Leon Wobschall: How Barnsley and Mr Beane could be prove the perfect match

That particular characteristic has served Barnsley rather well for most of the past year or so in traditionally treacherous Championship waters, successfully competing against many of the ‘haves’ of the division who are blessed with fanbases, resources and budgets which far outstrip their own.

Ask the likes of Derby County, Aston Villa, Wolves, Norwich City and Leeds United, who have all perished in games against the Reds since the start of 2016-17. Others too.

The opening paragraph to this piece of course refers to the title of the award-winning book by Michael Lewis - published in 2003 -which chronicled the fortunes of the Oakland Athletics baseball team and its general manager Billy Beane.

Beane, of course, is the name on the lips of Reds supporters after it emerged that the baseball legend - famously played by Brad Pitt in a Hollywood film - is part of the consortium who are close to completing a takeover at Oakwell.

The premise of Moneyball was that an analytical and statistical approach to baseball could be successfully utilized to help a team comparatively disadvantaged in terms of finance - in the shape of Oakland - achieve success. Not just in baseball, but all team sports per se.

It showcased the ability of clubs on vastly smaller budgets to their rivals to buck the trend. Modest clubs punching above their weight and proving themselves among the best pound-for-pound fighters in their league.

Barnsley have very much already done that since arriving in the Championship. And a bit more besides.

Tipped by pundits as firm relegation candidates at the start of last season, the Reds made a mockery of that fact. A plethora of shrewd recruits from provincial clubs - headlined by messrs Hourihane, Winnall, Scowen, Roberts and Watkins - quickly made themselves at home in the Championship.

It is fair to say that if that squad had remained intact last January and a few smart buys had been ushered in to supplement what Barnsley already had, then a concerted play-off push would have been a real possibility.

Nevertheless, the Reds still finished in their highest league position since 2000.

In an age where the transfer approach of many clubs is scattergun and uncoordinated, Barnsley have shown structure and a touch of enlightenment.

Buy young and hungry players aged 25 and under for relatively modest amounts, and develop and sell for profit down the line.

Of course, it is not foolproof in terms of yielding results. Barnsley have had failures as well as successes in recent times. But it has been a strategic approach which has produced far more hits than misses. Research conducted before bringing in recruits is extensive.

The policy will no doubt not have been lost upon Beane and fellow consortium members - Chinese billionaire Chien Lee and US businessman Paul Conway either.

Barnsley’s coherence in the transfer market is also buttressed by a very decent record at academy level in developing top-class young talent. Think principally Mason Holgate and John Stones in recent times.

Of course, Barnsley have made mistakes along the way, most notably in their lack of foresight and proactiveness with contract extensions which has seen them lose the likes of Watkins and Scowen for nothing.

But there has been plenty to admire regarding Barnsley in recent times. It is a sustainable, sensible model and one many other aspiring clubs of similar size have noted.

And Mr Beane too, no doubt.