Barnsley look to bounce back quickly as they earn respect of Championship rivals

WHEN talk turns to Barnsley these days, the ‘R’ word that second-tier rivals increasingly speak about revolves around respect and not relegation.
CONFIDENT:  Barnsley goalkeeper Jack Walton. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty ImagesCONFIDENT:  Barnsley goalkeeper Jack Walton. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
CONFIDENT: Barnsley goalkeeper Jack Walton. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

As far as goalkeeper Jack Walton is concerned, it represents another barometer of their recent progress, which was checked by an impressive Brentford side in a 1-0 Championship loss on Tuesday.

After the game, Bees head coach Thomas Frank spoke warmly about Barnsley and admitted his side had to be at their best tactically to beat such a ‘brilliant’ in-form side, in his words.

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Walton said: “When you put a string of performances together, it highlights us and teams will probably be watching us a bit more and thinking: ‘we have got to do something different’ or play really well to beat them.

Ivan Toney's shot finds the back of the net to put Brentford in the lead at Oakwell.  Picture: Bruce RollinsonIvan Toney's shot finds the back of the net to put Brentford in the lead at Oakwell.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Ivan Toney's shot finds the back of the net to put Brentford in the lead at Oakwell. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

“At the end of the day, those are the levels and we need to up it even more.

“We have had a good base and run and it has come to an end. We have now got to improve and be better, which everyone in the changing room knows.

“But as a team, we have done well overall. We played a top team in the league in Brentford and 99 per cent of the game was even. It was fine margins in the game and, unfortunately, we were on the wrong end.

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Given the high standards that he and his team-mates have set, there was still disappointment for Walton after former Barnsley loanee Ivan Toney’s 66th-minute header proved the difference as the Reds conceded for the first time in four home matches under Valerien Ismael.

But the feeling will not linger.

Walton, who produced another strong performance to continue his own impressive recent form, said: “As a goalkeeper, I pride myself on clean sheets and keeping the ball out of the net. The record is good, but I want to improve.

“But in football, you don’t take the highs too high or the lows too low. After wins, we are not bouncing around the changing room thinking we are world-beaters. Equally, when we lose, our heads aren’t down.”

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