Some Barnsley FC related stories coming out of the weekend.
CLARKE: WE ARE WHAT WE ARE AS A GROUP
‘We are what we are as a group’ said Darrell Clarke when asked about the lack of strength in depth in his Barnsley squad.
The Reds had hoped to strengthen their squad during the January transfer window but many have questioned whether that has happened, especially up front where they are hoping to recruit in the free agent market.
Clarke has spoken via video call with a possible new signing who is thought to be based overseas. The head coach said he hoped that deal would progress this week.
Barnsley’s bench for the 2-1 loss at Stockport County on Saturday contained three wing-backs – although Neil Farrugia came on up front – plus Josh Benson, who has not started a league game since 2023, and striker Josiah Dyer who missed out on a league debut.
They were without Stephen Humphrys, who was ill, and other strikers Max Watters and Fabio Jalo who are thought to be out injured until March.
Asked if he thought they had strengthened enough in the window, Clarke told the Chronicle: “We are what we are as a group. The window is shut. We are trying to add another one.
“There is a lot of negativity about the place and the lads don’t need me to put the coals on the fire. I will work hard for the club and the fans and hopefully get a lot better performances.”
TWO OFF-FORM SIDES TO MEET IN YORKSHIRE DERBY
Two off-form sides are due to meet at Oakwell from 3pm on Saturday when Michael Duff’s Huddersfield Town are the visitors.
While Barnsley have taken just a point from their last five games, their Yorkshire neighbours have collected one from four.
After a 16-match unbeaten run, which started with a win over the Reds in October, the Terriers lost three in a row before a 0-0 draw at home to Reading on Saturday.
Huddersfield are fifth, two points clear in the play-offs and six ahead of Barnsley where Duff was head coach for the 2022/23 season – leading them to the play-off final.
VITAL VICTORY FOR WOMEN IN DERBY
Barnsley FC women won 3-1 at home to Doncaster Rovers Belles on Sunday in the National League Division One North.
Alayna Millard opened the scoring then set up Louise Biggins to put the Reds 2-0 up but Belles replied then saw a penalty saved by Becky Flaherty.
Jodie Gregory secured the win with a goal from near the halfway line.
That left them seventh the table with 17 points from 15 games. The gap to the two-team relegation zone grew from two to five points.
The Reds are due to visit Huddersfield Town on Thursday.
WINS FOR U18S AND U21S
Barnsley under 18s won 4-3 at home to Sheffield United.
Luke Alker scored twice but saw both leads cancelled out before Feyi Afuape and Woodcock put them 4-2 up. They are now due to host Crewe on Friday.
Barnsley under 21s won 1-0 at Peterborough thanks to Callum West’s first half penalty. That ended a ten-game winless run since early October in the league.
MARSH PLAYS BRIEFLY AT CELTIC PARK
Barnsley loanee Aiden Marsh made a brief appearance off the bench in front of nearly 40,000 fans at Celtic as Raith Rovers lost 5-0 in the Scottish Cup.
The striker came on after 89 minutes to make a third substitute appearance of the loan, in which he has also started twice and scored once.
Jack Shepherd played in Bradford City’s 1-0 win over Yorkshire neighbours Harrogate Town in League Two.
The 23-year-old has been almost an ever-present in defence for the Bantams who have won six of their last seven games with five clean sheets in that spell. Bradford are fourth in the table and in the EFL Trophy semi-final.
