Analysis of Barnsley's EFL Cup win over Sheffield United on Tuesday. Max Watters got the only goal early in the second half.
REDS END 185-DAY WAIT FOR HOME VICTORY
AFTER a 185-day wait, Barnsley tasted victory at Oakwell again on Tuesday night.
Since the 2-1 win over Derby County in late February, the Reds had not won for ten home games – with embarrassments such as the 5-1 thumping by Lincoln, the 2-0 loss to lowly Cambridge and the opening day defeat to Mansfield this season.
As the club record of 12 without at home win loomed into view, the crowd was just over 10,000 with those in the packed away end almost outnumbering the smattering of fans thinly spread across the home stands.
There seemed to be an apathy around some of the fanbase – often worse for a football club than anger – due to the home form plus the lack of signings, especially up front.
But those who attended this derby got behind their team and will have enjoyed a victory and performance which hinted at better to come at home this season. There was a warm reception for the players at the final whistle and the chants of ‘USA!’ were back as Gabriel Slonina and Donovan Pines played key roles in the late defensive heroics.
Of course this is only the start. The Reds need to secure that first league win at home then get well into double figures for Oakwell victories this season if they are to challenge for the top six. But it is a good start and, coupled with a positive end to the window and more encouraging results and performances, will help them to build positivity and re-engage some supporters.
The Reds had also ended a long winless home run – the club record 12-game sequence – against Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United in 2018 under Jose Morais, with their goalkeeper that night, Adam Davies, in goal for the Blades this time.
A GOOD TEMPLATE PERFORMANCE FOR WHOLE SEASON
After holding their own in the first half which the Blades just edged, the Reds upped their game after the break and really rattled their visitors with a some excellent pressing - including for their fine goal. Barnsley were well on top for the first 20 minutes of the second period.
United eventually came back into the match, after making several changes including bringing on the influential Gustavo Hamer, but the Reds showed great resilience to hold on while deserving their fortune of poor Blades finishing.
It was a different test to most home League One games, in which the Reds are usually favourites and have to break down defensive opponents, but the organisation, defending and guts they showed are a template they need to follow to compete for promotion. It is something to build on going into the next league games.
Although they played several youngsters, and made 11 changes from their last league game – compared to Barnsley’s three –United’s squad had been put together for more than £70million and included six internationals. They were in the Premier League last season and are among the favourites to return there.
While the visitors brought on £15million Hamer for £22million signing Rhian Brewster, Barnsley had to introduce a right-back signed from Woking up front.
Barnsley were more than just grit and determination, their tactics were clever and worked. Barry Cotter was sometimes part of a back five with Josh Earl a fellow wing-back but, at other times, moved onto the right wing or the right of a diamond midfield with Earl tucked in at left-back in a back four.
Cotter was excellent with explosive and skilful runs in attack as well as tremendous recovery pace in defence, also playing a key role in the goal.
RARE APPEARANCE IN THIRD ROUND
The last time the Reds fans witnessed a home win in the EFL Cup was 2017 when first Morecambe then Derby were beaten. There has been one since, against Nottingham Forest in 2021, but it was behind closed doors.
The league is obviously more important to the club but this was still a derby against a local rival in a competition which could lead to more lucrative and high-profile games.
They are now in the third round for the first time since 2021 when they lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and will hope for another exciting tie in Wednesday’s draw.
WATTERS REVIVAL CONTINUES
What a week it has been for Watters. After ending a nine-month wait for a Barnsley goal on Saturday, he opened the scoring again in midweek and this time it was the winner.
Having been exiled to the under 21s last season, he has been given a second chance by Darrell Clarke, whose more direct style suits him, and is starting to take it. While other strikers are set to arrive before the window shuts, Watters is currently deserving of a starting spot.
He has now scored winners against both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United for the Reds and, although the 17 months in between have been very tough, those are the kind of moments that can forge successful stints with the club.
His goal, seven minutes after the interval, came from a fine team move. Aiden Marsh challenged for a Mael de Gevigney throw near halfway, won the ball and found Cotter whose excellent pass down the right set Adam Phillips free to whip in a low cross which Watters turned in from close range.
Watters also did well to win some long balls which he headed or chested back to runners, while his own powerful running and tireless work-rate made him a handful for the Blades defence.
He now returns to his former club Crawley on Saturday possibly with more confidence than he has ever had in a Reds shirt, certainly since signing permanently last summer.
Clarke said Sam Cosgrove was nursing a slight injury so his only fit strikers were Watters and Marsh, who had possibly his best game for the club. The young homegrown striker led the press and rattled United, the club who released him as a teenager. Like Watters, you wonder what one goal would have done for his confidence and career.
GAME MANAGEMENT MUCH IMPROVED AS REDS SURVIVE LATE ONSLAUGHT
The last time Barnsley kept a clean sheet, Darrell Clarke was in the Oakwell dugout – but the away one, as Cheltenham Town boss in a goalless stalemate last March. Barnsley had conceded 30 goals in the following 15 matches.
The Reds had folded late on in the two home games when 2-0 up across the previous week, losing to Manchester United under 21s in the EFL Cup and drawing with Northampton in the league.
This game was probably the best excuse to throw a lead away, given the quality they were facing, but they showed great tenacity and never-say-die attitude to see the win out.
Clarke was furious after Saturday and still on Monday when he ‘gave it to’ his players again, because of their poor game management against Northampton. But he praised that aspect of their game in midweek.
Goalkeeper Slonina cost his side the equaliser on Saturday but helped put them on Tuesday with a series of good saves late on.
Pines – who was injured in the first game of the winless home run and had not started there again until this game – led the defence, making a series of series of clearances.
Marc Roberts, Mael de Gevigney and Earl also contributed to the heroic rearguard action – backed by a supporting cast of hard-working midfielders and strikers.
Luca Connell, who made a big tackle in the opening seconds, and Adam Phillips impressed both in attack and their workrate and defending – looking very much like Championship midfielders in waiting, with the Reds hoping the wait goes beyond this week’s deadline. They were joined by teenager Vimal Yoganathan who impressed again in a cup competition and is surely close to a first league appearance.
