Football: Barnsley's poor late, late show
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE AWFUL truth of Barnsley's relgation from the Premiership is that had the players whose bravery manager Danny Wilson has so praised been able to last the full 90 minutes they might today be contemplating another season in the top flight.
The statistics of the season show that no team conceded more goals than Tottenham in the last 15 minutes of their games but that Barnsley were only one behind, having let in 18 - and among those were eight that cost Wilson's team nine precious points.
Goals by Rod Wallace (79 minutes) and Derek Lilley (82) turned a likely win into defeat at home to Leeds in November, since when a goal given away in the last 10 minutes has cost them a point on six occasions.
First there was Paolo Di Canio's 88th-minute winner for Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, then Dion Dublin's penalty (89 minutes) at Coventry. Steve McManaman (90) inflicted defeat in the infamous battle with Liverpool at Oakwell in March, followed by Kevin Gallacher (87) at Blackburn, an Adie Moses's own goal (80) at Leeds and Alan Shearer's killer blow after 86 minutes at Newcastle.
However, before Barnsley decide their fitness trainer is to blame, it should also be pointed out that they have tended to leak alarmingly at other stages too, surrendering 18 goals between the 31st minute and half- time and 16 between half-time and the hour, including Saturday's winner by Leicester.
Statistics, of course, can mean something or nothing. Probably the best last-15-minutes team, for example, is Sheffield Wednesday, who have scored 15 goals in that period of play and let in only three, which, given their finishing position in the Premiership, falls firmly into the latter category.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments