E&S fans' verdict on Barnsley victory

Russ Cockburn

What's your verdict on the match? This wasn't Anfield and there weren't 8,300 fans cheering us on. Yet, this result was probably more important in our future progression than the outstanding performance from Saturday.

It wasn't pretty, but I don't think I've ever seen anything pretty in Barnsley. A town known more for their bread than their football team is not an easy place to go and to come away with a comfortable three points is testament to how far Lambert has taken the squad.

After the exertions of the weekend, it would have been so easy to roll over and lose. Not this team. Key changes in key positions worked perfectly and we started like a steam train, culminating in Hause's goal from a trademark Edwards dash to the front post

We seem to have a knack of scoring goals at the right time at the moment and Super Dave's second took the sting out of the game just when it was needed. Then Mowatt forgot he wasn't still playing for 'Dirty Leeds' and decided to mark his debut with a shocking two-foot lunge at Jack Price. He was so late, he might as well have been a London Midland train.

The second-half was a pretty turgid affair and, the only disappointment for me, was how we failed to control the game better with the man advantage.

Then up popped Dave to seal the victory and a pretty memorable three days. I'm not sure what to say about Shrewsbury's favourite son...he defies all football logic, but it somehow works and there's few other people you'd want with an open goal ahead of them. His engine is something else too, he'd beat Forrest Grump in an endurance race.

So there's a bit of daylight between us and the relegation zone and things are looking pretty good. Lambert has a unique opportunity to use the next three months to gel a team/squad that is capable of challenging for promotion and delivering those 'Liverpool-esque' performances more often.

The signs are good. He's blending the young players (Ronan/Hause/Bright) with the old guard, but let's not confuse ourselves with the last week of football. We still need key additions in key places, over to you Paul.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? Joe Mason on the wing wasn't a pretty sight and he looked like he'd rather be back home watching Holby City.

Peter Abbott (London Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match? A good set piece win and very welcome league points in a pretty ordinary game.

There were lots of changes from Saturday and not, as expected, a straight return to the pre-FA Cup line-up.

Barnsley weren't a patch on the team that won convincingly at Molineux in September and we were helped by their sending off. As Barnsley had won the free kick, presumably it was because Mowatt's boot connected with Prices's head after Jack himself had committed the foul?

Then there was a confusing penalty change of mind due to offside but where was the flag? So guess there must have been a foul just beforehand. Amazing really in that Dave Edwards had virtually scored it before the change of heart.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? Harry Burgoyne for his two first half goal stopping saves.

Korteny Hause for his early goal and overall strength and positioning in probably his best game to date.

Jack Price seamlessly slipping back into midfield plus pretty much on his own in an up-and-under type game from both sides.

Dave Edwards for his usual energy and particularly tonight for his two oh-so-typical, goals.

Conor Ronan looked as though he had been playing first team football all season rather than making just his second actual league start.

As for who didn't play well...the officials may not have made many mistakes but continually confused everyone in the ground all night and then topped it all by their amazing blunder in missing the blatant Barnsley goalkeeping handball in stoppage time. How very embarrassing.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match? Never in all of our collective years of watching football have the collective Hatherton Wolves followers witnessed such an inept and comical refereeing performance.

A penalty awarded then decision reversed, missed fouls left right and centre all topped off by his last five minute show, which included missing the Barnsley keeper still holding the ball almost 10 yards outside his own area own.

Then he awarded a free kick and booked Weiman for not standing 10 yards away...then marked the 10 yards out and his final act was awarding the home side another free kick, marking the line out despite Barnsley protests that it was only seven yards as confirmed by one of their players who measured it in steps!!

It is a shame that his utter ineptitude detracted from a determined Wolves performance with Conor Ronan justifying his inclusion and, a couple of misplaced passes apart, Kortney Hause being a rock at the back.

Who played well - and who didn't impress? Jon Dadi ran himself into the ground with another very impressive performance and hats off to Dangerous Dave for his two very well taken goals.

Not quite 8,300 Wolves fans there last night but 11 heroes again on the pitch.