HAVING just ended a five-game winless run in League One, Barnsley must now wait a fortnight to play in that competition again.

Such is the nature of a stop-start league campaign for the Reds in which they have struggled for momentum. Their home league games have been against Port Vale on September 27, Rotherham on October 25 and now Luton on November 22 then Leyton Orient on December 13. That is pretty much one a month – if you ignore the cup matches in front of meagre crowds – which makes it tough to excite and connect with the majority of the fanbase.

Still, the vital win at Doncaster keeps them comfortably in mid-table, slightly closer to the promotion fight than relegation battle. They have three games in hand which may help them catch up but it will create a packed schedule in the new year. The division is very tight at the moment, with no one grabbing it by the scruff of the neck, and Barnsley could close the gap to the top six if they have a good next month.

But, having been given a relatively kind fixture list against many bottom half sides to start the campaign, the difficulty level should ratchet up in theory. They face Luton, who are improving quickly under Jack Wilshere, visit leaders Stockport then go to another top six side Lincoln before welcoming last season’s play-off finalists Orient.

Barnsley have some very exciting players, especially in midfield and attack. Signing then 20-year-olds Patrick Kelly and Reyes Cleary on three-year deals in the summer, with an option for the fourth, looks like inspired business and is a counter-point to the valid criticism of not adding depth in attack.

The Reds are clearly looking to develop those players as well as academy stars like Jono Bland and Vimal Yoganathan.

When you add in goal machine Davis Keillor-Dunn and proven League One performers like Luca Connell and Adam Phillips, they have the makings of a fine side. But they are being let down by an ability to keep clean sheets as they ship silly goal after silly goal and concede chance after chance.

If they can tighten up, they might have a shot at promotion but the problem has been dogging them for a long time.