3 things we learnt from Barnsley 3-1 Charlton

As Barnsley looked to extend their unbeaten run to 5 games in all competitions with Charlton seeking their first league win in 6 games and the first away from home this season we look at 3 things we learnt from Saturday's game at Oakwell.

Consistency and confidence is growing

After a turbulent last year, the Tykes look to settle down under Michael Duff and build some consistency but that takes time. We are starting to see players like Josh Benson, Devante Cole and Herbie Kane all wanting to get on the ball and be positive with it.

In Cole, we have a striker who now demands the ball at his feet, turns and runs at defenders, He is making runs that he previously has failed to do and at one point in the first half Cole had the ball out on the left with seemingly nowhere to go yet with a turn and a run toward goal he won his side a corner. In the 54th minute, Cole picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, drove into the box to the byline and pulled the ball across to Norwood whose clever finish took the pressure of the reds.

For all Cole`s hardwork and runs, he was rewarded with a tap in from a superb team goal that started on the halfway line. Some great short passes in midfield set the reds up with a superb run from Jordan Williams who beat two men to square the ball and put it on a plate for Cole.

Josh Benson is like a new signing. Always wanting the ball, getting his head up and driving the reds on he also has a decent strike on him. For the opening goal, despite being well out with no defenders closing him down Benson hit a beauty into the top left hand corner. His shot went like a rocket and there can be little doubt his goal should win goal of the day in all leagues. After last season it is encouraging to see players now wanting the ball and play some neat one-twos especially in midfield.

Barnsley fullbacks struggled against the pace of Taylor and Rak-Sakyi.

It was surprising to see Tom Edwards fill in at left back for the suspended Liam Kitching. Although in the first half Edwards made some great goal saving challenges, Charlton`s ball over the top coupled with the pace of wingers Blackett Taylor and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi had both Williams and Edwards having a tough time coping. The main threat from Charlton came from the wings and manager Michael Duff had some head scratching to do to try to stifle the opposition's threat.

After a few wise words from Duff at half time and Cadden dropping back to help out Edwards in defensive duties, the threat disappeared from the visitors. Despite the tough first half Williams then became a threat going forward and set up Cole for the reds third goal.

James Norwood is a natural goalscorer

Just prior to Norwood scoring the reds second goal, I was feeling sorry for the forward as he had fed on scraps all game. Chasing lost causes, long balls and little supply to his feet Norwood cut a lone figure upfront. Despite that you know that if you give him one chance he will take it.

Like his goal last week at Cambridge after coming off the bench, you only need to give him one chance and he knows where the net is. Whilst his fitness is not quite there to play a full 90 minutes, at this rate Barnsley do not need him on the pitch for that long for him to make his mark. Thankfully Norwood decided to carry on driving to South Yorkshire to sign for the reds and ignored those phone calls from other clubs.

Barnsley managed to weather some shaky moments later in the first half, but after half time settled down and stopped the threat from Charlton whilst managing to take the game away from the visitors with a couple of great goals. With a couple of winnable games against Fleetwood and Exeter City coming up, the reds are in a good position to cement a place within the play offs.