Barnsley outclass lower league Crewe to reach double last season’s tally of wins in just November
Barnsley 3, Crewe Alexandra 0
THIS was Barnsley’s 14th win of the season in all competitions – double their tally from last season with at least 29 games left.
The Reds wanted to create a ‘winning culture’ this season and, while there is still a long way to go, they have made huge progress on the training ground, in the dressing room and on the pitch in the last six months or so under Michael Duff.
Obviously playing in League One rather than the Championship helps, but it is more than that.
In their last FA Cup game at Oakwell, in January, they lost the lead three times against ten man League Two relegation-battlers Barrow before some poor refereeing helped them win 5-4 in extra-time.
They thought they had the game won at half-time when two goals and a man up. The game against Crewe was a stark contrast to that nail-biter for Poya Asbaghi’s depleted and disorganised rabble who had no control of the contest and folded every time they were put under pressure.
This time, Barnsley produced a professional and focused performance to outclass a League Two struggler in the way they should. The Reds – who played their strongest possible outfield side – are slowly turning into a club that wins regularly again with a stronger mentality and togetherness.
They have had games this season when they seemed to expect to beat lowly opponents and came unstuck – but hopefully this display shows those slip-ups are consigned to history.
The first half was not a great spectacle but Barnsley were in control and the only side creating chances, one of which was taken by Devante Cole.
The Railwaymen – who had not conceded in six and a half hours in all competitions and had won their last three matches – then had their tickets punched early in the second half with two more goals. Crewe’s only shots on target came when the game was over as a contest and the Reds were resting players while giving minutes to 17-year-olds such as Fabio Jalo and debutant Theo Chapman.
Overall it was a good afternoon for the 3,507 home fans, with just the East Stand open.
The Reds have now won their last three home games while scoring eight goals and, in total, they have won five out of six.
Six-goal top-scorer Cole started that run with a goal against Forest Green Rovers and, should he continue at his current goal rate all season, will net between 12 and 15 goals. In a campaign in which the Reds have been extremely low on strikers, he has been a consistent presence up front and, for the most part, a good performer. His hold-up play, on Saturday and in other games, has been excellent – with the ability to hold off defenders but also bamboozle them with skill.
James Norwood – starting for the first time in a month due to injury – was more quiet, although he played a part in the second goal before limping off with a dead leg.
There is less slightly pressure on the forwards to score goals now the midfielders are netting regularly – especially Adam Phillips who made it four goals in his last five games. He is driving forward, adding extra strength and height in the middle and showing excellent composure when he gets chances. It is hard to believe that, a month ago, he had barely made any impact and some were questioning why he had been given a three-year contract.
Phillips was part of a three-man midfield that totally dominated their visitors who changed formation
from their usual 4-2-3-1 to 3-5-2 to match their hosts but could not.
Luca Connell’s set pieces set up the first goal and other chances while he anchored the midfield well as usual and also showed he can contribute in attack by winning the penalty. Herbie Kane’s return from injury has been key in the upturn in form. A leader in a young side, he helped dictate the game and was a cut above Crewe.
There was a fourth central midfielder on the pitch for Barnsley in Josh Benson who was used out of position at right wing-back with Jordan Williams not involved due to a knock. Benson put in a fine shift, motoring up and down the right wing, doing his defensive work well, and capping the display with a confident penalty for his fifth goal of the season and first since the 3-1 home win over Charlton in September. He has been dropped recently for Phillips in league games so it will have been very pleasing for him to be back in the starting line-up.
Right wing-back could be where he gets some football going forward with Williams sometimes struggling for fitness and no other options there currently. There will be more difficult tests to come but this was a good start.
On the other wing, Nicky Cadden was solid and put in some more threatening crosses.
The back three were untroubled throughout, with Liam Kitching and Mads Andersen helping to set up the second goal.
Andersen could have followed most of the France v Denmark World Cup match having been taken off after an hour – rested while on a yellow card – and he often seems closer to that level than his League One or League Two opponents.
Crewe’s only chance in the first half saw Daniel Agyei hit the side netting from a tight angle on the right, but goalkeeper Jack Walton was only tested in the final half an hour when the match was essentially over. He got down well to his left to keep out efforts by Tariq Uwakwe and Lachlan Brook while he also easily caught a free-kick by Agyei.
Barnsley had the better chances throughout. In the first ten minutes, Andersen headed a Connell corner over when unmarked then Cole volleyed a tough chance wide from a Cadden cross.
Phillips had an impressive 30-yard effort tipped over then, seconds after the opening goal, saw a low cross almost turned in by a sliding Cole but he could only make minimal contact.
Barnsley (3-5-2): Walton, mark out of ten: 7; Edwards 7, Andersen 7 (Cundy 60mins), Kitching 8; Benson 8, Phillips 8 (Chapman 86), Kane 7, Connell 8, Cadden 8 (Larkeche 71); Cole 8 (Martin 71), Norwood 7 (Jalo 60). Unused: Collins, Moon, Aitchison, Nejman. Yellow cards: Andersen.
Goals: Cole 30, Phillips 50, Benson (pen) 56.
Crewe (3-5-2): Okonkwo; Sass-Davies, McDonald, Offord; Mellor (Adebisi 79mins), Thomas, King (Tabiner 86), Uwakwe (Brook 74), Williams; Agyei, Sambou (Colkett 86). Unused: Richards, Griffiths, Finney, Leshabela. Yellow cards: Sambou.
Attendance: 3,967 (460 away fans)
Referee: Tom Reeves (Warwickshire).