Barnsley 3-1 MK Dons: 5 things we learned

It is fair to say that Barnsley have bounced back from that poor run in October now sitting 6th in the table after comfortably dispatching Forest Green and Mk Dons at Oakwell and fine wins on the road at Shrewsbury and Bolton in the FA Cup. During this revival, the reds have only conceded two goals and have a formation that suits how Michael Duff wants his side to play.

Reds controlled the game for large periods

Yesterday saw the reds fly out of the traps at the start of both halves totally dominating the visitors for the first twenty minutes of the first half. Playing much higher up the pitch, pressurising the opposition meant the reds turned the ball over much better never allowing MK Dons to settle into the game.

The positive start to the second half was just what everyone needed after seeing the reds go in at half time level after the visitors scored with their first shot. Maybe a few words were said at half time but it certainly worked as the reds controlled the game and had it won in plenty of time such was their dominance.

Creating chances

For fear of repeating myself, the 3-5-2 formation is the main reason the reds are now putting in better performances. With Jordan Williams and Nicky Cadden high up the pitch with both contributing in assists and goals then dropping back into a defensive five without the ball, the reds have become defensively tighter and a threat on the attack.

Nicky Cadden swung in some dangerous crosses from the first few minutes which caused MK Dons problems. Had Phillips put the early chance away inside the penalty area, Cadden would have had even more assists to his name. The cross for the second goal was pinpoint for Phillips to head home unmarked, that goal settled the reds down and after that there was only going to be one winner.

Connell and Kane partnership

It has been difficult to settle on a midfield partnership this season as Benson, Connell and Kane have shown mixed form at various times and picked up the odd injury yet over the last few weeks Connell and Kane have developed a partnership that has worked well.

Connell adds some defensive steel in front of the back three and does a lot of the “dirty” work that often goes unseen by breaking up the opposition play and winning the ball back. Connell often keeps it simple, playing neat passes into the likes of Kane or out wide to the wing backs.

With Connell sitting depper, this allows Kane to push further forward to see more of the ball and be heavily involved in attacks. Over recent weeks Kane has wanted to get on the ball and shown an attacking intent in his play. Whilst many are still yet to be convinced by Kane in a Barnsley shirt, no one can deny his recent performances have been much improved. It was nice to see him get on the scoresheet with his well taken goal which made the scoreline better reflect the domination the reds had yesterday. At this rate Josh Benson will struggle to break into the Barnsley midfield ahead of Connell and Kane.

Time to be more clinical

Some supporters will point to the fact the reds have played three poor sides in the league recently and should be beating those sides. Yet in League One any side on their day can beat anyone and you can only beat what’s in front of you.

The slight wobble in the second part of the first half when the reds took their foot of the gas and MK Dons scored with their first shot had a few grumbling in the stands. One area everyone would like us to improve is in front of goal. Whilst the reds defence is one of the tightest in the league, Barnsley are now starting to create several chances per game.

At Boton in the cup the reds should have scored many more on the counter attack. The same could be said at home to Forest Green when the reds squandered chances to really embarrass the visitors. Yesterday, the reds were so on top that in reality they should have gone in at halftime with a clear lead after squandering several chances. You have to take advantage when you are on top. Thankfully it hasn’t come back to bite the reds in recent games and whilst it is great to see us carving out chances, we need to be more clinical in front of goal.

Hard to pick a man of the match

Barnsley put in such a team performance it is difficult to name a man of the match. Despite MK Dons rarely threatening Mads Andersen was once again a rock at the back as was Liam Kitching who put in some great last ditch tackles.

The goalscorer Phillips took his goal well and drops in to allow Williams to bomb upfield. Williams himself took his goal well and was a threat down the wing. For me Cadden and Kane were the top performers.

Cadden assisted Phillips’ goal, swung many decent crosses into the opposition area and Kane fully deserved his goal for a fine positive performance in central midfield.

Overall it was pleasing to see the reds control the majority of the game at Oakwell. Whilst MK Dons are low down in the table they are no mugs with plenty of experience in their ranks. With three wins on the road so far this season, this could have been a banana skin for the reds but Barnsley dictated the pace of the game for large periods and thoroughly deserved the three points.