Fresh claim made on David McGoldrick situation at Barnsley FC - 'I'm personally not worried' | OneFootball

FLW's Tykes fan pundit still wishes for a striker addition this January, after missing out on one in the summer

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…

David McGoldrick's time at Barnsley so far has been frustrating to say the least.

Back in the third tier for the first time since he netted 22 for Derby County in the 2022/23 campaign, goals have been hard to come by for the 37-year-old, albeit not for the lack of trying.

McGoldrick hasn't scored a league goal since the third game of the season, going nine games without finding the back of the net.

However, he's taken the 10th most shots out of everyone in the third tier, and has an xG of 4.26, showing that he's been getting in good positions and having many opportunities to score, but only being able to convert twice is rather concerning. Only Nakhi Wells has a poorer xG differential than the Irishman.

Turning 38 in late November, many are questioning whether the striker who was once ageing like fine wine has turned sour, and if Conor Hourihane should be looking for a new frontman this coming January.

FLW's Barnsley fan pundit, Andy Symcox, feels that, despite McGoldrick's struggles in finding the net in league action, he doesn't believe that he should be replaced in January.

The 37-year-old has shown he can be prolific, netting a hat trick in the Tykes' EFL Trophy win against Manchester United's U21s, and it surely will only be a matter of time before his luck starts to turn in League One.

"I'm personally not worried about David McGoldrick's goal tally so far this season," Symcox said.

"He's had several really good chances close in that goalkeepers have managed to block.

"I have no doubt that he'll score goals. His overall play is really decent, slightly different to what we have elsewhere."

Despite his backing of McGoldrick, the fan pundit still believes that his side should be in the market for a new striker this coming January.

Outside McGoldrick and Davis Keillor-Dunn, Barnsley's senior options up top are very limited, and Symcox felt that the Tykes should have brought in a new striker last summer, so his stance on that hasn't changed.

"Regarding a striker in January, I felt we should have signed a striker in the summer to complement Keillor-Dunn, so that hasn't changed for January," he continued.

"But that's not a replacement for McGoldrick and his goals, but in addition," Symcox stressed.

"I'd have personally liked someone like Joe Taylor, who is currently plying his trade at Huddersfield Town."

Joe Taylor would be a great January coup for Barnsley

Joe Taylor playing for Luton Town

If the Barnsley fan pundit's wishes are heard this January, the Tykes will be in a great position, as Taylor would be a great signing for Conor Hourihane's side.

After lighting up both League Two and League One in two loan spells with Colchester United and Lincoln City, respectively, during the 2023/24 campaign, the 22-year-old frontman has lost his way slightly.

He didn't make an impact in the Championship with Luton Town last season, and his midseason switch to The Accu Stadium for £3 million was largely disappointing, too, scoring twice as Huddersfield slumped to a mid-table finish.

Under Lee Grant, Taylor has been on the fringes at Huddersfield, making just five starts in League One so far this season. Despite this, he has still found the back of the net on three occasions.

A move would be tricky, as Taylor's a year into his four-and-a-half-year contract with the Terriers, but if the 22-year-old continues to be unfavoured, a switch from West to South Yorkshire may not be completely out of the question.

If there's a world where he does make that move, McGoldrick finds his shooting boots once more, and Keillor-Dunn remains League One's top scorer, Barnsley could be a terrifying prospect going forward in the second half of the season.