Wilson’s Ramage gamble pays off
DANNY Wilson says he had no qualms about throwing Peter Ramage back in at the deep end as the Barnsley defender scored a vital early winner against Rochdale – on his second debut.
Ramage spent last season on loan with the Tykes, making 25 appearances in the Championship, and rejoined on Friday for three months on loan from Crystal Palace.
The 30-year-old former Newcastle defender headed home after just ten minutes and it proved the difference.
Wilson said:“I thought the experience of Peter Ramage coming in helped us and was a big lift.
“We saw how dominant he was. He played very, very well. He knows the majority of the lads so it was a seamless transition for him to come back in.
“It was a great header and it settled us down a bit. Thankfully we got it and it gave us the confidence we needed.
“I am pleased because we showed a better reflection of what we are. The last few games we conceded too many goals but this was better.
“I thought overall it was a good game, it was entertaining. We had chances, they had chances. Thankfully we managed to get the three points which I felt the lads fully deserved.”
It was an energetic and exciting start at Spotland and the winner came when Ramage rose highest from Conor Hourihane’s corner and powered his header home from ten yards.
Dale saw plenty of possession after the goal and pushed hard for an equaliser as Ian Henderson drilled wide before Ross Turnbull was forced into a save with his legs from a Peter Vincenti shot.
The hosts continued to press after the break and the best chance fell to Matt Done, but Ramage was in the right place to deflect his 12-yard effort away for a corner.
And the Tykes could have added late gloss to the scoreline – Devante Cole was brought down inside the area by Oliver Lancashire but Hourihane saw his spot-kick well saved by Conrad Logan.
Rochdale assistant Chris Beech said:“I think Conrad psyched Conor out before he put the ball down, he was making sure that ball wasn’t going in his net and it was a great save.
“But we counted four or five good chances in and around their goal so looking at that you’d like to think one would go in.
“They generally have done this season but of course it didn’t quite go in and goals change games.
“We spoke before the game, we could’ve chosen four or five different players to start against Barnsley.
“Of course we didn’t have our A game, we were close to it, but we didn’t quite finish opportunities.”