Barnsley midfielders new role pivotal in clubs upturn in form
Barnsley midfielders new role pivotal in clubs upturn in form
Barnsley`s recent upturn in form comes as midfielder, Jon Russell adapts well to his new advanced role within the side.
The October international break appears to have done Darrell Clarke and his Barnsley side the world of good since the two awful back to back defeats at Huddersfield in the league and football league trophy. Going into the break, Clarke and his players were coming in for criticism due to a lack of style or substance and dropping away from the play off places in League One.
During the international break, the whole squad and management appear to have worked on a number of areas and returned with midfielder Jon Russell playing in a more advanced “number eight” role rather than sitting in front of a back three.
Russell is more effective in advanced role
Since being employed in a number eight role behind the forwards, Russell has been more effective within the team. After coming close to scoring on a number of occasions recently, hitting the bar and having one shot cleared off the line, Russell got his rewards scoring in the 2-0 away win at Shrewsbury.
Barnsley fans are more used to seeing Russell used as a defensive midfielder protecting the back three and breaking up play but in recent games, Russell has caused issues for the opposition within the penalty area.
The Jamaican international has always had an ability to win the ball back by making a nuisance of himself and breaking up play. Now in an advanced role, Russell is turning and facing the opposition goal and creating chances something the Barnsley midfield has lacked recently.
A better balance within the Barnsley team
With Russell further up the pitch supporting the ever growing partnership between Stephen Humphry’s and Davis Keillor-Dunn and Georgie Gent growing into the left back role, the whole balance of the Barnsley side has improved.
Gent is working on the defensive side of his game as well as taking on defenders, whipping dangerous crosses into the oppositions penalty area. After a slow start to life at Oakwell, Gent is adapting to the physicality of League One and is now showing signs that he can nail down his place on the left side.
With Max Watters and Sam Cosgrove having their season interrupted through injuries, Stephen Humphrys and Keillor-Dunn appear to have struck up an understanding within the Barnsley forward line. Although Watters has made a scoring return, he will need to be eased back into the side to prevent any further injury setback.
It appears the October international break came at a good time for Darrell Clarke to hit a slight reset with his Barnsley side. Some slight adjustments in personnel appear to have worked and praise must go to Jon Russell for taking his opportunity and making his mark on the team.
