Opposition Lowdown: Darrell Clarke's Barnsley

Reading face a fourth consecutive away league game this Tuesday evening when they take on Barnsley. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.

Form

Barnsley finished sixth in League One last season, securing a place in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Unlike the previous season they were unable to make the playoff final, losing to Bolton Wanderers 4-5 over two legs.

This season marks their third straight year in the third tier following their relegation from the Championship in 2022, when they finished bottom of the league. The Tykes are fighting at the right end of the table again this season, currently sitting sixth in the league following seven wins, five draws and four losses.

Their recent form has been relatively strong, having seen two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five games. They come into Tuesday’s game off the back of a 0-1 home defeat to Wigan Athletic.

Barnsley claimed a 1-3 win against the Royals at the Select Car Leasing Stadium last December, before the two sides played out a 2-2 draw at Oakwell back in April, when the Tykes came from behind twice after goals from Sam Smith and Lewis Wing.

The boss

Darrell Clarke: Clarke was appointed Barnsley head coach in May, taking over from Neill Collins, who was sacked one game before the end of the regular season.

Clarke had an 18-year career as a player in which he represented the likes of Mansfield Town, Hartlepool United and Salisbury City. The former midfielder saw his first managerial role come at Salisbury City, where he became player-manager in 2010.

He secured two promotions in his three years at the club and went on to join Bristol Rovers as assistant manager in 2013. He took over as full-time manager in 2014 and spent over four years in charge of the Gas, where he won back-to-back promotions in 2015 and 2016, guiding the side back to League One.

A spell in charge of Walsall followed, before he became Port Vale manager in 2021, where he secured another promotion, guiding Vale back to League One via the playoffs.

Clarke joined Cheltenham Town in September last year, but suffered relegation to League Two last season. Barnsley came calling at the end of last season and Clarke has had a good start in charge so far, guiding them to sixth in the league.

The 46-year-old likes his sides to play attacking football and usually favours going two up top.

Squad

Nine players joined the Tykes this summer, with seven joining on permanent deals and two coming in on loan. Left-back Georgie Gent signed from Blackburn Rovers for a transfer fee, alongside goalkeeper Jackson Smith, midfielder Kelechi Nwakali and forward Davis Keillor-Dunn.

Defender Marc Roberts and forward Stephen Humphrys signed on free transfers, alongside veteran midfielder Conor Hourihane, who joined as a player coach.

Barnsley received a transfer fee for midfielder Callum Styles, who joined Championship side West Bromwich Albion, alongside striker Devante Cole, who joined them on a free transfer. Defenders Jordan Williams and Robbie Cundy and midfielders Herbie Kane and Nicky Cadden also left the club on free transfers.

Midfielder Josh Benson and forward Max Watters are both expected to miss out on Tuesday evening’s game through injury.

Predicted lineup

Killip, de Gevigney, Roberts, Earl, O’Keefe, Gent, Phillips, Connell, Russell, Humphrys, Keillor-Dunn

Key player

Marc Roberts: Defender Roberts joined Barnsley this summer, joining on a free transfer following the end of his contract at Birmingham City, starting his second spell at the club.

The Barnsley-born defender started his career at Wakefield before spending time at Worksop Town and Buxton. He joined FC Halifax Town in 2013 and spent two seasons at the club, making 93 appearances.

He joined Barnsley in 2015 and spent two seasons at the Tykes, while also being named team captain. Roberts signed for Birmingham in 2017 and made 197 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals over the course of seven seasons.

The 34-year-old starts his second spell at Barnsley as their vice captain and has made 19 appearances so far, scoring four goals. Roberts is a centre-back who is strong in the air in both defence and attack.

One to watch

Luca Connell: Midfielder Connell joined Barnsley in June 2022, on a free transfer following the end of his contract with Celtic.

He started his career at Bolton Wanderers, graduating from their youth team, before making 12 appearances for the club. Connell joined Celtic on a permanent deal in 2019, but he never made a first-team appearance for the club.

While at Celtic he had two separate loan spells at Queens Park, representing the club 42 times and scoring 10 goals.

Since joining Barnsley, Connell has made 96 appearances and have five goals and 15 assists to his name. The 23-year-old was named club captain in August this year.

He has also represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 level. Connell is a defensive midfielder who is a strong passer of the ball, whilst also being an effective set-piece taker.