Barrow

[ac]

Not a good start, 1-0 down and Chris Smith sent off, they had a penalty saved though.

[ac]

Thats better- 1-1, Barrow's favourite City player- Danks

[ac]

FT 1-1 att: 802

[villager]

Thought City showed a lot of heart and played really well (with 10-men) for the first 15 minutes of the second half. It was then backs to the wall, as Barrow pushed for the winner.

Looked pretty bad when (at 0-1 down), Smudger was sent off and we faced the pen.

Got to be delighted with the draw, but confused by the positional formation.

[tim]

Cameron Belford is going to be a very useful keeper, and if he becomes half as good as his old man, Dale the legend, then he will be an exceptional keeper.

[gobby cow]

What a match! What a performance. I want to marry Cameron and have his babies! Jamie Price was excellent. Clegg was disappointing

[althom]

Jamie Price certainly produced a commanding midfield performance that we have all been looking for!

[rocky]

Did really well to come back from that position - thought all was dead and buried once the ref gave that penalty.

Jamie Price excellent in a more advanced midfield position.

Unfortunatley, despite a bright enough start Shab had a nightmare. Everything Barrow did seemed to be able to bypass him and Rapid. We are going to really miss Smudger. It was a Shab mistake that left him exposed that eventually led to the penalty. The new lad at the back looked good, though, despite a couple of early errors.

On the whole much better performance than recently, but the gaffer now knows what a task he has - we have some really good players who are short on confidence, but also some who are just not good enough at this level. If Barrow had not squandered so many half-chances they could have won this game quite easily!

Noticed that Danksy had his leg strapped up after coming off. Again, not good news!

But a point against a form team is a great start for the new management!

[colinlayland]

Very good game,Price man of the match for me.

[blackpole]

More effort and a bit more passion from the players was what I wanted to see, and I saw it. Jamie Price was outstanding, the new centre half looke assure, and with a couple of more games could easily be the Justin we have been missing. I still have my feelings about Cleggy being an expensive luxury, and Nic showed the new gaffer what his work rate is. Shabber and Rapid look out of their depth, and the keeper looked good - nice to see a keeper rolling the ball out of his area and bringing their forward on - it takes a player out of play. Looked better, and King Carl still showing his passion for the club. the gaffer is getting a view of what he's inherited, but he deserves a few weeks to sortbhis team out - I feel optimistic.........

[Deleted]

Agreed Price was excellent. Always looking to bring the ball under control and use it creatively. We played some neat stuff in midfield and Craig was involved in many of the moves. But at the back? Oh dear. We looked like conceding a goal from every Barrow attack. Shabs looks shakey to say the least. But many good points for the new Boss to mull over. Raps was better pushed forward before Smith was sent off. Price very good and the new keeper did all that was asked of him. Above all though we showed great spirit and fought back from the brink. Dryden seems to be busy bringing in and shipping out players already. I have a good feeling about this guy.

[mossysboots]

I was slightly dissappointed that the fans who waited by the cage to show their appreciation for the players (and management) were kept waiting while the players etc had a huddle/meeting/warm down on the pitch at the end of the game. If they do that after every full-time whistle, people will just bugger off.

[ctod1959]

A good backs to the wall performance and the second half commitment levels deserved a point. I was surprised how Barrow sat back after Smudger's dismissal until we equalised. Barrow created plenty of chances late on as the ten men tired, but we rode our luck.

Price my man of match.

[stan's the man!]

Did well considering down to 10 men,still to many hiding, dont like the look of Spencer seems clumsy to me, belford did well, but he is only 5 foot 8 would like to see him when he comes under an aerial bombardment Sick note Danks was strapped up again I note. All in All not to much to shout about

[tim]

Glass half empty already Stan?

[Mark]

Good show today by all really. More please.

What a pity that we hoofed so many long high balls up to Danksy and Craig for their big defenders to head straight back to us. It's no good expecting danks to fend off a bid defender to claim such high balls.

Lucky Barrow were useless infront of goal or we could have lost 5-1 as they had numerous chances in the second half. However, only a Barrow supporter could claim that they were all over City (as one of them did!!!!!!).

[B*ue dragonstander]

City's makeshift and reshaped team came out of the traps like a greyhound after a bunny and scrapped against an in from Barrow side. Barrow were on th eback foot but City could really fashion the openings - the best being George Clegg's rasping free kick that irritated the side netting. Tenacious and dogged City kept battling and protected the youthful back line and debutant goalie well. Out of the blue a through ball seemed to evade the city players leaving Rogan a clear run on goal which was almost thwarted by the hand of Belford beofre Rogan curled the ball into the top corner past the two City players on the line.

