed an opener for the game and Clarke Oduor had a big chance for us, but it didn’t happen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We had a bit more chances than them, but they were really, really dangerous in the transition moments and we gave too many easy balls away. Fortunately, we defended well.

Clarke Oduor: Came closest to breaking the deadlock for Barnsley in what was not an easy-on-the-eye Championship contest with Blackburn Rovers. (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)Clarke Oduor: Came closest to breaking the deadlock for Barnsley in what was not an easy-on-the-eye Championship contest with Blackburn Rovers. (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)
Clarke Oduor: Came closest to breaking the deadlock for Barnsley in what was not an easy-on-the-eye Championship contest with Blackburn Rovers. (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)

“In the second half we had more but it didn’t work out. It’s all about knowing what we have to do better, and we know that we can do a lot better.

“A couple of players will be coming back next week so the competition will be getting bigger.

“We have to take this point, but we wanted to take more today.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Barnsley’s Clarke Oduor went close to scoring a fine individual goal, producing a mazy run into the area before firing in a shot which was saved by Thomas Kaminski.

Frustrated: Markus Schopp (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)Frustrated: Markus Schopp (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)
Frustrated: Markus Schopp (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)

Michal Helik directed a header on target after meeting a corner from Cauley Woodrow, but Kaminski was able to make a comfortable save.

A powerful run from Helik saw him upended before he was able to reach the D and the resulting free-kick, taken by Woodrow, was deflected wide off the defensive wall.

Kaminski made a great save to keep out Fr0ieser’s header following a corner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Blackburn also went close soon afterwards when Ben Brereton Diaz found himself through on goal, but he was denied by Brad Collins – hero in the week at Stoke – who came to his side’s rescue with an important block.

The home side went desperately close to scoring when Helik’s flicked near-post header just evaded the stretching Victor Adeboyejo and the ball went a fraction beyond the far post.

Both sides went in search of a late winner, with Barnsley’s Callum Styles putting a 30-yard drive wide before Collins was forced to save an effort from Clarkson, who was set up inside the area by Reda Khadra.

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray said: “I thought we restricted them pretty well. They flood men forward when they win the ball back in midfield and they’ve got some good players.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Woodrow, with his back to goal, is an exceptionally good player.”

Barnsley: Collins, Halme, Helik, Moon, Sibbick (Hondermarck 46), Brittain, Gomes (Adeboyejo 60), Styles, Oduor, Iseka (Frieser 46), Woodrow. Unused substitutes: Vita, Walton, Sraha, Cole.

Blackburn: Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan, Ayala, Pickering, Travis, Buckley, Poveda-Ocampo (Clarkson 67), Rothwell (Edun 71), Dolan (Khadra 67),Brereton. Unused substitutes: Davenport, Pears, Butterworth, Carter.

Referee: A Woolmer (Northants).

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.