The excellent run continues: Reflections from Barnsley’s triumph over Wycombe Wanderers

The Championship’s inform team, Barnsley FC continued their imperious purple-patch of form with a 3-1 victory away at bottom of the table Wycombe Wanderers.

As a result of the win, Barnsley climb to 5th in the Championship and yet again strengthen their playoff credentials, here are some reflections from the Tykes victory in Buckinghamshire.

Daryl Dike once again shows his class

Since arriving in England, USA international striker Daryl Dike seems to be improving game-by-game and showed evidence of that with his display at Adams Park.

The two goals the American scored were crucial for Barnsley as the 20-year-old scored his first brace in English football, in a showing where he once again demonstrated his attacking prowess.

Dike has been a key figure in Barnsley recent run of success and his performances have helped fire Barnsley into the upper echelons of the Championship standings, with the prospect of coming up against the striker likely to scare just about any defender in the League.

Mowatt red-card a blow

On a relatively smooth-sailing evening for Barnsley in which little went wrong, one of the few negatives for the Tykes will be the red-card and subsequent suspension branded to Captain Alex Mowatt.

The 26-year-old was sent off in the 73rd minute of the affair in Buckinghamshire, and while it had no impact on the outcome of the game it means that the Tykes are likely to be without their leader in their Yorkshire derby with fierce rivals Sheffield Wednesday at the Weekend.

Reds manager Valerien Ismael has however revealed his intention to appeal against the decision, meaning that the Tykes could still have the Yorkshire born midfielder available for their upcoming clash if the red card is over turned.

A huge win in the playoff race

While a matchup with the bottom of the table Wycombe could’ve been passed as one of the less important games for Barnsley in the run-in between now and the end of the season, it was still crucial they remained focused and saw out the match against an outfit that weren’t capable of replicating their levels.

While Barnsley saw out the victory, their playoff rivals Reading didn’t and slipped up at the hands of Birmingham City, who sit 21st in the Championship table.

The result for Reading only further proves the unpredictability of the Championship and while Barnsley made no mistake, their playoff rivals Reading did, and this will make Valerien Ismael feel even better about his side’s triumph.

Conclusion

Except from the aforementioned red-card for Alex Mowatt and the late goal the Tykes conceded it was a good-night at the office for Ismael and his Barnsley side.

While a win always seemed likely for the Tykes they had to ensure they put in an impressive display with the result for their fellow playoff hopefuls Reading a prime example of what can happen if you’re below-par.

So with one game to go until the international break, Barnsley currently sit 5th in the Championship table and will be hoping to maintain their remarkable run of form when they host bitter rivals, Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend and boost their chances further of finishing in the top six come the end of the season in May.