This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Regular Punter’ series, where we gather original opinions from select, passionate fans of the clubs concerned on matters surrounding their team and share them with a wider audience…
Football League World’s Barnsley fan pundit Dan Sykes has suggested that selling striker Cauley Woodrow in January would be “a betrayal to the fans”.
The 24-year-old has impressed in the Championship this season and is the Tykes leading scorer, having scored three goals in eight appearances so far.
Woodrow was pivotal in Barnsley’s promotion from League One last season and terrorised defences in the third tier of English football, finding the net 19 times in 36 appearances.
The Yorkshire club made changes to their forward line in the summer, selling Kieffer Moore to Wigan Athletic and bringing in Mallik Wilks from Leeds United and Conor Chaplin from Coventry City.
So far, that duo have found the net just twice between them and much of the goalscoring responsibility seems to be on Woodrow’s shoulders.
It seems the 24-year-old could be key to Daniel Stendel’s side’s hopes of survival this season and Sykes highlighted what he offers the team.
He said: “Cauley is a determined and exciting striker who works tirelessly to win the ball between midfield and attack whilst also trying to lead the line.”
Sykes added that he did not want to see Barnsley sell Woodrow when the transfer window reopens in January.
He said: "If we were to lose Woodrow in January it would be a betrayal to the fans and a surrender to relegation to League One.
“Regardless of the fee received, I don't believe that we would be able to replace him with someone better or even as good.
“If anything we need to strengthen our striking options as we certainly don't have anyone waiting in the wings who is challenging for Cauley's place in the team.”
The Tykes are 22nd as things stand and face a tough trip to Deepdale to play Preston North End on Saturday but a win could see them move out of the relegation zone.
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