"I didn’t share that belief" - Barnsley: Claim made on Adam Phillips, Luca Connell transfer situation | OneFootball

The pair stuck with the Tykes this summer, and are thriving at Oakwell at the start of the current campaign

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

With transfer business complete for another summer, clubs across the EFL now have chance to take stock and look ahead to the rest of the calendar year as the season gets into full swing.

Barnsley are a side that will be looking to kick on after a second-successive playoff near miss in the previous campaign, despite a number of top players moving away from the club during the off-season.

While there were those that left Oakwell for a move higher up the football pyramid, the Tykes have managed to maintain a large nucleus of the squad from the previous campaign, as they look to challenge near the top once again under new boss Darrell Clarke.

With a number of top talents staying put, we put it to Football League World’s Barnsley fan pundit Andy Symcox as to whether he was surprised by the commitment shown to the club from some key personnel.

Barnsley stars show faith as Darrell Clarke tenure begins

With Neill Collins departing Oakwell so close to the end of last season, it was a summer of transition for Barnsley, with Clarke arriving to attempt to carry on the momentum of the previous two campaigns, as well as trying to keep hold of some of the Yorkshire side’s main protagonists.

While last season’s top scorer Devante Cole left for West Bromwich Albion after his deal with the Tykes came to an end, while Callum Styles also moved to the Hawthorns, following on from his loan to Sunderland in the second-half of the last campaign.

Jordan Williams also made the move to Portsmouth, with the defender heading out the same door as Herbie Kane, who joined divisional rivals Huddersfield Town.

There was also reported interest in hotshot Adam Phillips, with the midfielder said to be tempting Preston North End, while Luca Connell’s commitment to the cause has seen him given the armband for the season ahead.

Despite the pair showing plenty of promise in recent seasons, Symcox was never worried they would be leaving Oakwell this summer, with their longevity at Oakwell never in doubt.

The Tykes fan said: “The players that did leave were all expected to leave, but a number of fans thought that we would sell either Adam Phillips or Luca Connell.

“I didn’t share that belief because I believe that they are both settled at Oakwell and doing well.

“It is no surprise to me that Callum Styles left, I think that had been an open secret for a long time that he wanted to leave, and it was just a matter of if any club that came up with a price that was acceptable to the club, and obviously he went to West Brom.”

Barnsley reaping rewards from Luca Connell, Adam Phillips commitment

After defeat to Mansfield Town on the opening day of the season, Clarke has enjoyed a relatively successful start to life in the Oakwell hotseat, with Phillips and Connell once again proving to be influential.

Connell has thrived with the new responsibility of having the armband, and netted his side’s first goal of the campaign in the defeat to the Stags, before once again proving to be a top midfielder for the level with some assured performances in the middle of the park.

Phillips has also hit the ground running with three goals in the opening four games, as a brace against Crawley Town last time out further highlighted his quality in that attacking midfield role.

With the pair already showing their brilliance at the start of this campaign, things are continuing to look bright for Barnsley, and both Phillips and Connell could have a massive part to play if the Tykes are to go one better than the last two seasons in the current campaign.