Barnsley FC defender Jordan Williams hails impact of Gerhard Struber

The former Huddersfield Town player is been one of the club's quiet achievers under the Austrian with his versatility shown in the 2-0 midweek victory at Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup.

It was an notable occasion for Williams, who scored just his second senior goal for the Reds - with his other arriving in the EFL Trophy game with Manchester City under-21s in December 2018.

Operating in a left-wing back role, Williams caught the eye, backing up some previously impressively consistent performances in a three-man defence.

An increasingly important figure who has grown in maturity on the pitch and off it, Williams - who turns 21 next month - is quick to pay tribute to Struber and the group ethic he has created at Oakwell.

Williams said: "He has just come in and let me play and said what he wanted to me. I know my job on and off the pitch all the time and know what to do and he is always backing and encouraging me.

"There is a very good environment at the minute and we are like a family and are always doing things together and we are trying to plan team events and there is a bonding here.

"We are a really good tight-knit team."

Speaking of family, there was a perfect end to last season in that respect for Williams, with the Reds securing their Championship status after hometown club Huddersfield - whose girlfriend's family are avid Town fans - had previously sealed their place in the second-tier for the 2020-21 campaign.

The Yorkshire rivals meet at Oakwell on Boxing Day.

"It was a happy family at the end of the season. Obviously, they were already staying up and for us to stay up on the last day of the season was just amazing.

"Hopefully, fans will be allowed back on Boxing Day so the whole family can see it."

"We can kick on (this season) and with the way we finished in the last nine games last season, we did very well.

"If we can start our first nine games like that, hopefully we will not be worrying at the bottom of the table."