Barnsley made the perfect start to the Championship season, defeating Fulham on the opening day.
However, things have got tough for the Tykes as they aim to establish themselves back in the Championship and after 16 games, that success over Fulham remains their only win of the campaign.
Daniel Stendel – the man who guided Barnsley back to the Championship – has departed Oakwell, with Adam Murray currently in caretaker charge of the South Yorkshire outfit.
A 4-2 defeat to struggling Stoke City on Saturday gave the table a grim look heading into November’s international break, and there’s lots to consider over the next two weeks if you’re of a Barnsley persuasion.
Here, we take a look at THREE things that need addressing…
A leaking defence
After 16 games of the season, the Tykes has conceded 33 goals, which is more than two per game on average.
Frankly, you aren’t going to stay in the Championship if you are conceding that volume of goals.
Of course, you’ve got to consider that Barnsley lost both centre-backs and their goalkeeper from last season, but they felt they’d had a steady summer and signed some players that could help them overcome that.
If this continues, they are on course to concede 90+ goals, which will make grim, grim reading.
Turning draws into wins
Despite sitting rock bottom of the Championship table and with only one win, Barnsley have actually drawn six games, giving them nine points.
Only Middlesbrough have drawn more games this season from the teams sat in the bottom half of the table, so it is vital that Barnsley find a way of turning those into victories.
Of course, it is easier said than done, but wins are the only thing that will keep Barnsley in the Championship.
Managerial clarity
Adam Murray has been in-charge at Oakwell since Stendel departed, but he hasn’t been able to turn the tide just yet.
Recently, he called for clarity for the sake of his players, as they look to battle to get Barnsley moving in the right direction.
You feel the board are either going to have to back Murray or find someone else to lead the club forwards.