Barnsley’s inconsistency in this and previous seasons has become one of the defining themes of their campaign, with strong performances often followed by flat, disjointed displays that stall momentum.
Supporters have seen enough flashes of quality to know the team is capable of more, yet those moments rarely translate into sustained runs of form.
The result is a side caught between transition and expectation, trying to evolve its identity while dealing with the realities of squad turnover, youth, and a demanding League One schedule.
This article aims to break the Reds’ problems down, section by section…
Barnsley’s attack has been rebuilt multiple times, and losing Davis Keillor‑Dunn mid‑season removed their most reliable source of goals and creativity.
The team has scored 50 league goals (1.67 per match), which is strong compared to the League One average, but their overall output has dipped since his departure.
Their goal difference sits at –2, showing that scoring hasn’t been the main issue, sustaining attacking threat without their former talisman has.
Compared to top‑six sides, who typically have at least one 15–20 goal striker by this stage, Barnsley’s reliance on shared scoring makes them more volatile week to week.
Barnsley’s squad leans heavily on young players, and young teams rarely deliver consistent performances.
This shows up in their defensive record: they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 28 of 30 league matches, the second‑worst defensive consistency in the division.
For comparison, promotion‑chasing sides like Bolton, Cardiff and Stevenage typically keep clean sheets in 35–45% of their matches.
Barnsley’s rate is under 10%, which naturally leads to unpredictable results.
However, this youthful core is also where much of Barnsley’s long‑term potential lies. Players like Reyes Cleary and Patrick Kelly embody both the promise and the unpredictability that come with development.
Cleary has shown he can be a match‑winner with his power, directness and ability to create chances out of nothing.
Yet, he also has games where he fades or struggles with the physical demands of senior football.
Kelly, meanwhile, brings intelligence, composure and creativity between the lines, but like many young midfielders, he can drift in and out of matches as he learns how to influence games consistently at League One level.
This blend of high ceiling and natural inconsistency means Barnsley can look dynamic and dangerous when their young talents click, but disjointed and flat when they don’t.
It’s a normal part of a developing squad, but it’s also a major reason why the team’s performances fluctuate so sharply from week to week.
Barnsley’s away form is one of the biggest anchors on their season.
They have earned just 14 points from 15 away matches, averaging 0.93 points per game, which ranks among the bottom six away records in League One.
They are also winless in their last eight away games and have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four on the road.
By contrast, top‑half clubs typically average 1.3–1.6 points per away match.
Barnsley’s inability to pick up results away from Oakwell resets momentum every time they begin to build form.
Barnsley’s inconsistency is also tied to a tactical identity that isn’t fully settled.
The team sits between the direct, high‑energy style of previous seasons and the more controlled, possession‑based approach Conor Hourihane is trying to build.
That halfway point shows up in the numbers: Barnsley score regularly but concede even more, and matches often swing in momentum because the team struggles to stay compact when they lose the ball.
Defensively, the structure breaks too easily. When full‑backs push high, the midfield doesn’t always cover, leaving centre‑backs exposed in transition.
Promising spells of possession often end with rushed decisions or poor spacing, and when the ball is lost, Barnsley aren’t set up to defend the counter.
Set‑piece organisation has also been inconsistent, costing them points in tight games.
Compared to more settled League One sides like Bolton or Stevenage.
In which, those teams have clear patterns in and out of possession and Barnsley are still learning the details of their system.
When the spacing and pressing cues are right, they look competitive; when they aren’t, the team becomes stretched and vulnerable, which feeds directly into their stop‑start form.
Barnsley score at a good rate (1.67 per match), but they lack a striker who can deliver 15–20 goals across a season.
McGoldrick has nine, Cleary has ten, and Banks has four – solid numbers, but not enough to carry a team through difficult spells.
Top‑six sides typically have at least one forward with 12–18 goals by this stage. Without that focal point, Barnsley rely on shared scoring, which naturally fluctuates and contributes to streaky form.
Barnsley’s form chart shows a team that struggles to build momentum: W D L W D L in their last six.
This pattern, win, draw, loss, win, draw, loss is the definition of inconsistency.
Combined with a poor away record and constant defensive concessions, confidence becomes fragile.
A single setback often leads to a run of dropped points, especially away from home.
Barnsley are ultimately inconsistent because:
The numbers show a side capable of scoring with the best in the division – but defending like one of the worst. Until that balance shifts, inconsistency will remain the defining feature of their season.
