Barnsley Vs Plymouth: Match Review

With the Reds annihilating Plymouth 3-0 in a very important top-of-the-table clash, the race for 2nd place has blown wider than we have seen before with the reds emerging as favourites to snatch the position in the latter stages of the remaining games left, despite having some season-altering fixtures only a matter of days away.

League table as it stands

2nd place race

With the reds turning over Plymouth in a very convincing fashion, the gap between the two sides shortens to 8 points with 2 very decisive games in hand for Barnsley leaving them with the chance to clinch 2nd place in their hands. With Ipswich still left to play just around the corner, the lads have the perfect opportunity to steal points from these neighbouring teams and benefit from the games in hands to creep further and further up the table. Plymouth however still have a very easy run of games in terms of the opposing sides league positions, though we mustn’t belittle these sides as a large amount will be battling for survival around the relegation zone which will by far put Plymouth to the ultimate test if they are to achieve automatic promotion. As for Ipswich they are still left to play play-off contenders Wycombe Wanderers who face Barnsley next Saturday, as well as other top teams such as Peterborough United and and Derby County. With Barnsley breezing past the tough and upcoming fixtures, surely we will see the 2nd place race go down to the wire and potentially all come down to the final day…

Best midfield in the league?

From goal-scoring machine Adam Philips, to Luca Connell’s work ethic and Herbie Kanes magic feet, these lads by far have proven to be one of if not the best midfield in the league having contributed to a staggering total of 27 goal contributions in the league and being the core of this Barnsley side. Philips continued his goal scoring form at the weekend after rifling his 7th goal of the season into the bottom right-hand corner to put the reds in the lead in the 60th minute. As for Kane and Connell, over the weeks the two have created more chances in the team than any other player which was shown with Kane winning Man of the match which was fully deserved after putting in one of his best performances, whilst also scoring in the first half just for it to be ruled out for a controversial offside call by the linesman. Luca Connell has shown for weeks he has the traits and charisma of a true captain and has made Barnsley fans scratch their heads on the question how did we get the lad on a free. Connell could have scored the first goal of the game against Plymouth however he scuffed his shot wide, but fortunately it did not come back to haunt him as the reds completely took the second half by storm.

Fine form and upcoming fixtures

After the 3-0 win on Saturday against Plymouth, that puts us on a 10 game unbeaten streak with the last defeat coming way back in January against Charlton away from home showing how far the team has come over the last few months and how Michael Duff has hit the nail on the head with shaping the side to be serious contenders for promotion. As well as our continued unbeaten streak, the Reds have scored the most goals since February than any other team within the top 4 leagues in England proving how the reds have been relentless in front of goal and have capitalised on the mistakes made from the opposing sides. As for the upcoming fixtures the reds will be again put to the test with them having to play Wycombe away from home and the long-awaited South Yorkshire derby against high-fliers Sheffield Wednesday on a Tuesday night. These games are the ones that points need to be gained on to primarily take points from surrounding teams and give us the highest chance of finishing 2nd. With Wednesday unbeaten since October and having the best defence in the league racking up an impressive 21 clean sheets, if any team is to bring their reign to a halt, surely it’s us!