retired_brinker317

Sunday would see Gus McPherson of Tranmere and Wigan's Paul Jewell dismissed - and Nottingham Forest demanding a bigger financial package for the transfer of Wes Morgan . After discussions with his Chairman, Fairway did submit an improved offer for the big defender.

The wage bill would be slightly eased on Monday morning - Paul Hayes agreeing a switch to Dagenham & Redbridge - whilst Ronnie Moore was introduced to a delighted Birkenhead at Prenton Park as the new manager of Tranmere Rovers .

A 0-0 draw for the reserves at Kidderminster was a dull affair - Fairway not travelling to Aggbrough - preferring instead to concentrate on organising his side for the visit of Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

A day later though there was big - and pleasing - news for the boss. Nottingham Forest accepted a £75,000 bid for Wes Morgan - only to be disapointed when the defender told Fairway that, although he liked the club, he had little intention of making his move a permanent one. Unless, therefore, he could persuade Morgan to change his mind, there would be a large gaping hole in the Barnsley back line early in the new year - and for the visit of Spurs.

Barnsley v Bristol Rovers - 16.12.06 - League Two

Despite his intention not to become a Tyke permanently, Morgan would take his place in the side in an unchanged team for the visit of struggling Rovers. It would take just over 2 minutes for Barnsley to take the lead - Kay's bullet header from Shuker's inswinging corner giving Fairway's men an immediate lead. The Tykes were forced into a change on 28 - Nardiello taking a knock to be replaced by Richards up front. Five minutes later, the substitute hit the target - Richards racing onto a sublime Wroe through pass to add a second. On 40, Wright added the third - tapping home after Richards had seen a shot blocked - before Richards himself cracked one into the far corner on 43. Fairway replaced Wright for Heslop at the break - Shuker going into attack - but the second half was something of an anticlimax. Minutes before the end, Barnsley had to react quickly to secure a clean sheet - Agogo bursting through, but denied by Ubbergen making a fine stop with his legs.

Barnsley 4 - Bristol Rovers 0

Attendance; 9833

Barnsley League Position; 3rd

retired_brinker317

While Sunday would see a nice, relaxing start to a new week for Fairway, it would be a bad one for Micky Adams and Steve Thompson - sacked by Coventry and Yeovil respectivley. It would also be a good one for Manchester United - thumping Rosario 4-0 in Yokohama to lift the World Club Championship .

The bad news would be on the injury front - Daniel Nardiello out for a week with a dead leg, but Robbie Williams would be ruled out for up to a month with a twisted knee.

A sensational midweek win for the Reserves - beating MK Dons 3-0 at Oakwell - saw a captain's performance from Dale Tonge , who looked a class above the rest of the field - and on Friday, Fairway recieved an unexpected boost with the return to fitness of Daniel Nardiello - the Welsh hitman set to be fit in time for the weekend.

Barnsley v Barnet - 23.12.06 - League Two

Two days before Christmas, and Barnsley's penultimate home match of the year. Fairway was able to name a side with just one change - Rob Atkinson handed his first start of the season in place of the injured Williams, whilst Nardiello, withdrawn against Bristol Rovers, taking his place in the attack. Barnet were obviously in a seasonal mood - a huge Morgan clearance saw 'keeper Flitney make a total hash of it, the ball bouncing over the stranded stopper, and despite Soares racing to clear, Wright got to the ball first, prodding the ball into the corner. On 7, it was two - Wroe finding Shuker's through ball to net from the angle. A third would follow on 11 - and Barnet supporters didn't feel like Christmas had come all of a sudden - this time, Nardiello beating the hapless Flitney. The atmosphere had by now hit fever pitch - and when Wroe hammered home Wright's flick on on 26, the party atmosphere even extended to a brief conga. The second half opened with another goal - Austin's long ball fired home by Nardiello on 57 - and when Nardiello wrapped up his hatrick on 71, many of the remaining away fans decided to head back to London early. Fairway then made three changes - Kell, Heslop and Richards joining the party - and as the final whistle blew to the strains of festive tunes, most Barnsley supporters already had their perfect Christmas present.

