The start of the Hourihane era is well underway at Oakwell, with his Reds side beating Emley 3-0 in their first pre-season game of the summer.
Though still very early, it was a game that provided a lot of insight into how Barnsley may set up under their new Head Coach.
Adopting a 4-2-3-1, a slight tweak from the expected 4-3-3 seen at the backend of the 2024/25 campaign, Hourihane has seemingly put his own stamp on a rejuvenated squad that looked out of ideas at points last season.
With both incomings and outgoings certain for the Yorkshire outfit, the current squad may look markedly different to what we will see come 2nd of August when they face off against Plymouth in the opening game of the season.
But with fresh new faces and ideas in the coaching squad, here’s how we think Barnsley will lineup at the start of the upcoming season.
GK: Murphy Cooper
Stevenage’s Young Player of the Season was Barnsley’s first summer arrival and will be first choice keeper for The Reds.
After an impressive loan spell at The Boro, where he kept 16 clean sheets in 37 appearances, the QPR youngster secured a new contract and his second League One loan in two years.
It is no secret that Barnsley have had issues in net this past season, having five different goalkeepers in starting roles at different points.
Murphy Cooper can hopefully be a consistent name on the team sheet in the upcoming season and add more consistency and cohesion to a backline that shipped 73 goals last campaign.
LB: Nathanael Ogbeta
The second of three new signings for Barnsley is Nathanael Ogbeta on loan from Plymouth Argyle.
Though the athletic left sided defender won’t be able to play on the opening game of the season, I expect him to feature regularly for Hourihane’s side, especially whilst young prospect Georgie Gent recovers from an injury sustained last season.
With 17 appearances in the Championship last season, he comes into the squad with decent pedigree despite his age. I expect him and Gent to be battling for a starting place throughout the season.
RCB: Jack Shepherd
Fresh from his impressive loan at Bradford, Jack Shepherd will slot straight into a struggling Barnsley back line. In what will feel like a new signing, the 24-year-old comes back to Oakwell having been one of the most dominant centre halves in League 2.
Despite Bradford’s interest in re-signing Shepherd on a permanent deal, Barnsley see him as playing a key role within the first team and it’s clear to see why. With an aerial duel success rate of 70.8% and winning over 75% of his tackles, he will provide a much needed refresh to a tired Barnsley backline.
LCB: Josh Earl
A player in and out of Barnsley lineups last season due to injury, Josh Earl is a defender who provides much more on the ball than he does off it. His passing range, combined with an ability to drive forward and break lines gives Barnsley more depth to attacking sequences.
Though not the most reliable defensively, Earl’s unique archetype alongside a more defensively solid Shepherd could create a formidable partnership at the back for The Reds going forward.
RB: Mael De Gevigney
Though potentially just experimental, MDG started at right back against Emley on Tuesday, something I can see Hourihane taking into the league if it goes well within pre-season.
Similar to Earl, he is extremely capable with the ball at his feet and often looks to break through the thirds with his long passing range and excellent composure on the ball.
These qualities, accompanied by his error prone tendencies as a centre back make the move to the right-hand side of the defence seem sensible on paper.
The question lies in his positioning. Will MDG be able to successfully convert to a right back without falling back into the positional habits he has gained over the last few years as Barnsley’s most frequently appearing centre-half?
If the answer to that question is yes, I can see MDG becoming a handy tool for Hourihane this coming season at the right back spot.
LCM: Luca Connell
As it stands the current Barnsley skipper is still at Oakwell despite rumours of two rejected bids from League One promotion rival Wycombe.
The tireless centre midfielder has dipped in performance levels in recent times, never quite reaching the heights he did under Micheal Duff. Despite this, he has quality in abundance and enough talent to be a top five player in the league.
If he stays and Barnsley, we’ll be working under a head coach that knows what it means to captain The Reds, I believe under Hourihane’s mentorship, Connell will show why he is so highly touted.
The biggest current question mark lies in if he will still be a Barnsley player come 2nd August.
RCM: Jonathan Russell
The Jamaican international is coming off his breakout season at Oakwell, scoring 11 goals and assisting twice in the league.
