By Red Army
January 23 2021

Barnsley progress to the fifth round of the FA cup thanks to a 1 – 0 victory over Championship leaders Norwich at Oakwell.

The visitors made a few changes to their regular team but take nothing away from this victory for the reds who also rested Walton and Sollbauer.

Callum Styles was the hero at both ends of the pitch for the reds. Scoring the winner on his weaker right foot and then blocking at the other end as Norwich had an almost open goal to score the equaliser.

For me this was by far Barnsley’s best performance of the season, especially in the first half. The reds were relentless with their pressing, and we passed the ball well and got crosses in to the box and shots off at every opportunity.

We didn’t give Norwich a sniff in the first half but the visitors did have a couple of chances in the second half with the Styles block and they also hit the bar.

Barnsley’s 10 shots on target showed their dominance in the area that matters and goalkeeper Krul was certainly worked. The stats will also show that Norwich had 70 per cent of the possession but most of this was passing between the goalkeeper and the defence.

Both wing backs for the reds were excellent throughout. It was Brittain who provided the cross from which Styles scored.

Also excellent again was the skipper Alex Mowatt, particularly in the first half when playing alongside Palmer. I feel that Mowatt likes playing with Palmer. Palmer was also excellent as he got up and down the pitch and got stuck in and passed the ball well also.

I was surprised to see him replaced by Kane at half time. And although Barnsley still played well in the second half, it wasn’t quite as good as the first half performance and for me that was mainly due to the Kane for Palmer change.

Sibbick slotted in well in to the back three alongside Helik and Andersen and shows that there is genuine competition for places in that back line.

Collins did well in goal but was barely tested and I would expect Walton to return in the league but both look good goalkeepers to me.

Chaplin showed why he had been dropped when he came on as he should have scored even with his poor first touch. However anyone who gets dropped when Frieser is selected can feel hard done by. I’m scratching my head to try and remember him having a good game and I really can’t remember one. He must do a job for Ismael in this system but I must admit I fail to see what that job is. That is my only negative at the minute and one area of the pitch I still think we need a few in and out before the end of the month.

Hopefully we can transfer this win back to our league form as we travel to Cardiff on Wednesday. They themselves have been on an absolutely shocking run and will have new boss Mick McCarthy in charge on Wednesday so it will be far from an easy game.

I expect Walton, Sollbauer and Morris to come in for Collins, Sibbick and Frieser assuming Palmer is fit and it wasn’t an injury that forced him off at half time.

Chelsea or Luton next up in the FA cup. Could we have another run like we did in that famous 2008 run when we knocked out Liverpool and Chelsea before a semi-final defeat at Wembley?

COYR