Highlighting four positives from Barnsley 3 - 0 Crewe Alexandra

Looking back on a professional performance from the reds yesterday in the 3-0 win over League Two side Crewe Alexandra in the second round of the FA Cup, we identified four positives from the game.

Goal King Cole

Although Luca Connell was voted man of the match and fair play as he was in the thick of it all game, Devante Cole was my man of the match given how he shone brightly for 71 minutes. In fact, Cole was the Reds outstanding performer in a first half that took at least 20 minutes to really get going.

As Crewe were happy to sit back and defend in numbers it all got a little pedestrian for Barnsley but Cole was the one who tried to up the pace and had several good turns and runs at the visitors forcing them on the back foot. When Barnsley went side to side and waited for an opening it was Cole who took the fight to Crewe and deserved his 6th goal of the season knocking in from close range after a Mads Andersen knock down after a decent Connell corner.

At this rate Cole is on to hit double figures, something I thought he may struggle to do given last season's form, but fair play to Cole for working so hard in games and according to Michael Duff in training too. Cole is now getting his rewards for a fine attitude and some better service.

Attack v Defence

Given the visitors had nothing to lose from this fixture, it was surprising to see how defensive they were from the outset. They allowed the reds the ball and rarely threatened on the break although the front two of Crewe looked to have some pace about them.

Throughout the game but certainly in the first half it was a case of attack v defence with the reds having 12 shots to the visitors 1 in the first half. Given those circumstances it was no real surprise that the game seemed flat with the reds probing patiently and with a crowd of less than 4,000 the game had a feel of a training session. Once Cole opened the scoring, everyone settled and any nerves that may have been about to start to jangle disappeared.

The Reds came out after half time and stepped up the tempo pressing better and upping the tempo resulting in winning the ball higher up the pitch which is where the Reds two further goals came from. Connell was heavily involved in winning the ball back and fair play to the referee in playing advantage for the second goal when Herbie Kane was clattered in the build up.

4 goals in 5 games for Adam Phillips

Adam Phillips has this uncanny ability to ghost into the penalty area and with a great shot on him has helped in scoring 4 goals in his last 5 games.

Whilst Phillips does not appear to influence the game like a Luca Connell or have the impact of the wing backs, he has been quietly going about his job with aplomb. Often filling in for Jordan Williams each time he bombs forward or in yesterday's case Josh Benson, Phillips reliably goes about being a team player. Yet in recent games, his goals have come from ghosting in late on not being picked up by the opposition and letting fly with a great shot on him. It is a good trait to have in the side when the goals are being shared about and not just reliant on the strikers.

Reds got the job done

Barnsley avoided a potential banana skin yesterday. Against a side from a lower division who hadn't conceded in over 6 hours of football with a flat atmosphere and plenty at stake with a third round draw on Monday, Barnsley got the job done with the minimum of fuss in the end.

There were plenty of positives in Cole getting his 6th goal of the campaign, Benson scoring his 5th and playing well in an unfamiliar role of right wing back and Phillips continuing his great scoring record.

Jack Walton had very little to do but when called upon he made two very good saves to keep a clean sheet. There was even room to save a few legs by making several substitutions and wrapping a few in cotton wool before the hectic December schedule starts.

So the reds march on. Five wins out of six in all competitions and bouncing back from a poor showing at Port Vale in the Papa Johns Trophy. Here's hoping for a good tie in the third round draw which takes place on Monday.