Midfield low on attacking prowess and experience
Barnsley have some good players in the centre of the park, and they deserve a chance to prove themselves, but the concerns are a lack of attacking threat from midfield and a lack of experience.
They are unlikely to find someone who adds both those qualities on their budget, so a couple more midfielders might be required.
It is a long season and they will need options. None of the current midfielders – except Callum Styles who is likely to leave – have scored more than once in the league for the Reds so, with doubts about their forwards as well, it is not obvious where the goals and assists are coming from.
Josh Benson’s excellent free-kick winner on Saturday will provide more confidence but they need regular open play attacking threat.
The other issue is that, for the second successive summer, the Reds are due to start a season with midfield options all 23 or younger and with just a few seasons of experience each.
It was a disaster last time and, although they are now at a lower level, it would be a major risk not to bring in someone with more leadership qualities and experience – despite reservations that that could block a youngster’s development.
Herbie Kane’s injury is a big blow.
He was the most experienced of the current midfielders and has impressed in League One before, while he seemed to have settled nicely into Michael Duff’s plans in pre-season. His groin problem means Matty Wolfe, Luca Connell and Josh Benson may start as the central three if Styles is not involved.
They have played fewer than 70 EFL games between them and are 21 or 22.
Luke Thomas is also an option, perhaps off the bench, and would add more attacking drive. The others are teenage academy graduate Joe Ackroyd, while Will Hondermarck and Jordan Helliwell can play there or right wing-back.