Derby v Barnsley: post-January dips

Adam Davies, Barnsley’s MOTM last week – bbc.co.uk

Derby and Barnsley have picked up just one win between them since January and, baring a miraculous late surge, they have no chance of making the top six.

It is a credit to the season Barnsley have had that a play-off finish once seemed within the realms of possibility, considering the budget available to Paul Heckingbottom. Equally, it is an indictment of Derby’s failings that they are not in the top six with an eye on the automatic promotion places.

There is plenty of technical talent in this Rams team, but tactical question marks remain. It was proved under Nigel Pearson that they do not have midfielders with the attributes to play in a 4-4-2. While Steve McClaren’s change to 4-3-3 worked initially, goalscoring problems have resurfaced since they became a more possession-based side.

In recent games David Nugent and Darren Bent, the latter now injured, have both struggled to play alone up top while Matej Vydra has started just three games since October. These problems are shown by a failure to score in any of their last three games, with a lack of zip and movement in their play a concern. The one saving grace has been their defence, which has conceded fewer goals than any team in the division bar the top two.

24 of their 34 games have seen two or fewer goals scored, including each of their last three. The same can be said of seven of the last 10 games for Barnsley, who relied largely on last-ditch efforts to draw 1-1 with Huddersfield last week.

Goalkeeper Adam Davies pulled off a man-of-the-match performance, Josh Scowen ran himself into the ground while centre-back Marc Roberts put in some crucial blocks. Recently, there has been plenty of endeavour from Barnsley but not so much quality, particularly in the final third. They looked organized at Reading but only hit the target once as well as striking the woodwork. They competed well against Brighton in the first half but failed to capitalize when they were on top. Their game against Preston was a case of both teams working hard but being unable to finish things off.

Barnsley have scored six goals in seven games without Conor Hourihane, three of those ironically coming against the Irishman’s current club. They miss Hourihane’s range of passing, his crossing ability and set piece proficiency. Even Sam Winnall, who left in more acrimonious circumstances, got on the end of the former’s deliveries and is a natural goalscorer. With those two still in the team, along with perhaps Sam Morsy, it is reasonable to suggest that the Tykes would now be posing a greater threat.

Barnsley have the endeavour but right now, not same the star quality they possessed until January. For big-spending Derby, goalscoring problems are harder to excuse.

The Football Lab’s Verdict: 1-1
Betting tip: under 2.5 goals