Barnsley FC concern issued over summer signing - there were "eyebrows raised" at his Tykes arrival | OneFootball

David McGoldrick has proven to be a shrewd signing for Conor Hourihane, but will it last the course of the season?

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…

It has been a strong start to the 2025-26 season for Barnsley in what is Conor Hourihane's first full season in charge of the Tykes, as they sit among League One's early-season pace-setters.

After previously being among the third-tier's strongest outfits following relegation from the Championship three years ago, the South Yorkshire side posted their worst league finish in 21 years last campaign and have immediately set about rectifying such circumstances under the full-time management of their former midfielder.

As a result, Hourihane has overseen plenty of change at Oakwell this summer, particularly in the attacking department, where plenty of new additions have been made.

Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of intrigue showcased when it was confirmed that the Reds had moved to secure the services of David McGoldrick on a one-year contract following his departure from League Two side and boyhood club, Notts County, at the end of last season.

The 37-year-old has become one name immediately associated with the EFL as a whole for his contributions to clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two over the course of the past decade and more.

However, the early signs are that Hourihane has pulled off a shrewd piece of business by reuniting with his former Republic of Ireland teammate.

David McGoldrick has made a strong start to life with Barnsley FC in League One - there are concerns though

McGoldrick has always earned praise for his in-game intelligence as well as his goalscoring nous which has been key in several play-off and promotion bids for the likes of Sheffield United, Derby County, Ipswich Town and Notts County in previous seasons.

The Nottingham-born forward, who is also capable of featuring in wide areas, has found the back of the net 165 times across English football's top four divisions, with two of those coming against Burton Albion and Bolton Wanderers for his current employers.

With McGoldrick still able to still offer bursts of pace against opposing full-backs and centre-backs, as well as having the ability to bring others, such as Davis Keillor-Dunn, Caylan Vickers and Adam Phillips into play, Football League World's Barnsley fan pundit, Andy Symcox, has been impressed by his start at Oakwell, although there are slight doubts as to whether such contributions can be maintained over the course of a gruelling season.

"There were eyebrows raised when David McGoldrick signed for Barnsley, given that he's 37 years old and 38 in November," Symcox told FLW.

"However, having started every league game, he has shown his worth on the pitch.

"He can hold up the ball and bring other players in. He gets into good positions and, although he's scored two goals, he could've scored more but for good saves by keepers.

"At League One level, so far, I've been very impressed with David.

"The only issue is if, at 37, he can continue playing every league game as it's a punishing league and knocks can take a while to recover from as players get older."

David McGoldrick signing can be vital to Barnsley FC's aims on and off the pitch

It is clear that the 14-time international has quashed any doubts supporters or outsiders had when the signing was made, having shown no sign of losing his 'football brain' any time soon.

Symcox's questions over whether McGoldrick has the ability to start all 46 games at this stage of his career are understandable, but his presence will also then prove invaluable as a substitute option and to his fellow attacking colleagues.

For the likes of Vickers - who has also started the season in fine form - Keillor-Dunn and new winger Reyes Cleary, there arguably isn't a better mentor to have in the third-tier due to McGoldrick's vast array of experiences across all leagues, including a spell in the Premier League at Bramall Lane.

It remains to be seen whether he remains at Oakwell after the season finishes, but if such form continues, the club and Hourihane will certainly have plenty to think about.