Barnsley FC improvement evidenced by Daniel Stendel nostalgia as Oxford United draw raises spirits - analysis
A deep dive into Barnsley’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United in League One
On the day Barnsley paid tribute to their record-appearance maker, they produced the type of spirit he embodied.
The life of Reds legend Barry Murphy, who recently died at the age of 86, was celebrated prior to kick-off and again in the second minute with a moving round of applause.
A full-blooded right-back who played with the club deeply embedded in his heart, Murphy would have enjoyed the fight on show in Barnsley’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United.
“Today I have the feeling this is the Barnsley Football Club I know in my first time (spell in charge),” said Reds head coach Daniel Stendel.
“[We had] a, big unity, a big fight, not only on the pitch, in the past, in the environment here, and it was a really good feeling. I hope he feels it too.”
Barnsley’s forced change
Jack Shepherd saw red for a reckless foul on Louie Sibley just nine minutes in and the weary home faithful could have been forgiven for fearing the worst.
Barnsley have been in freefall but their response to yet another setback was impressive. They abandoned their signature high press and adopted a more pragmatic approach, dropping deeper and getting bodies behind the ball.
Off went frontman Tobi Adeyemo as Barnsley introduced defender Jubril Okedina, switching to a strikerless system in the aftermath of the red card. The latter slotted in at right-back while Arley Kay tucked inside at centre-back alongside Sam Gale.
Stendel’s men still attacked at pace, yet there was noticeably less of the reckless abandon that has unravelled the Reds with such alarming frequency of late.
Vimal Yoganathan fired the hosts ahead against the run of play, connecting with a cross supplied by the impressive Okedina.
Jubril Okedina impact
“The two wingers from Oxford are maybe the best in the league,” said Stendel. “We defended it really well, especially in the second half, when there's a lot of times a one-against-one situation.
“He's a really good defender, he wins the most duels, he blocks the balls, he wins balls.
“It's a good sign for him and also for us that we have a player like him.”
Barnsley defended with drive but not desperation, retaining their discipline as they kept Oxford at bay.
The U’s did eventually level proceedings via Mark Harris, yet an equaliser was all they could muster against a gritty Barnsley. Aaron Ramsey’s men even went down to 10 men themselves late on, when goalkeeper Jamie Cumming was judged to have fouled Rylan Brownlie.
Winning fans back
The Oakwell faithful have had little love for their players of late - and understandably so. It was therefore even more significant and indicative of improvement when they responded to Oxford’s leveller with a rallying cheer of encouragement. All the negativity and pessimism of recent weeks, dissipated by an hour of hearty fight.
“It was really important,” said Stendel. “Especially with the experience in the last couple of weeks.
“It was more the feeling, ‘oh come on, we conceded again a goal’.
“I think we can talk with the players, change the mindset in a situation like this when we conceded a goal. It's really difficult to change it only when you talk and we try some things in training.
“But I think the most change for the heads today was the applause after the 1-1. It was a good feeling, not only for the players, also for us outside. Come on, keep pushing and try again.”
There was similar support when Barnsley last went a man down early on, in their 1-1 draw with Leicester City last month.
The reality is that the bulk of Barnsley fan anger is aimed at the club hierarchy. If there is deemed to be fight and at least an adequate level of tactical cohesion, those on the pitch can be shielded from the anger that is bubbling up.
During Stendel’s first reign as Reds boss, there was a team spirit with which the supporters could resonate. The challenge before him in his second tenure is considerably greater – but there was undoubtedly some nostalgia in the air on Saturday.
Barnsley: Slicker, Kay, Gale, Shepherd, Larkeche; McGeehan, Connell; Yoganathan (Johnson 78), Kelly (Kirk 78), Cleary (Brownlie 65); Adeyemo (Okedina 12).
Unused substitutes: Ravenhill, Noslin, Richards.
Oxford United: Cumming (Eastwood 89), Spencer (Kioso 45), Helik, Long, Currie; Andrews, Sibley (O’Donkor 57); Lynch (Emakhu 45), Goodrham (Missanga 77), Dembele; Harris.
Unused substitutes: Golding, Bradney.
Referee: Oliver Mackey (Northamptonshire)