Under their most recent managerial hire, Neill Collins, Barnsley has had a mixed start to the 2017 League One season.
After Michael Duff left for Swansea City in the summer, the 40-year-old assumed control of the first team squad.
After the squad lost the play-off final the previous season, Collins has been given the responsibility of guiding the Tykes back to the Championship at the second attempt.
Barnsley is currently ranked ninth in the third tier with 10 points out of a possible 18.
The Yorkshire team has improved recently, winning its previous two league games in a row against Cheltenham Town and Wigan Athletic to move up the League One standings.
How has Neill Collins performed since taking over as manager of Barnsley for Michael Duff?
Andy Symcox, a Barnsley supporter and FLW pundit, has noted a change in the team’s playing philosophy under the new management.
He has lauded Collins’ adjustments and believes the team’s current performance is a harbinger of things to come for the remainder of the season.
According to Symcox of Football League World, “Neill Collins has slightly changed the way Barnsley plays from Michael Duff.”
It’s the same formation, but Neill has made some changes.
“We don’t press quite as rapidly and intensely as we did last season, but as we saw against Cheltenham, we burst out of defense very, very quickly and finished with four against one.
It’s encouraging to realize that we can break so fast from that perspective.
“I believe he is gradually changing it to fit his own style, and for that reason, I’m happy with how it’s going.
“We won the first game [of the season] fairly easily, but the next couple of games weren’t [as much].”
“And we appeared a little ragged, especially in defense, but it appears that we are progressively starting to get it right.
“Neill Collins, congratulations.”
On the first day of the season, Barnsley defeated Port Vale with a score of 7-0, but they wouldn’t win again until a 2-0 triumph over the Latics four games later.
In what is expected to be a very tough League One season, the Tykes will be striving for a top six finish.
The team of Collins will play Burton Albion at home on September 16.
Will Neill Collins be able to promote Barnsley to League One?
Players are still getting used to their new management because a change in playing style will take some time to establish.
The team’s potential was demonstrated with the 7-0 victory over Port Vale, an outstanding start to the new semester.
After three losses, victories over Wigan and Cheltenham in the last two games provide some cause for confidence.
Collins will be hoping that the last two games are an indication of what to expect from this team for the remainder of the season because Barnsley will face tough competition for a promotion spot this year.
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