After two frustrating draws at Oakwell in just four days, Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke is facing significant challenges with his squad. The team has shown effort and determination, but there is a noticeable lack of playing style and identity, which has raised concerns.
Although Barnsley started both recent matches energetically, they quickly ran out of ideas and struggled to maintain any attacking momentum. The lack of creativity and cutting edge has left fans waiting to see a clear tactical approach from Clarke’s side.
Big Darrell Clarke shortcoming on show
Nine games into the season, Barnsley fans are still struggling to pinpoint Darrell Clarke’s football style, as there is no clear identity in the team’s play.
Clarke has been vocal in interviews about the qualities he wishes to see from his squad, emphasizing the importance of a strong mentality and playing aggressively. However, as each week passes, his current Barnsley side has struggled to implement his vision effectively.
In matches against Stockport County and Wycombe Wanderers, Clarke aimed for his players to take the initiative and control the game. Unfortunately, they managed only a brief five-minute burst of performance against County and delivered a disjointed and uninspiring display against Wycombe.
Fans wondering where Clarke’s identity is
From the opening matches this season, supporters have found it difficult to identify a clear playing style for Barnsley. Occasionally, the team opts for long balls to target forwards like Sam Cosgrove or Stephen Humphrys, but they rarely apply pressure on the opposition. At times, players attempt to create passing triangles, but this is inconsistent, leading to a lack of a defined style.
Clarke has experimented with different formations during games, as seen in the 2-2 draw with Wycombe, where Barnsley started in a 4-4-2 setup before shifting to a 3-5-2 with second-half substitutions.
After the match against Wycombe, Clarke acknowledged that he does not yet know his best starting eleven or formation, emphasizing the need for players to elevate their performances and improve the overall quality of their play.
| League One standings 2024-25 (As of 2nd October) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 4 | Lincoln City | 8 | 6 | 15 |
| 5 | Stockport | 8 | 6 | 15 |
| 6 | Blackpool | 9 | 3 | 15 |
| 7 | Barnsley | 9 | 2 | 15 |
| 8 | Wycombe | 8 | 3 | 14 |
While his players have shown inconsistency in their performances, there are specific areas that need addressing. For instance, defenders often concede possession in dangerous areas when trying to play out from the back, and wing-back Barry Cotter frequently gets into promising positions near the opposition’s penalty area but struggles with his crossing, failing to find teammates. It is up to Clarke and his coaching staff to rectify these errors. In the first half against Wycombe, Barnsley delivered 12 crosses into the opposition box, but only one was directed toward a home player.
Clarke has had a full pre-season with this squad and, now nearly ten games into the league season, should focus on establishing a system, formation, and style of play that aligns with the players’ strengths and resonates with supporters.
Fortunately, during Tuesday’s match against Wycombe, Clarke’s substitutions made a significant impact. Fabio Jalo and Stephen Humphrys injected energy into a lackluster performance, helping the Reds secure a point from the game. There is no indication that the players are not backing their manager; rather, Clarke needs to develop a clear identity for the squad and leverage its strengths.
Although it is still early in the season, Darrell Clarke must address these shortcomings promptly to prevent supporters from losing faith in his ability to lead the club back to the Championship.
GET MORE RELATED CONTENT ON LIFESTYLEROOM.NET
Leave a Reply