Barnsley FC player ratings: One stand-out mark for Reds - with some mixed grades against Wigan Athletic
HERE are the Barnsley player ratings from their EFL Cup first-round tie against Wigan Athletic at Oakwell on Saturday.
Ravenhill: Barnsley lad and boyhood fan handed a debut due to a training-ground injury to Slicker. Made a couple of fine saves, but positioning suspect for Wigan’s goal. Key save in an otherwise flawless shoot-out. 7
Alker: Leeds lad was handed a debut at left-back. Wigan rival Sze gave him some problems, defensively. Looked happier further upfield in second half. 5
Gale: Steady in main, but Murray did give him the slip in the second half. 6
Earl: Played as a centre-half. Weak first-half back header should have been punished. Up a mark, thanks to winning penalty. 6.
Kay: Handed a competitive debut after excelling in pre-season. Showed tenacity and energy and had some good moments in the first half, in particular. Switched to left-back in second half. Looks capable of playing a part this season. 7
Connell: No longer wearing the captain’s armband. Didn’t show his disappointment. Contributed, nearly scored at the end. 7
McGeehan: The Reds’ new on-pitch leader had a testing second debut against dominant opponents, but kept going and was rewarded late on. 6
Richards: Pretty quiet on debut. 5
Kelly: Subdued by his high standards. 5
Cleary: Comfortably the player most likely for Barnsley. Switched to a central role in the second half. A real threat for Wigan at times. 8
Kirk: A willing runner, but made little impact. 5
Substitutes: Bland (Kirk HT). Came on at right back at the start of the second period. 6
Town (Richards 82).
Not used: Andrassy, Shepherd, O'Keeffe, Hudson, Saunders.