Good News: Barnsley Has Just Revealed “It Effort Not Out Of Place” As The Squad Is Increased With A High Rated Key Player

The 21-year-old played for Doncaster Rovers toward the end of the previous season, when he made an impression as a cog in Grant McCann’s center midfield engine.

After joining Doncaster in January 2024, Craig played 20 games for the team when they made a last-ditch effort to secure a League Two play-off position. He joined Rovers barely above the relegation zone, and departed once they managed to finish in fifth place.

During his tenure, he made his debut in the English Football League (EFL), contributing to two goals and scoring one himself. Before losing to Crewe Alexandra in a penalty shootout in the semifinals, McCann’s team stormed up the table to go into the top seven.

In the red and white of Doncaster, he made an impression by mostly playing in a defensive capacity but, when needed, switching to an offensive one inside the Rovers midfield.

The only criticism I have about his tenure in that region of South Yorkshire is that it was clearly inexperienced. He received five yellow cards, or one per four games on average, and each time he did, he forfeited a portion of the match. He walked a tightrope to avoid receiving a second booking, which caused him to back off from challenges and lose the aggression he had previously displayed.

With a little more experience, I think my final point can be mitigated. And for that reason, I believe that Craig and Barnsley will benefit greatly from this decision.

Skilled manager Conor Hourihane made his way back to Oakwell this summer following his promotion with Derby County into the Championship. Saying that the 33-year-old has experience in the EFL would be a fair assessment.

Playing with someone who has been there and done that would undoubtedly help Craig, who has gained experience from Hourihane throughout his career. The Scotland youth international will be surrounded by more seasoned teammates at Barnsley, so he can work out any little kinks in his game.

I think Matthew Craig, a graduate of the Tottenham Hotspur system, has a very bright future. He earned a promotion to the next tier by excelling in a Doncaster Rovers club that was on the rise the previous season.

At Barnsley, he will have the opportunity to develop even further while gaining knowledge from a seasoned and competent midfield group and enhancing his already potent skill set.

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