Analysis from Barnsley's 2-0 win at Shrewsbury Town, with Jon Russell and Max Watters netting either side of half-time.
REDS CRUISE TO WIN OVER STRUGGLING SHREWS
THE TAMING of the Shrews is the obvious headline for this one-sided match while Barnsley goalkeeper Ben Killip could have read a chapter or two of the Shakespeare play during the game without imperilling his team.
Shrewsbury were so shockingly bad that it is hard to assess how good this result is and where the Reds are currently in terms of challenging for the top six.
But they got the job done professionally and comfortably, completing a seven-point week during which they have played far better than their poor performances earlier in the month.
A tally of 22 points from 13 games is very healthy and they now have a fortnight away from the league with two cup games before a big South Yorkshire derby at home to Rotherham on November 8.
That will be a step up from Shrewsbury who were third-bottom, three points off safety, with two wins in 20 going back to March while they had only won two of their last 16 home games.
They looked like an inept, low-quality side with no idea how to break Barnsley down.
Barnsley started well, and missed a big early chance, then got sucked into a dull and physical battle with the struggling hosts. But two quality finishes either side of the break put them in control and could have won by more, missing three one-on-ones and cruising through the sleepy last half an hour in the Shropshire sun.
The stadium had hosted European football less than 48 hours earlier as Welsh league champions TNS beat Astana of Kazakhstan in the Europa Conference League. This was a fairly boring third tier game in the English leagues but the Reds were clearly the better side.
RUSSELL CAPS FINE WEEK WITH OPENER
The Reds looked set to go into the break goalless but Jon Russell smashed an impressive volley into the top right corner from close range after a corner had been cleared then Luca Connell lofted the ball back into the area.
It was his first goal of the season but he was also a threat in the midweek game with Charlton, hitting the bar and seeing a shot cleared off the line.
He looked good in a midfield two with Luca Connell, having impressed in a more attacking role in the previous two games.
Russell personifies Barnsley’s rejuvenation since the international break as, after struggling to get on the bench in September, he excelled during that extended spell on the training pitch and earned a chance in the 11 which he has taken. His big physical frame and clear footballing talent should make him a formidable and unusual force for the Reds, but he has struggled to perform consistently well until now.
Meanwhile, Connell – who had been an injury doubt – registered his fourth assist of the season and could have had two others as he put Watters clean through on goal twice, the second one after a particularly eye-catching run and pass. He has the third most assists in the division and is fifth for ‘key passes’ which lead to a chance.
Kelechi Nwakali made his league debut in injury-time, adding to the plethora of midfield options.
QUALITY WATTERS GOAL FINISHES HOSTS
Max Watters replaced Vimal Yoganathan, who dropped out of the squad, and played between Stephen Humphrys and Davis Keillor-Dunn in a front three.
Just after half-time, he ran onto a long pass by Corey O’Keeffe – who claimed a third assist of the season – down the right wing and beat Morgan Feeney to the ball then rounded Aaron Pierre in the box before finding the bottom right corner.
It was an excellent striker’s goal to cap a fine week for Watters who came off the bench on Tuesday to net a late leveller after injury. He could have scored a hat-trick but will take plenty of confidence from his overall performance.
He now has four goals in seven games after netting four in the previous 35 during a Barnsley career which has seen him outcast to the under 21s before making this impressive comeback under Darrell Clarke who must take credit for revitalising both goal-scorers in Shrewsbury.
FOURTH LEAGUE CLEAN SHEET OF 2024
This was Barnsley’s fourth league clean sheet in 2024. The others came in the away games at Oxford in January, Crawley in August and the 0-0 Oakwell draw in March with Clarke’s Cheltenham.
Killip replaced Gaga Slonina in goal after the American made a significant error for Charlton’s leveller in midweek.
Slonina, 20, has made a series of costly gaffes and a break seemed to be the right decision. Killip only had one save to make - pushing away a long-range Tom Bloxham effort just after the opener.
There were several other long-range shots either blocked or off-target.
The Reds defence was very solid, although not seriously tested.
Donovan Pines came in for the suspended Josh Earl, who had played all 30 league games since signing in January. Pines’ nine league starts have brought six wins, two draws and the loss at Stevenage when he came off concussed at the break with the score 0-0. Without Pines starting, since he made his debut, they have lost nine, drawn six and won four of 19 games.
He was a solid presence in the middle of the back three, with Marc Roberts moving to the left and also performing well. A cut to the face of the impressive Mael de Gevigney was the closest Shrewsbury came to troubling their visitors.
Georgie Gent again caught the eye on the left, beating defenders and putting in good crosses.
BEST AWAY RECORD IN DIVISION
Barnsley have the best away record in League One, having won five out of seven matches in the road so far. The only side in the EFL with more points on the road are Saturday’s FA Cup hosts Port Vale.,
The Reds are currently on course to surpass last season’s record-breaking away form, but it must be pointed out that three of those wins were at the bottom three Burton, Crawley and Shrewsbury.
They are due to visit the fourth team currently in the relegation zone, Cambridge United, in their only away game until December.
But the Reds also won at Lincoln and Blackpool, and have given their travelling supporters a great time over the last three seasons. Clearly home form is a huge issue which needs to be solved immediately, but there is plenty to celebrate away.
