Opposition Lowdown: Neill Collins’ Playoff-Chasing Barnsley
Riding high off of an impressive win away to Bristol Rovers, the Royals face the long trip north to take on Barnsley. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.
Form
Barnsley finished fourth in League One last season, securing a place in the playoffs. They beat Bolton Wanderers over two legs in the semi-finals, but lost the final 0-1 to Sheffield Wednesday.
Their three-year stay in the Championship came to an end in 2022, when they finished bottom of the league. The Tykes are fighting at the right end of the table again this season though, currently sitting in fifth place following 21 wins, 11 draws and 10 losses.
However, their recent form has been questionable, having seen one win, one draw and three losses in their last five games. They come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Stevenage.
The two sides faced each other in December, with the Tykes claiming a 1-3 victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium after goals from Herbie Kane, Devante Cole and Max Watters.
The boss
Neill Collins: Collins took over as Barnsley manager in July last year, replacing the departing Michael Duff, who joined Championship Swansea City.
The former centre-back had a 17-year playing career, representing the likes of Dumbarton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United. He ended his career in the US, where he played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
It was Tampa where Collins started his managerial career, taking the hot seat in May 2018. The Scotsman spent five years in Florida and was named the NSL Championship Coach of the Year in 2021.
He returned to England last summer after signing a two-year deal with Barnsley and is having a strong season with the Tykes as they chase a second consecutive season in the playoffs. Collins likes his sides to play aggressive, front-footed football.
Squad
Barnsley signed three players in the January transfer window, with two agreeing permanent deals and one joining on loan.
They started their business with the free transfer of defender Donovan Pines, who signed following his release from MLS side DC United. The arrival of defender Josh Earl from League One rivals Fleetwood Town followed before Conor Grant joined the club on loan from League Two side MK Dons.
January signing Donovan Pines will miss this weekend’s game as he has been ruled out for the rest of the season through injury. Defender Robbie Cundy will also miss out.
Predicted lineup
Roberts, de Gevigney, McCart, Earl, Williams, Cadden, Grant, Connell, Phillips, McAtee, Cole
Key player
Herbie Kane: Midfielder Kane joined Barnsley in October 2020, signing from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee. He started his youth career at Bristol City before joining the Liverpool academy in 2013 and made his debut for the Reds in 2019 in a League Cup game against MK Dons.
Kane spent time on loan at Doncaster Rovers and Hull City before leaving Liverpool to join the Tykes in 2020. He played a full season with Barnsley in the Championship before spending the 2021/22 season on loan at League One Oxford United.
He became a first-team regular on his return to Barnsley and has gone on to make 117 appearances for the Tykes, scoring 13 goals, with eight of those coming this season. The 25-year-old is a box to box midfielder with an eye for goal.
One to watch
John McAtee: Forward McAtee joined Barnsley on a season-long loan from Premier League Luton Town in the summer. He started his youth career at Shrewsbury Town and made his first appearance for the club on the final day of the 2016/17 season.
While at the Shrews he had a number of loan spells, representing the likes of Halesowen Town and Curzon Ashton. He went on to sign for Scunthorpe United in 2019, where he spent two seasons before moving to Grimsby Town. A year later he joined Luton Town on a permanent deal, where he was then loaned back to The Mariners.
The 24-year-old has played a part in 39 games so far this season and is Barnsley’s second-top-scorer with 13 goals to his name. McAtee is a centre forward with strong hold-up play, and is the brother of James McAtee, who is currently on loan at Sheffield United from Manchester City.