Barnsley v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's big match preview

BARNSLEY goalkeeper David Watson could have been forgiven for calling in sick before last Saturday's trip to Old Trafford.

But the natives are made of sterner stuff in what was once termed the Republic of South Yorkshire.

And it's just as well, because local lad Watson has had to show all the traditional character associated with Oakwell teams of the past.

When the going got tough, 23-year-old Watson simply had to keep going and, to his great credit, that's just what he has done despite the sort of results which suggest he's been standing in the middle of shooting gallery.

A 6-0 thrashing at home by Chelsea, a five-goal beating at Highbury and Saturday's seven-goal savaging at Old Trafford have been the worst moments for a keeper, who has packed more than 150 League games into his still-developing career.

Throw in a couple of fours, at Everton and Wimbledon, and it spells a traumatic time for Watson whose only reprieve came when he suffered concussion and bruised kidneys during an early-season clash with Bolton.

That sidelined him for three games but he was soon back in the firing line and showing true Yorkshire grit, which will be one of the biggest obstacles to Blackburn Rovers' hopes of maintaining their unbeaten away record at Oakwell tomorrow.

Watson's finest moment so far came a few days before the Old Trafford debacle when Sky TV viewers were able to appreciate the strengths of the man between the sticks.

The keeper was man of the match against Coventry as Barnsley claimed their first Premiership victory since August.

He made seven outstanding saves and was described as "inspired" by his manager Danny Wilson. True, it was back to 'normal' at Old Trafford but Wilson has had plenty of good things to say about his shell-shocked keeper who is still learning about life in the top flight - but getting plenty of lessons!

"It's been difficult for David because of the amount of goals he has let in this season," said Wilson.

"You can't really single out David for the blame on a lot of the goals because the boys in front of him have been jittery for long periods of the season and goals were flying in left, right and centre.

"But he has gone out there and shown what a good goalkeeper he is. We've had to pick him up on a couple of occasions because keepers take it personally when they concede a lot of goals.

"It was important we kept him bubbling. The lad has worked his socks off over the last two to three weeks in training.

"That's all you can do in those situations. You can't go moping around and feeling sorry for yourself.

"You've got to stand up and take it on the chin."

Watson's performance in that last home game against Coventry was crucial in ending a run of six successive League defeats.

And finding himself compared to England international Tim Flowers tomorrow might just inspire Watson to more heroics.

Flowers is now close to peak performance, aiming to get himself back in the frame for next summer's World Cup finals.

There's a vast gulf in experience and achievement between the two men but Watson seems to have the right attitude. "It can be difficult when goals are flying past you," he said.

"But I've had a break and I've worked hard on the training ground.

"You can't lose your confidence even when every mistake you're making is getting punished.

"I've worked at it and put things right and now I've just got to keep it going."

Our Carling Opta head-to-head comparison between the two keepers emphasises Watson's strength - his shot-stopping qualities.

In 845 mins on the pitch, he has made 42 saves averaging around five per game.

A save success rate of 59 per cent is not as impressive as Flowers' 78 per cent but, to be fair, Barnsley's defence has often been run ragged as 29 goals conceded suggests.

One area he does need to work on is his distribution.

Rovers will be looking to increase the pressure on Watson and his fellow defenders tomorrow but it's also a safe bet that the young man will receive a few words of encouragement after the game from Flowers - one of the stars he aspires to emulate.

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