Analysis of Barnsley's 2-2 friendly draw at York City on Tuesday evening.

FINAL CHANCE TO SEE REDS BEFORE SEASON STARTS

SO THAT’S it now, Barnsley fans won’t see their side in action again in the flesh until the League One campaign starts.

Many of the 772 who were applauded by the players after attending this Tuesday night friendly will also make the long trip down to Plymouth for next week’s curtain-raiser.

Then the majority of match-going supporters will see Conor Hourihane’s side for the first time at Oakwell on August 9 against Burton.

As for the players, they were off to Wales on Wednesday for a four-day training camp including a behind-closed-doors friendly on Friday.

It has been a fairly low-key pre-season, with the majority of games against non-league side and no home friendlies, but the Reds seem pleased with the work they have got into their players and the progress they can see individually and as a team.

They are playing some good football going forward but – especially in this game – conceded regular goals and chances, with the defence in need of tightening up.

In their first ever match at York’s new ground – the development of which Reds chief executive Jon Flatman was part of when at York Knights rugby league club – they came from behind twice with goals by Caylan Vickers and Adam Phillips.

All that really matters is how they perform when the real whistle blows.

VICKERS AND CLEARY SHOW GLIMPSES OF REDS WING PLAY

It was positive to see Barnsley play with two natural wingers on the flanks, having used youngsters and full-backs there in the earlier friendlies.

Reyes Cleary and Caylan Vickers are young and raw but both have plenty of potential.

Vickers – who had been announced as a Reds player less than 24 hours earlier – scored and Cleary very nearly did.

They each showed the ability to beat defenders, go on exciting runs and create chances which Hourihane wants from his wide men in this new 4-3-3 system.

They were also part of an energetic Reds press which won the ball numerous times high up the pitch off their possession-based hosts.

Of course, we have to add the caveat that they were against non-league players in a friendly, but they showed promise.

With Fabio Jalo likely to miss at least the first quarter of the season with injury, the Reds surely need to sign at least one more wide player this window. Neil Farrugia and Davis Keillor-Dunn are also options there.

RIGHT-BACK STILL AN ISSUE

Mael de Gevigney played at right-back as he has throughout pre-season.

If Corey O’Keeffe, Barry Cotter and Kyran Lofthouse are wing-backs rather than full-backs so cannot play in a back four, maybe de Gevigney is too far the other way as a natural centre-back.

There have to be question marks over the Frenchman’s ability to defend one-on-one against pacy and skilled wingers as well as his attacking output, although he did embark on a fine run down the right and played some good forward passes in York.

He could be an option at right-back in some games but surely they need another player more suited to playing there in a back four.

If they sign a right-back in time to play at Plymouth, that looks like a competitive squad for the opening game which can be added to in the month before the window shuts.

OTHER PLAYERS CATCH THE EYE

A few other Barnsley players caught the eye.

Goalkeeper Murphy Cooper made an excellent first half save to tip over a Tyrese Sinclair shot while his distribution was promising and almost brought him an assist.

In midfield, Jono Bland played the holding role with Vimal Yoganathan and Jon Russell as more attacking ‘number eights’ either side of him – although it was fluid with the trio switching roles throughout.

The two teenagers continued their development while Russell surged forward with great effect on several occasions – including winning a loose ball then playing Vickers clean through to net.

The other assist was from substitute David McGoldrick with impressive control and a pass to fellow replacement Adam Phillips who, wearing the captain’s armband, saw the goalkeeper make a one-on-one save but the ball rolled to him to tap in almost on the line.

BANKS JUNIOR NETS ANOTHER STUNNER AGAINST REDS

Barnsley legend Ian Banks racked up an impressive catalogue of stunning goals for the Reds but his son Ollie has scored a couple of fantastic strikes against his father’s former employers.

Banks Junior, now 32 after a solid career as a professional, joined York this summer from Chesterfield. He curled a superb sixth-minute shot into the top right corner from outside the box, following the magnificent free-kick he smashed in at Oakwell for Barrow in the FA Cup in 2022.

The closing down for Banks’ goal was poor from Barnsley, as was the way they were opened up for the second goal – with a low cross down the right tapped in by Ollie Pearce on 71 minutes – as well as several other moves down each flank which should have brought more York goals.