Got in just before kick off, it was great to hear all players getting the biggest cheers before a game, Ive heard in a very long time.
We looked a little shaky in the first 10 minutes, with Barnsley doing most of the pressing and one particular shot which missed the post by a few inches, after that anything that was good in the first half from us came as a result of a through ball or a shot by Taarabt.. He really is an inspiration when he plays like this and whilst its only one game, if he keeps fit we are going to have a very good season.
He created a good opportunity for himself out of nothing which produced a good save, played a wonder ball into Mackie who didn't quite read the pass, add to that he won the penalty for us shortly before half-time. It was a typical run inside the box which drew in 3 Barnsley players, inevitably once you go down in the area its very difficult for a ref to turn down the appeals. He won the penalty its that simple and knew exactly what he was doing.
In the second half, Barnsley came close with a shot that hit the post, but after that point it became all plain sailing once Mackie read the ball slipping out of the Barnsley keepers hands to put is 2-0 up after about 52 minutes. The Rangers faithful then started to enjoy the free flowing football, with the crowd singing various songs at good volume all fans by this time realising that our first 3 points were on the board.
It didn't seem long and we were 3-0 up, after Helguson came behind the defender to win the ball and was brought down, the only surprise about the penalty award was that Taarabt stepped up to take it. Soon after being 3-0 Tarrabt found himself on the right wing and played a sublime ball into the box, which Helguson missed from about 3 yards out. It was a wonderful curling low cross from Tarbs, that defenders simply cannot defend against.
Warnock then decided with game won, to give the youngsters a run out. Taarabt was given a standing ovation for his contribution, quite rightly so. Soon after his departure, Hogan plays another great ball in to find Hall who wraps up a comfortable 4-0 win and leaving us fans to sing "we are the top of the league" knowing that through our mobiles, that no-one had matched our 4 goals.
It is difficult to gage how far we have come under Warnock and this is not a game to be carried away with, Barnsley will be struggling to survive in the championship this season on this evidence, much sterner test lay ahead of us. I would also like to point out, I felt we played as good if not better in our first game last season against Blackpool and only managed a 1-1 scoreline, thats football.
Advantage we have this season, it seems we have signed winners and YEs I would include Derry and Hill in that. These players gave 100% and if a ball went astray they would go and try win it back, you could see them disgusted with themselves if a pass did not come off which is an attitude which was certainly missing last season..
It was clear Tarrabt is a tad above everyone else in ability, though I did want to compliment Jamie Mackie. He worked his socks off and contributed a great deal in this victory and I can see potential for him and Tarbs to get a good understanding going. That was a very astute sigining in my opinion.
All in all a good start, but we have another 45 games to go. You can only beat what is put in front of you, next week at Bramall Lane will give us a clearer indication on how much we have progressed over the summer.
We looked a little shaky in the first 10 minutes, with Barnsley doing most of the pressing and one particular shot which missed the post by a few inches, after that anything that was good in the first half from us came as a result of a through ball or a shot by Taarabt.. He really is an inspiration when he plays like this and whilst its only one game, if he keeps fit we are going to have a very good season.
He created a good opportunity for himself out of nothing which produced a good save, played a wonder ball into Mackie who didn't quite read the pass, add to that he won the penalty for us shortly before half-time. It was a typical run inside the box which drew in 3 Barnsley players, inevitably once you go down in the area its very difficult for a ref to turn down the appeals. He won the penalty its that simple and knew exactly what he was doing.
In the second half, Barnsley came close with a shot that hit the post, but after that point it became all plain sailing once Mackie read the ball slipping out of the Barnsley keepers hands to put is 2-0 up after about 52 minutes. The Rangers faithful then started to enjoy the free flowing football, with the crowd singing various songs at good volume all fans by this time realising that our first 3 points were on the board.
It didn't seem long and we were 3-0 up, after Helguson came behind the defender to win the ball and was brought down, the only surprise about the penalty award was that Taarabt stepped up to take it. Soon after being 3-0 Tarrabt found himself on the right wing and played a sublime ball into the box, which Helguson missed from about 3 yards out. It was a wonderful curling low cross from Tarbs, that defenders simply cannot defend against.
Warnock then decided with game won, to give the youngsters a run out. Taarabt was given a standing ovation for his contribution, quite rightly so. Soon after his departure, Hogan plays another great ball in to find Hall who wraps up a comfortable 4-0 win and leaving us fans to sing "we are the top of the league" knowing that through our mobiles, that no-one had matched our 4 goals.
It is difficult to gage how far we have come under Warnock and this is not a game to be carried away with, Barnsley will be struggling to survive in the championship this season on this evidence, much sterner test lay ahead of us. I would also like to point out, I felt we played as good if not better in our first game last season against Blackpool and only managed a 1-1 scoreline, thats football.
Advantage we have this season, it seems we have signed winners and YEs I would include Derry and Hill in that. These players gave 100% and if a ball went astray they would go and try win it back, you could see them disgusted with themselves if a pass did not come off which is an attitude which was certainly missing last season..
It was clear Tarrabt is a tad above everyone else in ability, though I did want to compliment Jamie Mackie. He worked his socks off and contributed a great deal in this victory and I can see potential for him and Tarbs to get a good understanding going. That was a very astute sigining in my opinion.
All in all a good start, but we have another 45 games to go. You can only beat what is put in front of you, next week at Bramall Lane will give us a clearer indication on how much we have progressed over the summer.
Comment