Media View: Expert insight on Barnsley

Jason Tindall’s team suffered their first home defeat of the season on Tuesday when Preston North End triumphed 3-2 at Vitality Stadium.

While the Cherries were losing to the Lilywhites, Barnsley were maintaining their impressive form under new head coach Valerien Ismael.

Cauley Woodrow’s penalty, his sixth goal of the season, and a Callum Styles effort six minutes from time saw them come from behind to win 2-1 at Birmingham.

Since his appointment in October, Ismael (pictured below) has presided over five wins and three defeats, the Tykes also beating QPR (3-0), Watford (1-0), Derby (2-0) and Nottingham Forest (2-0).

Previous boss Gerhard Struber parted company with the club after they had taken just three points from their first six games in the Championship.

Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Doug O’Kane who covers the fortunes of Barnsley for the Barnsley Chronicle.

BARNSLEY IN PROFILE

Head coach: Valerien Ismael (October 2020)

Club captain: Alex Mowatt

Last game: Birmingham City 1-2 Barnsley (Championship)

Leading goalscorer 2020/21: Cauley Woodrow (six in all competitions)

League position: 14th

Past six league results: LWWLLW

afcb.co.uk: How has the season gone so far for the Tykes? 

DOK: Many fans, and staff, hoped the dramatic run to survival at the end of last season would lead to a mid-table finish at least this season.

That was questioned when they did not win any of their first seven league matches, their joint longest wait for a first league win in a century.

But, since Valerien Ismael has arrived, they have won five out of eight and are looking to push into the top half.

afcb.co.uk: What was your opinion on the change of manager? 

DOK: Gerhard Struber (pictured above) did an incredible job to keep Barnsley up last season, coming in towards the end of a 17-game winless run and saving them despite being nine points adrift with 14 matches left.

He decided to return to the ‘Red Bull’ family of football clubs, having worked at their Salzburg club and now moving to their New York team.

It was a disappointing end to what had looked to be a very promising spell. 

afcb.co.uk: How have things changed under Valerien Ismael?

DOK: The football under him is a little bit more direct, in that they get the ball forward faster and earlier.

They have had far less possession and made fewer passes than before, but the important numbers of goals, points and wins are going in the other direction.

They have also changed to 3-4-3 from 3-5-2 but overall he has just given the club a lift as a respected former player for Bayern Munich as well as an impressive coach. 

afcb.co.uk: Seeing H Kane on the Barnsley team-sheet must strike fear in opponents – what can you tell us about Herbie Kane (pictured above)?

DOK: He signed from Liverpool for a fee believed to be £1.25m which is a lot for Barnsley.

He had to wait for his chance due to the form of the other deadline day signing in central midfield Matty James, making his first seven appearances off the bench.

But he has started both games this week and done well. He’s a good passer, a dead-ball expert and he also has a long throw. 

afcb.co.uk: Are any players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?   

DOK: Jordan Williams is a doubt while his fellow full-back Ben Williams is definitely out injured, along with midfielder Mike Bahre. 

afcb.co.uk: Who is Barnsley’s one to watch?

DOK: Cauley Woodrow is the top scorer with six goals this season and he notched his 40th for the club in his 92nd game on Tuesday.

But arguably the story of the season has been Callum Styles (pictured above), a 20-year-old central midfielder who has been converted to left wing-back and has been exceptional – netting Barnsley’s last two winners with fine strikes from the edge of the box. 

afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction? 

DOK: 2-1 to Barnsley 

You can follow Doug on Twitter – @dougokane88

Officials: Keith Stroud (referee), Mark Jones (assistant), Mark Russell (assistant), Tony Harrington (fourth official).