The Barnsley centre back resurrecting his career at Oakwell

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Barnsley FC are currently the team to beat in the Championship, and made it four wins on the trot with a mightily impressive victory over Stoke City on Wednesday night, in South Yorkshire.

The Tykes are currently embarking on a sensational run of form that has lifted them within a single point of the playoff standings in seventh place, with a game in hand on sixth place Cardiff City, putting them in a favourable position as things stand.

The Reds’ run in form and subsequent push for the playoffs has been due to the bravery and boldness of head coach Valerien Ismeal, who isn’t afraid to make bold team selections at Oakwell.

After his arrival Ismael offered the Barnsley players a clean slate, this has particularly benefited versatile defender Toby Sibbick, who had found himself sent out on loan and in a position of exile under previous head coach Gerhard Struber.

While Barnsley weren’t particularly active in the January transfer window they did bolster their attacking options with the signings of Carlton Morris and Daryl Dike, but perhaps a smart decision that went under the radar was the decision in December to recall Toby Sibbick, who had been out on loan with Belgian outfit Oostende.

The 22-year-old endured a miserable spell in Belgium failing to make a single appearance for Oostende, but has since returned to Oakwell with a point to prove.

Since returning to South Yorkshire Sibbick has made a real impression on the Tykes head coach, Ismael and has started to establish himself in Barnsley’s first team, featuring in the last four Barnsley games for the South Yorkshire side, and proving to be a key figure in their recent run of form.

It’s clear that the former Wimbledon man is reigniting his career with the Tykes and could prove to be a crucial player for Ismael between now and the end of the season, as Barnsley look to maintain their playoff ambitions, and fulfil their credentials for the top six.

With Valerien Ismeal opting for a 3-4-3 formation Barnsley need a defender who can sit in alongside defensive duo Michał Helik and Mads Andersen who have formed an excellent partnership at the back, with Sibbick proving he can join them and form a coherent defensive trio.

If the Tykes can continue to perform you can’t possibly rule them out of the equation for the Playoffs, and the surprising upturn in form of the formerly out of favour Toby Sibbick is a prime example of the success Ismael is currently having at Oakwell.

If Sibbick can continue to perform he will become a regular starter for the Tykes between now and the end of the season, as it would appear he has climbed above Aapo Halme and Micheal Sollbauer in the pecking order to feature in the starting line-up for Barnsley.