1. You have to work hard to be a part of a Michael Skubala team. There was a very short period of play yesterday which showed how Skubala wants to play and what he expects of his players. It was the period when we scored two excellent goals to go from 1-0 up to put the game to bed by the hour mark. Much will be made of the goals, and both were very good, but there was more to it than simply the ball ending up in the back of the net twice. You see the first goal scored by Moylan. A breakaway movement breaks down. What you then see are 7 white shirts in the picture, all placing the Barnsley players under pressure. Not just those on the ball but others cutting off an easy escape pass. The ball was won back and Jack makes his brilliant run to score. When play re-started Barnsley went on the attack and got the ball to the edge of our area. It’s often said that the most dangerous time for any team is just after they have scored. What you saw from our players were a bank of players blocking Barnsley’s route to a shot on goal. You’ve got the likes of Reeco Hackett filling in as a central defender because his identified player has drifted in from that side. Players are switched on immediately. The result of this is that Barnsley don’t get a clear opportunity. It then results in Ben House winning the ball near to the halfway line. You then see Danny Mandroiu busting a gut to fill the space he knows the ball will end up in and he finishes extremely well also. This team now knows that it will be hard work and hard running both on and off the ball which will keep your place in the squad. All are in tune with the plan.
2. The worst thing a defender at this level wants to see are players willing to take the game to them with the ball at their feet. You can see just how devastating it can be for any defender to have a skilful player running at you. Defenders hate that kind of play. It was this kind of play that had us excited when Brennan Johnson and Morgan Rogers had their great season with us. We have those types of players in Jack Moylan, Ben House, Jack Taylor and Danny Mandroiu (a player who we might just have finally found his optimum position for due to injuries to others). In our last ten games of the regular season, this should be the go-to tactic whenever possible as it will reap rewards as it did at Oakwell’
3. The players are really enjoying playing this way. There were a couple of occasions yesterday when opportunities didn’t quite come off. Ethan Erhahon put one over just after the break and Danny Mandroiu skied a chance when he was very well placed. Seeing the footage both had huge grins on their faces after missing the chances. That only comes when you are really enjoying your football and want to play to the best of your abilities. You sense this team is very much together and when that happens the sky can be the limit.