How Barnsley FC and Wales duo Vimal Yoganathan and Jono Bland's competitiveness was forged by academy coach Nicky Eaden
TALENTED Barnsley midfield duo Vimal Yoganathan and Jono Bland may be in the early stages of their professional careers, but their friendship stretches back a long way.
Both have known each other for some time and have played alongside each other for years, coming through the age groups at Oakwell and up to first-team level.
They have also lined up together in the red of Wales - in various representative sides— and even played on the same North Wales team in north-versus-south fixtures as youngsters.
Despite their friendship, there remains a healthy competitive edge between the pair, partly forged by academy coach Nicky Eaden, who took it upon himself to place them on different sides in training.
Yoganathan said: "Even since we were young, our coach Nicky Eaden always put us on different teams for small-sided games and pushed us.
"We were always seen as the captains and then obviously, the rest of the teams would split off and we'd always be against each other.
"It's always been a thing. Even now, we are fighting for positions.
"We are always good mates off the pitch, but that competitiveness has always been there and I guess it makes us both better."
Yoganathan, one of a small number of South Asian footballers operating in the EFL, was happy with his first full season as an established Reds' first-teamer in 2025-26, but remains keen to improve certain aspects of his game.
The 20-year-old continued: "I am definitely happy, but it's about keeping a middle ground and not getting too ahead or down on myself.
"I was playing at Anfield (in FA Cup tie against Liverpool at Anfield in January), but then at the same time, I have not been in squads.
"When I have been on my game and felt my best, I feel like I have driven forward with the ball and beaten players.
"In a couple of games against Cardiff, Exeter and Mansfield, I felt like I was doing that a lot.
"Obviously, a lot of people speak about getting more goals and assists for me personally. That's just something I want to push and aim for.
"I work on my finishing every day and I am looking for how I can improve that and my assists."