My thoughts on the Barnsley FC retained list

Overall, the retained list, that took it's time to arrive, was a pretty good one. 

It was sensible and logical, which is hopefully the start of a good summer for Barnsley, as they look to climb the League One table next season. 

The club exercised a one-year option on Adam Phillips' contract, which was relieving. The 28-year-old has shown he is a top League One player throughout his time at Oakwell, hitting at least 10 goals in all competitions in his four years at the club. Whatever head coach occupies the dugout, he has shown he can perform. Sometimes the midfielder can go hiding in games, however he would be missed if he departed. I just hope to never see him deployed in defensive midfield again. 

Mael De Gevigney also had a one-year option extended, and rightly so it could be argued. I would have been happy to see the back of the Frenchman in the winter window; however he stepped up in the second half of the season, which has probably saved his Barnsley career. Although the defence was terrible for most of the season, I think the 26-year-old has his value in the squad, even as just a squad option. 

Jack Shepherd also saw a one-year option on his contract activated to keep him at the club. It is a move that has confused some, as he has looked very poor at times this season. However, it could be argued the 25-year-old was misused under Conor Hourihane. He is not a left-back as he is not comfortable enough on the ball, plus his lack of mobility saw him struggle to contribute to the attack and defend tricky wingers. I think that Shepherd disappointed many, as he was meant to be a central defender who could transform the defence after a promotion-winning season with Bradford in 2024/25. Many have said he would work best in the middle of a back three, something which Stendel most likely won't go with. However, if Stendel can give Shepherd some confidence, he may come good, but another poor season may see his Barnsley career come to an end.  

Andrew Dallas leaves Oakwell following the end of his contract, and this was to be expected. The 26-year-old never really looked up to the level, making just five appearances for The Reds. The striker has had five loan spells whilst at Oakwell, and scored goals at National League level, but has never showed enough to work his way back into a Barnsley squad that was low on strikers. His diving header in the 7-0 win over Port Vale on the opening game of the 2023/24 season was satisfying at least. 

Experienced defender Marc Roberts also departs Oakwell after making 62 appearances in his second stint as a Red. It is a move that makes sense for all parties, and Roberts is still a respected figure in the fanbase. The 35-year-old has probably never had to play out from the back as much as he has this season, and it is clearly not his game. I feel Roberts could still play at League Two level if he wants to, as he specialises in aerial duels and being physical, which is a key part of England's fourth tier.  

Jon Russell was also let go, and it feels like a case of what could have been for the Jamaican. He was one the club's best players in 2024/25, however Hourihane felt he wouldn't fit into his system anymore this season, so he struggled for game time before being loaned to Mansfield for the second half of the season. The midfielders lack of mobility lets him down, however there is no doubt he is a nuisance for opposition defenders with his height. The 25-year-old also wasn't settling for a bit-part role in the Barnsley squad and may have struggled to get into a competitive midfield next campaign. His five goals for The Stags weren't enough for the higher ups at Oakwell to keep him around, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up next. 

Tennai Watson also departs, and he looked a real coup at the start of the campaign, offering consistency and looking reliable defensively. However, he fell out of favour towards the end of the season, and him not being offered a new deal isn't surprising. The 29-year-old would have been a decent squad option, however his lack of attacking threat as a full back lets him down. His ability to play right back or left back was useful, however he never really made either position his own. 

Max Watters also leaves Barnsley, and he leaves me with more questions than answers about him. Dubbed 'xg Max Watters', the 27-year-old's lack of finishing ability was his downfall. The striker had a fair bit of pace and a few other attributes that could see him be a good League One striker however he never seemed to have any confidence and couldn't hit a barn door at times. There was the hope it would one day click for Watters; however, it never came to be. He had a good performance away at MK Dons off the bench in 2023 that always springs to mind, however he never really showed that clinical goal scoring ability again. He has scored just five goals on loan at Dundee United this season in all competitions.  

In terms of the loanees, it seems none of them will be around next season. 

Owen Goodman improved slightly as the season went on, arriving in January on loan from Crystal Palace, however it was unlikely Barnsley would sign him permanently. The Reds however do need to get an established first choice goalkeeper, which could be Jackson Smith who has impressed on loan at Grimsby. 

Nathanael Ogbeta was another player who started off the season well, before seeming to be another victim of Hourihane's constant chopping and changing of the starting XI. Going forward, the Plymouth loanee was great on the overlap, however a change of system saw the right side of the Barnsley team become the attacking flank, meaning a more defensive left back was needed, which isn't the 25-year-olds game. 

Tawanda Chirewa also won't be returning, which isn't Surprising as the 22-year-old Wolves loanee only played 10 minutes.  

Scott Banks may have been a good addition for The Reds, especially in a Stendel system as a winger, however his performances declined as the campaign came to an end. The 24-year-old loanee from St Pauli impressed when he first arrived in January, scoring one goal and picking up four assists in his first four Barnsley games. He couldn't quite keep those levels up, but it will be interesting to see where he ends up next. 

Tom Bradshaw also won't be returning as a Red. He arrived in January on loan from Oxford, and there is no doubt he wasn't giving everything for the shirt in his second spell at the club, constantly pressing opposition defenders. However, the 33-year-old only scored three goals in 19 matches, but I do feel he wouldn't have been a bad striker option. I feel he should have been offered a one-year deal, but he didn't pull up any trees in his loan spell to be fair.