By TarnTalk
September 15 2025

The Super Reds recorded yet another superb victory to continue their impressive start to the season.

Goals from Earl, Keillor-Dunn and a Phillips penalty were enough to secure a 3 – 2 win against Reading.

In truth, it could and should have been more comfortable for the reds who gifted Reading an equaliser when only one goal to the good. At the point Barnsley could have easily been two or three in front, and the players were clearly hurt to be level going to the break.

At 3 – 1 the reds again looked comfortablebut let Reading back in to make it squeaky bum time to the final whistle.

Due to circumstances beyond my control and despite being a season ticket holder, this was my first visit to Oakwell this season. I have had to watch all previous matches on television.

I had been impressed thus far by what I had seen this season, but I found it even more impressive to watch in person.

Nine minutes into the game and I turned to my friends and family and said that this was already better than anything we had to endure over the last two seasons, and they all agreed.

It was 100 mph attacking football and it was pleasure to watch. Obviously, it is impossible to keep that up for 90 minutes and the opposition will have their moments but in general it is a breath of fresh air to dross that was dished up since Duff’s departure.

Credit to Hourihane for bringing us entertaining, winning football. And this may be first for me but credit to the board for giving Hourihane the job and allowing him to bring in the players he wanted to fit his system.

I though Connell and Bland were absolutely outstanding in midfield. Especially Connell who was my man of the match. I though Bland ran him close but faded towards the end which is to be expected for a young lad who hasn’t played many 90 minutes at this level.

The two full backs were also excellent. Ogbeta will get the credit due to winning the penalty and the assist for Keillor-Dunn, although Connells’ ball was what truly created that. But for me Watson was even better and just goes about his business with minimal fuss.

Phillips and Keillor-Dunn will get you goals, and Vickers is the winger we have been crying out for. McGoldrick needs credit for doing a good job out on the left, team player. I don’t think the Russell experiment out there really worked but it was certainly worth a try given our lack of options at the top end of the pitch.

I’m still not sure about the centre halves. I do think Shepherd has got better as the season as gone on but is far from the finished article. Earl is a more frustrating case as he is a better player or more seasoned pro, but he gets himself in trouble by taking too many touched or trying to carry the ball when he shouldn’t. He was caught several times on Saturday and was lucky to get away with it.

As for the keeper, in general I think he is miles better than any keeper we had between the sticks last season, but it was a shocking error for the equaliser.

A lot think he shouldn’t have even been out there, but I have no problem with that as he got there and there was a potential goal scoring opportunity as the attacker could have been able to cut back in and have a one on one with Cooper. But when you get there, you just need to put the ball in the stands. What he was doing and how he missed the ball is still a mystery to me after many replays, but mistakes happen and hopefully he will learn from it.

It may only be September, but I have already allowed myself to get excited about a possible promotion push and I am once again enjoying watching my team play.

COYR