Barnsley could be set for a major striker reinforcement drive when the transfer window opens next week after their trio of misfiring front men Michael Smith, Simeon Jackson and Conor Wilkinson were all allowed to leave the club today.
The three have been desperately disappointing during their short times at the club, scoring just the once between them (an effort by Wilkinson on the opening day at Chesterfield)
Originally, Barnsley had a transfer offer accepted by Bolton Wanderers for 20-year-old Wilkinson in the summer but the striker rejected the move and instead joined on loan in July. However his attitude has been criticised during his time at the club and today head coach Lee Johnson stated “I’m disappointed in him if I’m honest. I think he’s got all the talent in the world but his application needs to improve. He could be anything, but it’s up to him. If he improves his ways the world's his oyster.” He has failed miserably to impress during his 12 appearances, the last of which came during the humiliating FA Cup exit at Altrincham in November.
24 year old Smith arrived originally on loan from Swindon in September with the view to a permanent move in January and big things were expected after he bagged 18 goals for the Robins last season but that future deal has now been scrapped and Smith will return to the County Ground after failing to net in 12 appearances (albeit only four of those were starts)
And finally 28 year old Jackson signed a short term contract in September and again was highly rated after scoring 97 goals in 313 games for six clubs but has struggled to produce any form at Oakwell and was also goal-less from 10 games.
On Smith, Johnson said: “Michael Smith will be going back to Swindon. We had a pre-set transfer in place for him but he hasn’t played as much as he would have hoped. There are times he would have started like JPT games but he couldn’t because of the restrictions on the loan.
And on Jackson he added:
“Simeon Jackson is going to move on. He’s a great lad and been excellent around the place and consistent in his training and personality, he just needs a run of games, he hasn’t really had the opportunity. He’s got great movement, Premiership standard in my opinion. He’s match fit and ready, he just needs to be guaranteed starts.
The moves today leaves Barnsley with just Sam Winnall and Marley Watkins as recognised frontmen.