Talking points from Wigan draw

First half poor, second half better 

It was a tale of two halves as Barnsley started the game very poorly before improving significantly in the second half. Conor Hourihane said in his post-match interview that he went ‘ballistic’ at his players at half time and he can hardly be blamed as The Reds looked slow, timid and sloppy in possession in the first 45, with The Reds lacking energy and intensity. It was no surprise to see Reyes Clearly and Jonathan Bland enter the fray after the interval, and they immediately added energy as the Reds went on the front foot and may have even gone on to win the game if not for Luca Connell’s red card late on in the game. Wigan seemed more than happy to sit back in the second half and Barnsley managed to create a few chances, looking like a new team after Hourihane’s half time outburst. 

Adam Phillips needs to play in an attacking position 

Conor Hourihane has often referred to Adam Phillips as an ‘intelligent footballer’ throughout the season. Whilst having a few qualities that are similar to a deeper midfielder, it cannot be argued that Phillips demonstrates his football intelligence best as a right 10. Therefore, Hourihane may stop his experiment of putting the 27-year-old in the double pivot, instead playing him in right 10 position where he can influence the game the best. Phillips powered a shot past Sam Tickle in the Wigan goal on the 69th minute after being played in by David McGoldrick and looked a lot more comfortable playing further forward. The 27-year-old has proved himself a classy operator at League One level, getting lots of goals and assists every season, and it may benefit Barnsley more to play him further forward as The Reds look to turn around some poor form. 

Luca Connell moment of madness 

It was supposed to be a special day for Barnsley skipper Luca Connell, as the Irishman was making his 150th appearance for the Reds in his fourth season at the club. However, Connell was involved in an off-the-ball incident late in the second half, where he kicked out at Wigan’s Will Aimson during a tussle on the floor in which the Wigan defender seemed to strangle the Barnsley midfielder. Whilst Aimson escaped with just a yellow card, referee Ben Speedie brandished a red card to the Barnsley captain, and he will now miss the next three games due to violent conduct. It was a moment of madness for the usually reliable Connell, and it is even more frustrating considering the Reds lack another midfield profile like him in the squad. 

Murphy Cooper makes key saves 

QPR loanee Murphy Cooper has faced some criticism this campaign and whilst some of it is justified as he has been an ever-present in a Barnsley side that has the lowest number of clean sheets in the division with two, Cooper showed his qualities on New Year’s Day as he made sure The Reds left The Brick Community Stadium with something. The goalkeeper made three saves, including an impressive double save in the first half and a stunning stop to tip Wigan’s Christian Saydee’s close-range effort over the bar on the 81st minute. Cooper has shown at times this season why he kept 16 clean sheets for Stevenage last season and certainly showed his quality on Thursday afternoon. 

January additions desperately needed 

Conor Hourihane bemoaned Barnsley’s lack of squad depth at the end of the game, expressing frustration at the fact he could not substitute a central defender on after Barnsley went down to 10 men in the second half, due to there not being one on the bench. With Marc Roberts due to miss the next few weeks with an injury, and Jake Rooney returning to parent club Derby County, The Reds must bring in some new defensive additions in January. Barnsley may also benefit from another attacking option, in particular a right winger that wants to dribble and take players on like Reyes Clearly on the left wing or a target man that can hold the ball up in the final third. Barnsley may also benefit from bringing in a midfielder that can dictate play from deep like Luca Connell as none of Barnsley’s midfielders are particularly suited to that role.