Russell proved many doubters wrong by becoming Barnsley’s second top scorer in the 2024/25 season. If he can replicate this form under Hourihane, it would be very hard to keep him out the first 11.
His tall stature gives him the physical quality desired for a League One midfielder, with the only hole in his game coming in the form of his lack of defensive work rate.
Alongside Luca Connell this becomes a balanced midfield that can contribute heavily in the attacking phases.
Midfield Depth
It wouldn’t be fair to discuss Barnsley’s midfield without talking about how deep the core of their squad is. I expect breakthrough youngster Jonothan Bland to challenge for a starting place after he emerged as a real talent towards the end of the season.
A returning Vimal Yonganathan will be hoping to prove his worth after a highly successful loan spell at Oldham resulted in promotion back to The Football League. Kelechi Nwkali also has bags of talent, and maybe the best passing range in the entire league.
There are that many good players in the current crop of Barnsley midfielders that it is hard to say who will emerge as favourites in Hourihane’s system.
LW: Neil Ferrugia
After the departure of Stephen Humphrys to Bradford, Barnsley were left without a clear option on the left.
Despite the recent signing of Reyes Cleary from West Brom, I can see the more experienced Neil Ferrugia stepping into the role if there are no new signings in this position.
Though traditionally a fullback, the Irishman frequently played in much higher roles for former club Shamrock and his curling goal against Emley on Tuesday gave fans a glimpse of his attacking ability.
If he can stay fit throughout the season there is no reason Ferrugia can’t player higher up the pitch consistently for a Barnsley side looking to both attack and defend on the front foot.
RW: Fabio Jalo
Although currently injured and likely to miss the start of the season, this could finally be the breakthrough year for Barnsley’s Portuguese superstar Fabio Jalo.
The Oakwell faithful were treated to some great cameos under Hourihane in the last ten matches including a brace against Bolton.
Having rejected substantial seven figure bids from a Seri A club last season, Barnsley will be hoping their patience pays off and their most promising talent can hit the ground running once he is recovered from injury.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this area of the pitch is strengthened before the closing of the summer window though, with a deal for former Huddersfield man Josh Koroma rumoured to have already fallen through.
CAM: Adam Phillips
Another name in the starting 11 that could be gone by the end of the summer, Adam Phillips has been mister reliable for The Reds since signing from Burnley in 2022.
The goal contributions monster was guilty of drifting out of games towards the tail end of last season, but much like a lot of this Barnsley side, has undeniable quality.
With 55 goal contributions to his name, there is no wonder Phillips has attracted the intrest of Championship clubs.
If Barnsley are able to keep hold of him this summer and he is in the right mindset, the sky is the limit for the 27-year-old.
ST: Davis Keillor-Dunn
If Barnsley are to challenge for promotion this season, it is essential that DKD is in a Reds shirt come the closing of the window.
His goal contributions and general play last season dragged them through the mud on multiple occasions and provided one of very few bright sparks.
Playing more as a false-9 in Hourihane’s system, DKD is a natural goal scorer with creative flare and a boundless on ball ability. With 18 goals and nominations for League One Player of the Season to his name, he has many admirers around the EFL.
Barnsley have been reported to have put an eyewatering price tag on their star man, so unless someone is paying big money, I think it is likely he stays with Barnsley at least another year.
Tactical Adjustment and transfer flexibility
As mentioned throughout this article, it is highly likely that some of the names in this starting 11 aren’t at Oakwell come the end of the transfer window.
If Phillips were to leave, I can see Keillor-Dunn dropping into a deeper position and picking up a role within a midfield three.
Barnsley are also on the lookout for a striker, if they find their man before the window slams shut, it is likely that Keillor-Dunn may be Pushed out to a wider role within a front three. The flexibility of Hourihane’s system comes from the versatility within the current Barnsley squad.
With the club needing to balance the books it is likely that some big names will be departing, but Hourihane has the side set up in a way that if one player drops out, another can fill their role seamlessly.
Whether it be in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, expect high intensity attacking football from Barnsley this season as they look to finally escape the clutches of League One.
