Surely Bassi cannot do it
IAN MURTAGH
but we did not want to show them too much respect,” said boss Poya Asbaghi. “We were really aggressive from the start.
“We are playing better football now and feel we have momentum.”
His mood was in stark contrast to Wilder who said: “The first 15 minutes cost us and the attitude of our back three.
“The back three were dominated by them and the goals we are conceding at the moment are ridiculous. We’re shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Andersen marked his 100th Barnsley start with his second senior goal, meeting Bassi’s cross with a downward header.
Sluggish Boro were two down when Bassi opened his Tykes account following his loan move from Metz.
The midfielder outfoxed Dael Fry before finding the bottom corner with a 20-yard
IS the Great Escape on again for Barnsley?
Do not rule out another
Houdini act after the Tykes notched up a third win in four games to stun Chris
Wilder’s promotion hopefuls.
Barnsley still have a mountain to climb but history suggests it is not
Mission Impossible.
After all, this is the time of year they produce their now customary hot streak.
Twelve months ago, they won seven in a row to go from relegation fodder to play-off contenders and two years daisycutter. back lost just four of their Boro started the secondhalf last 14 games to stay up. brightly, but Bassi
The Oakwell crowd are seized on an Anfernee starting to believe. Djiksteel mistake to score.
They have not had much Wilder’s men had to shout about lately, but chances to rescue a point. when Moroccan Amine Andraz Sporar converted Bassi made it 3-0 in the a penalty on 61 minutes – 54th minute with his after Isaiah Jones was second of the game after fouled – Folarin Balogun Mads Andersen broke the twice hit the post and deadlock early on, they Aaron Connolly had an were singing, ‘The Reds are effort disallowed before staying up.’ Fry’s cross went in off Liam
“Boro are a good team Kitching in injury-time. BARNSLEY: Collins 6; Williams 6, Andersen 7, Helik 7, Vita 6 (Kitching 68, 5); Styles 6, Gomes 6; Quinia 6, Bassi 8 (Brittain 69, 6), Wolfe 7; Morris 7 (Cole 77, 5).
Subs not used: Walton, Benson, Palmer, Halme.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Lumley 4; Dijksteel 5, Fry 5, McNair 5; Jones 6, Siliki 4 (Balogun 45, 7) Howson 6, Tavernier 6, Taylor 5 (Boyd-Munce 69, 6); Watmore 4 (Connolly 45, 6), Sporar 5 Subs not used: Peltier, Bamba, Daniels, Coburn.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Amine Bassi. Made one, scored two. A good afternoon’s work. REFEREE: James Linington 7