Doncaster Rovers evidence shows Barnsley, Tottenham transfer agreement was a no-brainer for all parties: View | OneFootball

Barnsley signed 21 year old defensive midfielder Matthew Craig on a season long loan from Tottenham this week bolstering the reds midfield options

Highlights

Barnsley have signed 21-year-old midfielder Matthew Craig on a season-long loan from Tottenham and, given the player's impact last season at Doncaster Rovers, this appears a no-brainer for all parties.

Craig was instrumental in turning Doncaster`s form around when he signed in the second half of last season. The League Two side went on a phenomenal run after the midfielder's arrival going from near relegation places to the play-offs, where they ultimately fell short with defeat against Crewe.

This loan to Barnsley makes sense for all parties. Craig will bring some much-needed depth to Barnsley`s midfield, and he is likely to get regular game time with the recent injury to Josh Benson. Tottenham will, naturally, see their player get much-needed minutes to develop in a challenging division.

During his loan spell at Doncaster, Craig played 20 times, scoring once in a remarkable run that saw the South Yorkshire club rise up the table with a promotion push. To have captured a player whose impact last season turned the heads of Championship clubs is a real boost for manager Darrell Clarke.

Craig adds depth to Barnsley midfield

With injuries to midfielders Matty Wolfe and Benson coupled with the departure of Herbie Kane, Barnsley have provided manager Darrell Clarke with some much-needed depth in midfield. Last season, Luca Connell missed a large part of the season through illness, with Jon Russell struggling to hold down a regular place in the side, meaning Adam Phillips and Kane bore most of the responsibility in midfield – with the latter playing a deeper role that didn't always suit him.

Although ex-red Conor Hourihane has returned to the club this summer, the player and his manager have made it clear that the Irishman will not be a regular in the Barnsley midfield next season, given his age and new coaching responsibilities.

It is likely that Craig will play regularly and a partnership alongside Connell could inject some much-needed energy into the Barnsley side.

Midfielder fits Clarke's style of pressing football

It is well documented that Barnsley last season under Neill Collins lacked any sort of intensity and pressing style of football. Previously, Barnsley have been renowned for working hard all over the pitch, especially under managers Michael Duff and Valerien Ismael.

Craig described himself as a hard worker both in and out of possession after joining Doncaster. His willingness to break up the opposition's play and quickly turn defence into attack is something that was lacking in last season's midfield, which often appeared slow and ponderous.

This move is a step up for Craig, having sampled League Two football last season. League One this year looks like a very competitive division with the likes of Birmingham City, Huddersfield and Rotherham all hoping for a quick return to the Championship. Add last season's beaten play-off finalists Bolton and Blackpool and Peterborough all vying for promotion with Wrexham and Stockport coming up from League Two, this could be the closest league for some years.

It is an opportunity for Craig to test himself and for his parent club, Tottenham, to see their player develop. Barnsley fans will be hoping Craig can transfer his form from last season into driving the club's promotion bid this season.

This piece of transfer business looks a no-brainer for Barnsley, having secured the services of a talented midfielder who is keen and ready to hit the ground running this season.