Analysis of Barnsley's 2-0 home loss to Port Vale.
BLEAK WEEK A REALITY CHECK AFTER SUPERB START
THIS deserved defeat meant Barnsley had lost three games in a row without scoring for the first time since the dark days of 2022 when they were plummeting out of the Championship.
The dreams of returning to the second tier have not been dashed by one bad week but it has certainly been a revealing reality check about where Conor Hourihane’s Reds are. This was always expected to be a transitional season of ups and downs but such a big up in the first month - taking 16 points from seven games - has made this recent down more surprising and disappointing.
They now need to bounce back in an EFL Trophy tie at Notts County on Tuesday and, more importantly, a big game at Michael Duff’s Wycombe on Saturday to avoid going into the international break on rotten form.
Hourihane had told his team to respond from the last-gasp loss at Blackpool a week earlier, reminding them of the old mantra that: ‘good teams don’t lose two in a row.’
But they did just that - three in a row including the midweek cup tie - with easily their worst performance of the campaign, a display more reminiscent of the dismal second half of last season.
Barnsley still have a worrying habit of playing a lot worse in the second half of games. The Reds would be sixth in the table if games stopped at half-time, but 18th for second halves.
They have conceded five league goals before the hour-mark and seven after it while the last goal in each of the last five games has been netted by the opposition.
Barnsley’s unbeaten start to the season at Oakwell in the league ended with this loss.
They will not play at home for almost a month now, with their next game there being against Manchester United under 21s in the EFL Trophy in October 21 followed four days later by a derby with Rotherham United.
VALE THE BETTER SIDE BY FAR
Vale arrived 19th the table, with eight points from nine games, but had won their last two league fixtures after no wins in the first seven.
They are an experienced, functional team who defended manfully in a towering back five, which Barnsley could not break through, and were the more dangerous in attack by far as they should have scored more goals than they did.
Vale had faced Premier League giants Arsenal on Wednesday, after making five changes, so they had a day less to prepare for Saturday's game than the Reds who had made six changes against Brighton in their cup loss.
But it was the visitors who got stronger and better throughout the game, with Barnsley looking like they had nothing left in the final half hour.
The Reds had 68 per possession and long spells of dominance without creating chances, as they looked totally clueless about how to break down an obdurate defence.
There was a flatness and lack of spark from the hosts throughout.
Hourihane struggled to find the solution on the sidelines, with his former assistant Martin Devaney loudly shouting instructions next to him for his new team.
NO SHOT ON TARGET AGAIN
Barnsley had one shot on target in their three games up to and including this defeat.
That was barely a shot as Jack Shepherd’s volley last week from a tight angle bounced harmlessly to the Blackpool goalkeeper.
It might be a bit harsh to include the EFL Cup tie with Premier League Brighton whose woodwork was rattled three times.
But, against Port Vale, they never looked like troubling their former goalkeeper Joe Gauci.
The Reds had scored 16 goals in four straight wins against Vale but were devoid of creativity and cutting edge this time.
Their best chance was in the ninth minute when Josh Earl headed wide a few yards out unmarked from Luca Connell’s corner.
He later claimed that his sleeve had been ripped after he was pulled back.
Top-scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn was taken off after 65 minutes. While he had not played well, he is the most likely Reds player to find a moment of magic.
He started up front then, at half-time, moved onto the left wing as he swapped with David McGoldrick whose goalless run stretched to six games. Caylan Vickers and Adam Phillips were both very quiet. They have so much attacking talent in their 11 that it will surely click again.
TWO POOR GOALS
After about 55 minutes, mistakes began to creep in at the back for Barnsley and Vale had a series of chances - taking two of them.
The opening goal was thoroughly deserved when it arrived on 64 minutes.
A long throw was chucked down the left flank and Tennai Watson seemed to be facing the wrong way when ex-Red Devante Cole headed it on to strike partner Dajaune Brown. The impressive Derby loanee powered into the box past Earl and nudged it beyond Murphy Cooper and Nathanael Ogbeta for Jordan Gabriel to tap in almost on the line.
For the second goal, Luca Connell could not win a tackle and the ball was worked to substitute Ryan Croasdale who impressively found the bottom corner from 20 yards.
It was revenge for Vale who lost 7-0 the previous time they visited Oakwell in 2023.
Cole - who scored a hat-trick that day - was the only player to start for the Reds in the 7-0 and also start in this game, albeit for the visitors. He was booed by the home fans but quite half-heartedly as he was part of an efficient and superior away side.
How the Reds could now do with a striker of his experience and pedigree at this level to bolster their limited attacking options.
COOPER EASILY BEST REDS PLAYER
Murphy Cooper kept the score down with a series of good saves and was the only Barnsley man who really played well.
Although he looked nervous at times, his shot-stopping was impressive as it has been all season.
In front of him, there were mistakes from all of the back four in a sloppy display.
Connell made some good attacking passes in the first half but faded and could have done better for the second goal. Jono Bland was arguably the best outfielder.
