Barnsley need Tom Bradshaw, their joint-top goal scorer this season, to step up when it matters most of all; and he can be the main man at Oakwell for years to come.

It has been a troubling 2017/18 season for Barnsley and their supporters. The Tykes, one of the primary contenders for relegation back in August, have struggled to inspire confidence for most of the campaign and a drop into League One is now a distinct possibility. Barnsley need Tom Bradshaw, their joint-top goal scorer this season, to step up when it matters most of all; and he can be the main man at Oakwell for years to come.



Although his form has tailed off since joining Barnsley from Walsall in July 2016, Bradshaw is capable of producing a moment of magic on the big stage. His goal scoring record since the start of 2018 isn’t exactly great but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Bradshaw notch the decisive goal that secures Barnsley’s Championship status. He has the 'big game' pedigree and will be desperate to gain respect from fans after a difficult spell.


With three wins in their previous 14 Championship games, Barnsley have shown glimpses of quality in recent months but that might not be enough to avoid the drop. Keeping Bradshaw on the books will become a top priority for Jose Morais (or his successor) this summer – the Tykes will need players to commit their long-term futures to the club and Bradshaw, linked with a move to Reading, could stay at Oakwell if they avoid relegation.

Despite that record, you could argue that Barnsley have not made significant improvement during Morais’ tenure. The Tykes were languishing in the relegation zone when he took over at the helm and they’ve gained just one place since February 16th. Whatever happens this weekend, fans will have reservations over whether Morais should be allowed to see out the remainder of his 18-month contract.

Bradshaw’s drop-off in form will be of some concern to the Oakwell faithful; the Welshman has scored just once in his last 23 Barnsley appearances but did represent his nation in their two China Cup fixtures in March. The Tykes are 4/5 in the latest football betting odds to drop out of the second tier but a return to form for Bradshaw could make all the difference. That 2-0 victory over Brentford in their last Championship outing has given Barnsley a chance.


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Ian Wilkinson

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