City hung on a bit after that before another through ball caught us out and their man was clean through on goal when Smudger brought him down for a clear penalty and merited early bath. If you want to mark your debut and get the fans on your side as a keeper then save a penalty and thats what Belford did clearing a firmly struck shot with his feet.

A reorganised City then made light of the 1 man disadvantage by dominating the start of the second half. Passing the ball effectively and fighting like tigers when not in possession they forced a rather subdued Barrow back. A number of corneers came to nothing before another excellent cross (Clegg and Price delivered a number during the game) made its way to Danks who poked home from close range.

Having stuck a burning stick into the hornets nest City then fled in front of a venomous enemy. Penned back City;s young defenders struggled to clear the ball at times and their lack of exeprience led to a scary spell when Barrow simply had to score but miraculously did not.

Wood and Colley replaced the exhausted Danks and Clegg and City hung on despite a couple of late corners.

It was like a cup tie in the second half and given the available players and the circumstances it was an excellent point. The payers gave everything and it would be churlish to point out heroes and villains. The most noticeable thing was before, during and after the game the team stuck together as witnessed by the whole side in a huddle after our equaliser.

Not a classic for the football purist but great stuff for the fan. Rarely a dull moment and a decent start for the new managerial team.

Well done City.

The only negative the 200 or so who decided to go Christmas shopping. Please - there are plenty of non-match days before Christmas to do that...

[Tony is not to despondent now.]

:(After observing the Barrow game, I will reserve my judgement. After all 1 swallow does not make a summer.

:)But, praise be given where it is due, the team did have fighting spirit.

:DAt last, Mark, someone who agrees with me about the senseless lofting of high balls to the little men up front.

[suv]

tim said:

Cameron Belford is going to be a very useful keeper, and if he becomes half as good as his old man, Dale the legend, then he will be an exceptional keeper.

Any truth in the rumour "Danny Mac out for the rest of the season?"

[gobby cow]

Strange how we all see things differently, I was impressed with Rapinder, he worked hard, so did Shabby. They were both tired at the end and it did show but they did themselves proud. Cleggy and Macca were both bone idle and left Jamie to do all the work.

If Danny is out for the rest of the season I hope we can keep Cameron. He was outstanding in the pre season friendlies and his confidence and control of his half of the pitch is excellent. He is maturing nicely and is going to be a great goalie

[alfiepie]

Shabir was awful - totally at fault for the penalty - but it was a better display from the team all round. But for some shocking shooting we would have probably lost, but didn't really deserve to do so. Referee was very inconsistent letting some things go, then being really picky on others.

Still, the manager is in place now, so I for one am going to get behind the whole team and it will either be a very bad decision to appoint an untried manager or he will go down in City history...................which one will it be???

[gobby cow]

I thought the referee was ok, he did not notice at least 5 hand balls but he was consistant and Smudger deserved to get sent off. Funny that, I didnt see Shabby bring down the last man in the box

[alfiepie]

No, but surely you saw him disappear and leave smudger one on one with their attacker (I can see i'm not the only one on here with this observation)

Thats the thing with watching football, you don't always have to follow the ball......

[gobby cow]

That still doesn't make him responsible for the penalty, that is Smudger's fault.

[gobby cow]

And what does that matter anyway Cameron saved it!. Smudger got what he deserved.

[gobby cow]

Everyone has different views as to where they stand - that is why I see the crap performance in midfield too bloody often!

[wh]

suv said:

tim said:

Cameron Belford is going to be a very useful keeper, and if he becomes half as good as his old man, Dale the legend, then he will be an exceptional keeper.

Any truth in the rumour "Danny Mac out for the rest of the season?"

The truth is Danny nor the club know yet how serious the injury is, the specialist is waiting on the result of the scans but it could be a very long lay off for him if things dont go as hoped. fingers crossed though.

[B*ue dragonstander]

I thought Gilly was tigerish throughout. He has still to start many matches but there is something there which bodes well.

As for the ref? He was the best I have seen this season at this level.

[ctod1959]

It would be pretty foolish webbtony not to reserve judgement after one game, when the new management team has had one training session to get to know the players!

[Tim Munslow]

I agree with Malcolm's comments above "Not a classic for the football purist but great stuff for the fan. Rarely a dull moment and a decent start for the new managerial team."

This was more like it; plenty of fight and determination and for my money Price and Gill looked so much better pushed into midfield. Shabir Khan is a real weakness and I'd sooner see Adam Burley (for all his faults) in that position.

No-one has mentioned Kevin Spencer's miraculous throws-in; how far is that he throws? 40 metres? Throws-in toward the corner flag quickly became the equivalent of corners.

I am hoping the strapping and ice pack on Danks's ankle was a precaution; we always look better with him about. How many is that he's scored against Barrow now? Must be six.

I thought Barrow were better than their league position suggests and this was a very well deserved and hard-earned point.