Barnsley FC and Daniel Stendel welcomed fun back like an old friend in FA Cup win v Aldershot Town - analysis
A deep dive into Barnsley’s 7-2 FA Cup win over Aldershot Town
As Daniel Stendel sat down to dissect Barnsley’s 7-2 FA Cup win over Aldershot Town, he offered a wry smile.
He had been asked about the two goals his side leaked late in a game that had already been taken well beyond the opposition.
It was a question he will have known was coming, and a question most managers would have enjoyed answering to demonstrate their forensic and demanding nature. The word ‘standards’ would have most likely been used.
Stendel, however, had no interest in poking holes in a mostly scintillating performance. And who could blame him?
Barnsley’s campaign has been largely devoid of fun and rife with simmering discontent. With Bonfire Night celebrations spilling over into the weekend, Stendel clearly felt the Reds needed to simply enjoy the sparks.
“We keep the positive things,” said Stendel. “It's normal that I think about the two goals, but I think we analysed a lot in the last couple of weeks about some situations, some games, and why we didn't win the game in the end.
“I think today is time to say ‘good result, we're in the hat for the next draw’.”
Destruction of Aldershot Town
Barnsley flew out of the traps at a dizzying pace and the brakes were simply never applied. By half-time, Cameron McGeehan and Vimal Yoganathan braces and a Reyes Cleary effort had Aldershot dead and buried.
McGeehan completed his hat-trick after the break and Rylan Brownlie got in the act, with the latter rounding off the afternoon after Aldershot had twice hit back via Annisuis Lewis.
“It was good to see that we used the spaces that we get, and a goal after a set-piece.
“I think three goals after crosses was good, especially that. It's one thing that we try to change and what we train in training, why we said we have to cross more balls in the box. And yeah, it was good today.”
A much-needed win
Toxicity has enveloped Oakwell in recent months and while it has not been Stendel’s doing, it is clear he is relishing the trickling return of some positivity.
His side’s hard-fought draw with Oxford United a week prior evoked nostalgia, memories of a first spell in which supporter connection was strong.
They did not require the same spirit against the Shots but bluntly, it was just nice to see some goalscoring fun. It is a pleasure with which the Oakwell faithful have not been well-acquainted of late.
“We needed this game,” said Stendel. “It's a good opportunity for everybody to prove what we want to do next week and to get some confidence in defence and offence for winning duels, try to do things, cross the ball early, and in the box you can score goals.
“We have tough weekends in the past, and I think it was good for everybody, for the mindset, for the training time next week, for the game, especially before the weekend game.”
Barnsley will host Oldham Athletic in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Wednesday (November 11) but it is clear Stendel’s primary focus is on the Brick Community Stadium. That is where Wigan Athletic will entertain the Reds in a battle of two of League One’s bottom four sides on Saturday (November 14).
A battling league draw followed by a thorough dismantling of an inferior FA Cup opponent represents a start - but it would take a league win for the phrase ‘turning point’ to be uttered with any conviction. At present, it can only be whispered.
“I think we play sometimes really well, but we get no points for that,” said Stendel. “You have to score, you have to defend.
“I think it's important that everybody looks for situations that you can score, not only our strikers.
“I think this is important, especially for the next weeks when we have some games against teams around our situation in the table, but also we talk a lot about our defence behaviour, we have to improve that, and I think it was a good step in the right direction today.”
Barnsley: Slicker, Okedina, Gale (Noslin 76), Kay, Larkeche; Johnson (Kelly 63), Connell; Yoganathan, McGeehan (Taylor 71), Cleary (Brownlie 63); Adeyemo (Kirk 45).
Unused substitutes: Ravenhill, Smith, Richards, Alker.
Aldershot Town: Hayes, Dyce (Robinson 60), Oshilaja, Stickland, Harfield (Adom-Malaki 60); Borgnis, Odusanya; Peart (Gilbert 72), Tima, Sandah (Lewis-Evans 78); Abrahams (Lewis 60).
Unused substitutes: Patmore, Matton, Wyllie, Dinanga.
Referee: Steven Copeland (Merseyside)