Barnsley 6 (Six) - Barnet 0

Attendance; 9841

Barnsley League Position; 2nd

retired_brinker317

A record victory, and Barnsley now lay second - leading the chasing pack behind leaders Carlisle . Fairway would spend Christmas Day with family, plotting the downfall of Boxing Day opponents Bury

Bury v Barnsley - 26.12.06 - League Two

Nardiello's ommision was perhaps something of a suprise - the hatrick hero relegated to the bench after his tremendous display, with Richards replacing him up front. It was the only change to a side on scintillating form of late. On 12 though they would fall behind - Zsombor Kerekes heading the ball on for Newby to deftly lob 'keeper Ubbergen. While Bury undoubtedly had the best of the first half, Barnsley did break on occasions - and on 43, one of those breaks resulted in a trip by Kerr, and Howard levelling from the penalty spot. Fairway replaced Wroe for Kell at the interval - only for the second half to open poorly for both sides, neither able to break through a congested midfield. Fairway belatedly introduced Nardiello with 15 minutes to go, bringing the Welshman on for Wright. It was too little, too late however - Brian-Barry Murphy having a late header well saved for the home side - but no further action in a game which had 'Boxing Day' written all over it.

Bury 1 - Barnsley 1

Attendance; 4552

Barnsley League Position; 5th

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Carlisle | | 25 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 23 | +14 | 51 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Mansfield | | 25 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 37 | 25 | +12 | 46 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Darlington | | 25 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 36 | 23 | +13 | 45 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Cheltenham | | 25 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 33 | 23 | +10 | 45 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | BARNSLEY | | 25 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 46 | 26 | +20 | 44 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Bury | | 25 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 32 | 29 | +3 | 42 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Notts Co | | 25 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 35 | 26 | +9 | 40 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Grimsby | | 25 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 37 | 32 | +5 | 37 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Leyton Orient | | 25 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 38 | 31 | +7 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Wycombe | | 25 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 31 | 30 | +1 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Barnet | | 25 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 33 | 39 | -6 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Rochdale | | 25 | 10 | 4 | 11 | 36 | 38 | -2 | 34 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Oxford | | 25 | 10 | 3 | 12 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Kidderminster | | 25 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 32 | 37 | -5 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | MK Dons | | 25 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 32 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Rushden | | 25 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 35 | 39 | -4 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Accrington | | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 33 | 42 | -9 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Macclesfield | | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 32 | 42 | -10 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Blackpool | | 25 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 37 | 35 | +2 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Bristol Rovers | | 25 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 32 | 39 | -7 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Yeovil | | 25 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 28 | 33 | -5 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Torquay | | 25 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 25 | 34 | -9 | 25 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Peterborough | | 25 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 25 | 36 | -11 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Chester | | 25 | 2 | 10 | 13 | 20 | 48 | -28 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_brinker317

Wednesday - and with a few days to go before the opening of the transfer window, Fairway had news that he didn't want as he arrived at the office. Tommy Wright was the subject of interest from Plymouth Argyle . Fortunatley, the offer - a straight swap for defender Hasnee Aljofree - was so ludicrous that it could be immediatley turned down. Nottingham Forest would follow that up with a better - £525k - bid, but still, Fairway turned it down.

On Friday though there was some far better news - at Oakwell Barnsley's youngsters hosted Middlesbrough's Under 18 side - and won 2-1, with a virtuoso showing from Neil Higgins in particular impressive.

Barnsley v Peterborough United - 30.12.06 - League Two

With Nardiello returning for Richards, struggling Peterbrough brought just a skeleton away section to Oakwell two days before New Year. The scouts would again be out, Fairway suspected - Wright the object of their interests - but the manager just wanted to end 2006 on a high note. Wright had Barnsley's best chance of the first half, one in which the Tykes dominated but were unable to net. Heslop replaced Howard at the break - Nardiello withdrawn after an hour for Richards, with little further action. Fairway's final tactical throw of the dice came on 68, with Shuker swapping for Richard Kell in a bid to add some steel to the Tykes midfield. There would, however, be no glorious finish - despite dominating, Barnsley were unable to beat impressive 'Boro 'keeper Burch.

Barnsley 0 - Peterborough 0

Attendance; 9589

Barnsley League Position; 3rd

retired_brinker317

Despite disapointment at being unable to win, the point saw Barnsley's unbeaten run extend to nine games - and with sides around them dropping points, Barnsley would end 2006 in third place - some 9 positions higher than they were when Fairway arrived at Oakwell.

New Years Eve - or is it silly season? - When Fairway read of Mick Harford's dismissal by Hartlepool , he was most suprised to see his name linked to the League One side. Chairman Gordon Shepherd gave his manager a call to find out his intentions, only to be told that Fairway had no intention of going to Hartlepool, and, more to the point, had no idea where the speculation had appeared from.

