DON'T DISMISS HUNGRY TYKES

THIS time last week no-one would have predicted Barnsley would have a prayer of reaching the play-offs, but fortunes can change quickly in football.

- Hugo Varley

With the Tykes on a run of three defeats in five and without a league win in 2021, some had claimed Valerien Ismael’s side ought to look over their shoulders.

However, for those who have kept a close eye on Barnsley since Ismael’s appointment in October, there was no rush to press the panic button – and the past week’s return to form came as little surprise.

A resolute and clinical performance at Brentford last weekend ended the Bees’ 21game unbeaten run before a 2-1 home victory against Blackburn on Wednesday was followed by a 1-0 success at managerless Bristol City yesterday.

Foundations

Since arriving in South Yorkshire, Ismael has carefully laid the foundations for a slow and steady rise up the table, accumulating an impressive win ratio of over 50 percent. The Tykes now lie tenth, four points behind sixth-placed Bournemouth with a game in hand.