From the selfish perspective of a Bradford City fan, when I look at the position that the recently angrier Tykes’ fans are in, I am envious.
However, when you look at where they have been in the last decade and how close they have come to success over the past couple of seasons, the unrest this season’s mediocrity has caused is more understandable.
They recently sacked manager Darrell Clarke as they limped out of the playoff race and found themselves eight points adrift of the playoff picture.
Poor home form was ultimately Clarke’s downfall, with his side only managing to win five of their 18 outings at Oakwell.
Interim boss and former Tykes skipper Conor Hourihane’s start to life in the dugout has not been much of a revolution either; Barnsley FC are yet to win after two games which have both come against sides near the foot of the League One table.
So, what needs to happen to turn them back into contenders?
Head Coach Of Barnsley FC
I think it would be daft to completely write Barnsley’s current season off, as stranger things have happened, but it’s highly unlikely that they will make the play-offs given the slump they seem to be in and so it is highly likely that they see the 24/25 campaign out with Hourihane in the hot seat.
Going forward, with a weaker League One expected next season, the Tykes have every chance of success next year and should be ambitious yet sensible in their search for a new head coach.
The Tykes have had 12 managers over the last decade, and so longevity and continuity is a must for the next boss – someone who can build a winning culture and build something.
The man I am suggesting has done all that before, he’s no stranger to South Yorkshire either – Paul Warne won three promotions with neighbours Rotherham between 2016 and 2022.
Two of his four League One promotions have come in the last four seasons. He got Rotherham promoted automatically to the championship in 21/22 for the third time in his stay there.
More recently, he saw his Derby side up in the same position just last campaign, making it four times that he has been promoted to the championship.
I believe that if anyone can get a grip of a Barnsley side that is underachieving with a real high end of League One squad, it is Warne.
The geography works too, all his work has been in/bordering South Yorkshire, so I think he’d happily roll up his sleeves and take on this project.
Recruitment
Given that Warne does get the job, let’s look at some players he might look to bring to Oakwell to play in his preferred 4-2-3-1 shape.
Warne seems to be very much of the attitude that ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’; however, he does seem to like a balance of seasoned pros alongside the younger lads.
The absolute priority for the Tykes is fixing their defence; they rank 22nd for clean sheets in League One with just six, and they also rank 17th for goals conceded per game (1.4).
Warne’s derby side, for comparison, ranked 1st for the same statistic in 23/24 with just 0.8 goals conceded per game.
I think it will be a struggle for Barnsley FC to keep a hold of star-man Luca Connell. He’s well above the level and will no doubt have clubs sniffing around in the summer.
So, they’ll need someone to replace him as a priority, as well as some presence at the back.
In midfield, I think they will go for a younger option, and an ambitious option could be current Notts Forest loanee, Jamie McDonnell.
He’s had a fantastic season at Colchester United in midfield with an average rating of 7.4 (via FOTMOB).
He ranks 2nd in League Two for successful tackles per 90 (2.8). And has been a real ball winner for the U’s in their playoff push.
His defensive stats are well clear of Luca Connell’s numbers, but an extra ball winner to protect a fragile backline could benefit Barnsley next year.
In defence, I believe they have one of the best left-footed centre-halves returning for next season.
Jack Shepherd has been unbelievable for Bradford City this season on the left side of a back three and will no doubt improve a very shaky defence at Oakwell.
Finally, the missing piece for Barnsley FC is a prolific striker. I know it is stating the obvious, but goals win games, and Barnsley haven’t scored enough of them to compensate for the amount that they have shipped in.
There are two options for them: another loan… or a slightly risky bid for a man in league two.
Stoke pointlessly recalled their starlet Nathan Lowe from Walsall this January, and I can’t see him getting games for them next season – particularly if Stoke remain in the championship.
He scored 15 goals for The Saddlers in just the first half of the season, outperforming his xG of just 12.65. The slump that Walsall have had since his departure just shows how crucial he was.
The other option is Wimbledon’s Matty Stevens, who has scored 17 in League Two this season. Again, a very prolific goal scorer and perhaps a better fit as there is the danger that Lowe could again be recalled if he performs as he did for Walsall.
What direction should Barnsley FC go in?