The Transfer window opened at midnight - and immediatley, Nottingham Forest were on the phone, with Antony Kay their target. The offer, rather derisory, was rejected without ceremony. Bobby Hassell and Wayne Brown , however, would depart - and Cambridge saw a free transfer bid for Nick Colgan accepted by Fairway, who, should the deal go through, knew he would need to bring in another 'keeper during the first month of 2007.

Rushden & Diamonds v Barnsley - 1.1.07 - League Two

While those Tykes supporters who spent the previous evening painting the town red were no doubt not especially amused at a trip to the only League Club without a railway station in town on New Year's Day, Fairway was optimistic - Rushden poor of late. It would be Wes Morgan's final game for the club - lining up alongside Kay at the back in an unchanged eleven. It was, at least, a dry - if cold - afternoon in Irthlingbrough, and the first half was nothing to write home about, giving fans plenty of chance to sober up. Fairway replaced Nardiello with Richards at the break - and it was he who won a free kick on 67. Morais took it, only for Geir to head clear. The Portugese midfielder put the ball back in, for Nicky Wroe to rifle a shot which deflected off the 'keeper into the roof of the net. Barnsley then dominated, but were unable to find another goal - and deep into injury time, McLean levelled from Geir's long ball forward. A frustrating day - and a point that should have been three.

Rushden 1 - Barnsley 1

Attendance; 3825

Barnsley League Position; 4th

retired_jgirl87

You've got Barnsley well positioned for a tilt at promotion. KUTGW d_s. :thup:

retired_brinker317

cheers Spav, it's looking good


On Wednesday morning Nick Colgan completed his free transfer to Cambridge United - the 33 year old signing a deal at the Abbey until 2009. Meanwhile, Neil Higgins again impressed for Barnsley's reserves in a 2-2 draw with Rotherham - the young Scot scoring a penalty.

Training was something of a difficult task for Fairway ahead of Saturday's big game - media interest growing by the day, and reporters were frequently interrupting the manager and his players - if allowed - to get opinions and all the little trivia titbits that fans and pundits alike love ahead of a 'David v Goliath' Cup clash.

On Friday, Wes Morgan said his farewells - although Fairway was aware that Forest seemed keen to extend the loan deal, talks on that would have to wait until after Saturday. He was also finally confirmed as a no-go on the Hartlepool job - it going to Paul Fairclough - whilst Gary Peters took the role at Yeovil .

Barnsley v Tottenham Hotspur - 6.1.07 - FA Cup Third Round

Fairway had one decision to make - and Adam El-Abd stepped into that void. The ex-Brighton man would replace the departed Morgan at the back, with Tony Vaughan stepping onto the bench. Spurs, currently 10th in the Premiership, sent out a strong side - just three of their starting eleven, in Micheal Dawson, Wayne Routledge and Gianpaulo Pazzani, not having full international caps. It was a scrappy opening - and on 13, disaster for Barnsley - Atkinson dismissed for a foul on Pazzani, leaving Jermaine Defoe to net from the penalty spot. Vaughan replaced Austin at the back - Barnsley going to 3 at the back in the hope of keeping some kind of attacking force. The sub would, on 42, concede a second penalty - Defoe again stepping up, only to see his effort saved with a terrific Ubbergen stop. It would still be 1-0 at the break, and Fairway was going for it - sending on Heslop for Howard on the left of midfield. Spurs too made changes - the arrival of Robbie Keane hardly lightening the mood of Tykes defenders - while young gun Tom Huddlestone also made an appearance, replacing Tanio. Keane added the second on 68 - meeting a cross from Ireland international colleague Andy Reid with a firm, far post header. It was the cue for Fairway to make his final change - Richards replacing Nardiello with Barnsley going for a more physical approach. The home support never stopped singing - a superb atmosphere throughout - and the defeat, whilst expected, was not the rout that some might have expected.

Barnsley 0 - Tottenham 2

Attendance; 20995

Shermanez

It's excellent this d_s. :thup:

retired_brinker317

Cheers Gino, It's nice to be back


Sunday morning - and the news came through that 'keeper Rodney Ubbergen would be out for up to a fortnight with a slight head injury. Rob Atkinson would also be suspended - a one game ban for the young fullback not appealed against by the club.

It also became apparent that any future move for Wes Morgan would not happen - the 22 year old agreeing a £55,000 move to Premiership strugglers Stoke City .

