Yorkshire's The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
METEOROLOGICAL matters – and not just managerial concerns – will be occupying the thoughts of Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane throughout mid-winter and beyond.
His side, who travel to Anfield for a marquee FA Cup date at Liverpool next Monday, are due to return to league action on Saturday week at home to Blackpool, weather permitting.
The length of time between that Oakwell date on January 17 and the end of the regular League One season on May 2 is 105 days. Three-and-a-half months.
Within that time, the Reds must fit in 25 remaining league fixtures. A quick mathematical calculation means that they will be playing once every four-and-a-bit days.
Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane. Picture: Tony Johnson.placeholder image
Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane. Picture: Tony Johnson.
Alongside the weather, there’s potential further disruption in early spring, with the final international break of the season beginning after the March 21 programme.
Barnsley have had games postponed in all three earlier international windows so far in 2025-26.
So it’s small wonder that Hourihane will be a bit anxious about the weather more than most rival bosses this winter. His side have played just 10 home league games so far this term.
Barnsley’s gruelling schedule means there will be limited preparation time ahead of matches. It will be a diet of game/rest-and-recovery/game.
Reds winger Reyes Cleary. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.placeholder image
Reds winger Reyes Cleary. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
It explains why Hourihane – who has recalled Corey O’Keeffe from his loan spell at Stockport County - is so keen for reinforcements during the winter window and requires help.
He has wrung plenty out of three highly promising young players in the shape of Jono Bland, Vimal Voganathan and Reyes Cleary in particular.
The Reds chief has already referenced the need for new arrivals to bolster his squad to give them the occasional breather to keep them fresh and avoid ‘flogging’ them in his words and the point he makes is an extremely valid one.
He needs seasoned players who know the level and not project signings to help in that.
Speaking recently, he said: "We've got some really exciting players and the club's in a bit of a phase now where there's a little bit of a rebuild with younger, exciting players.
"If we can recruit properly in January, then hopefully we'll get some players to guide the younger lads as well."
Guide being the operative word.
In terms of defensive options, Barnsley are already one down after the decision was made to end Jake Rooney's loan early.
Having failed to bring in a senior forward at the end of the summer window after making an abortive move to sign Bolton Wanderers’ John McAtee, recruiting at least one more option in the final third is another must.
Jon Russell's future remains up in the air at the start of 2026. Meanwhile, the club will be desperate to finally move on midfield outcast Kelechi Nwakali, who has not been in Hourihane's plans all season, while the need to retain Davis Keillor-Dunn and Adam Phillips goes without saying.
In a weather-disrupted programme on Sunday, the top three all won to extend their buffer at the top. Below that, anything can happen. Just 11 points separate 17 clubs – from fourth-placed Huddersfield Town down to the side just outside of the relegation zone in Leyton Orient.
Barnsley may have games in hand on everyone, but they are also just two points clear of fourth-from-bottom Burton Albion as it stands. They have won just once in their last six outings, losing on four occasions, including back-to-back home reverses over Christmas.
It intensifies the need for newcomers this month, with an arduous itinerary leaving them highly vulnerable if you factor in a few untimely key injuries amid a comparatively young squad at this level.
While Barnsley's most recent inactivity at Port Vale on Sunday provided another addition to their already crammed schedule, postponements were rather more timely for bottom four sides Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham United.
Rovers have already added to their squad in the shape of Darren Robinson and Bayley McCann, who has been loaned straight out to Alfreton.
Manager Grant McCann has suggested that more signings are in the offing and Rovers will need them – principally at both ends of the pitch.
Robinson and McCann look to be ones for the future as opposed to the here and now. In the present, Doncaster need some proven operators, like Barnsley. Hakeeb Adelakun is a target.
Sunday's postponement for the Millers, in the midst of yet another injury crisis and a horrible run of form, will at least afford Matt Hamshaw some extra time to hopefully get a few players back in contention for Saturday's derby at Bradford City. Bringing in new signings will not be easy in a month in which back-to-back home games with AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town leap from the page.