Michal Helik gives Barnsley FC chief Gerhard Struber food for thought

The bouquets may have arrived for his team-mates further forward following a vibrant first-half performance in particular on a night when the visitors comprehensively booked a marquee Carabao Cup date at Chelsea next week, but what happened after the interval did not escape Gerhard Struber.

As the Reds head coach correctly stated, the game became a fight of set-piece and long ball duels, with Boro going direct in their quest to navigate their way back into the tie after trailing 2-0 at the interval.

The sight of Polish defender Helik, Mads Andersen and others getting in the way of most things and showing aggression in the way in which they attacked the ball was a tick in the box for Struber.

Helik’s relish for combat was clearly seen in the process and in many ways it represented the perfect examination for the former Cracovia player.

The showings of others also planted a firm seed in Struber’s mind, not necessarily for selection for next week’s trip to Stamford Bridge, but primarily for Saturday’s Championship appointment at Reading.

Struber said: “It is very good when I can use my whole squad. Many players showed me that they are ready, especially Helik. He was a new player in his first game and it showed me that with him, we are very clear with long balls and he is very helpful for us.

“He helped us from the first second and he showed me he is ready.

“I have many thoughts in my brain in the next few days over which ones will play against Reading. It is good. We had a better handling in the aggression than against Luton and we broke the plan of the opposition.

“It showed me that everyone had a good fight and I hope we are ready against Reading.”

The sight of Luke Thomas posing considerable problems for Boro’s stodgy backline and providing two assists also marked Struber’s card as did the performance of Patrick Schmidt, who scored a clever goal and is demonstrably a more confident player these days.

Jordan Williams’s prowess as a player with tactical versatility and athleticism to match was also showcased in a left wing-back role, giving further food for thought for Struber.

He added: “Alongside Helik, there was also Luke Thomas, Patrick Schmidt and Jordan, who scored one of the first goals in his whole career.

“Everyone had the chance to score goals and Jordan made it and Patrick showed me one more time that he is ready for the goal. It is good for me and a good feeling and Brad (Collins) also did a fantastic job in goal.”

Struber continued: “We have had good thoughts with Patrick. He has one year in the Championship in his body and brain and his experiences help him.

“He has grown up from a physical side and now he is a good position in the opponents’ box and very smart and his clinical form is very good. It is no surprise, also in Austria he made many goals and now I hope he can score goals in the Championship.”

On a night when Boro’s back-up players fluffed their lines in the main, Neil Warnock’s desire to bring in further frontline and senior options will have hardened.

He found out a bit more about several of his squad players and plenty of it will not have been to his particular liking.

Boro are again being strongly linked with West Brom’s Kenneth Zohore and another experienced centre-defensive recruit is likely to be at the forefront of Warnock’s mind as well.

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James Mitchinson