On Monday morning, Fairway was called to meet chairman Gordon Shepherd . His Chairman's words left him with something to do - Shepherd urging the young manager to bring in a high-profile signing, with the promise that financial restrictions would be eased for him to do so. Fairway, in fact, had no intention of spending big - but would bring in a high-profile player, albeit on loan.

The signing of Djourou would be quite a coup, but on Tuesday Fairway would seek to appease his Chairman by making a permanent capture, with a bid for England Under 19 international 'keeper Joe Hart of Shrewsbury Town .

Barnsley v Darlington - 10.1.07 - League Two

With Morais dropped back into defence replacing El-Abd and Djourou coming into the midfield holding role, Fairway made changes to the side who lost against Spurs on Saturday - Heckingbottom coming in for the banned Atkinson. Despite prematch rumours that Chris Shuker was the target of interest earlier in the week, the Scouse winger would start, and Fairway was making no comment about the stories that had been flying around the town. Barnsley had the best of the early play, and on 20, earned a free kick wide on the left. Wroe curled the ball to the far post, where Wright reacted quickest to fire home on the volley. Visiting winger Baldachino was dismissed on 30 for a second bookable offence, and Barnsley quickly sought to take advantage of the extra space - Wright having a fine chance to head a second, only to nod straight at the 'keeper. Nardiello, nursing a knock, was replaced by Richards at the break - and on 50, the substitute saw his shot blocked into the path of strike partner Wright , who made no mistake 6 yards out. 8 minutes later, debutant Djourou - who had impressed with some classy passing already - made himself an instant hero when a snap shot from 25 yards crept beyond 'keeper Russell into the bottom corner, while at the other end 'keeper Samson was hardly threatened. Kell and Heslop replaced Wroe and Howard late on - Kell closest to adding an 88th minute fourth. That would come deep in injury time - a free kick on the edge of the box allowed Kay to blast the ball beyond Russell - cementing his position as set-piece magician of the Barnsley side. The perfect way to bounce back after the Cup exit!

Barnsley 4 - Darlington 0

Attendance; 9434

Barnsley League Position; 3rd

retired_brinker317

Bizzarely, after the match, all BBC Radio Sheffield correspondent Paul Walker wanted to talk about was rumours linking Fairway with a move away from Oakwell. With Martin Ling's resignation as manager of struggling Bristol Rovers , pundits were putting two and two together and making five - as Fairway said, he had little intention of leaving a side chasing for promotion for one struggling to stay in the Football League.

Thursday morning, however, saw more real news. Premiership outfit Portsmouth launched a £500,000 bid for striker Tommy Wright . Fairway rejected the initial offer - but told Pompey boss Harry Redknapp to double his bid. If that was done, Fairway felt that he had little choice but to allow the 22 year old to talk to the top flight side.

With the Wright story - and some prematch posturing by Notts County boss Gudjon Pordason - which was ignored by Fairway - bubbling away behind the scenes, the Tykes boss was delighted to agree a fee with Shrewsbury for Joe Hart - and offered a deal to the tall stopper on Friday morning.

Notts County v Barnsley - 13.1.07 - League Two

A late fitness test saw Williams passed fit to return at left back, replacing Heckingbottom in the only change to the Tykes' side. Wright, despite transfer rumours, would be involved, with Fairway hoping that the speculation regarding his star striker didn't adversley affect his team. Unfortunatley on 12 it seemed as if exactly that had happened - the defence too slow to react to Baudet's pass, which was easily converted by Logan. On 32, Barnsley broke - the nippy Wroe setting up Wright, who played in Nardiello for a trademark, cool finish to equalise. At the break though Wright - and Shuker - was replaced by Richards, with Shuker coming off for Kell. The decision suprised many in the away end, although the hitman had ran himself into the ground, often chasing lost causes, in the first half. Nardiello, however, would last just five minutes before succumbing to injury, but on 55, his replacement, Heslop, got free, crossing for Kell to drill home. Four minutes later Kay's ball down the left found Richards, who in turn found Wroe to add a third. Barnsley's counter-attacking was a joy to behold, and with a man over, they bagged a fourth on 73 - Austin's ball into the channel played across, and Wroe again bursting through to score from close range. It really was a spellbinding attacking performance - backed up by a man of the match showing from Djourou in midfield, who looked to control the tempo with ease.

Notts County 1 - Barnsley 4

Attendance; 6790

Barnsley League Position; 2nd