What Conor Hourihane has said about David McGoldrick situation at Barnsley FC – He has ‘no worries’ | OneFootball

Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane has given his thoughts on David McGoldrick’s lack of form in front of goal.

Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane has admitted he has ‘no worries’ about the dip in form of experienced frontman David McGoldrick ahead of their second-round trip to Peterborough United in the FA Cup.

The 38-year-old, who is closing in on 450 appearances across the EFL, hasn’t quite found his shooting boots so far this season with the Tykes, scoring just two goals in 14 league games and failing to hit the back of the net since the third week of August against Bolton Wanderers.

To much relief connected with the Yorkshire outfit, fellow forward Reyes Cleary has been able to both score and help create goals, settling into League One life almost instantly since joining from West Brom, but the club needs to get McGoldrick back on the goalscoring trail as quickly as possible.

It’s been a key reason as to why Barnsley haven’t quite been able to jump into the top six as we approach the festive period, although the Tykes do have two or even three games in hand over teams above them to stamp their authority on this promotion race.

It’s very rare to see someone of McGoldrick’s ilk failing to show some prowess in front of goal, and it has raised questions over whether his days in the professional game are coming to an end as he enters the latter stages of his 30’s.

And because of this, Barnsley boss Hourihane has reflected on McGoldrick’s recent numbers and whether he is concerned by it.

Conor Hourihane calm over David McGoldrick struggles at Barnsley FC

As reported by the Yorkshire Post, Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane has insisted he isn’t concerned about the recent numbers put up by David McGoldrick in front of goal, believing he will get back on the goalscoring trail sooner rather than later.

Hourihane said: “I think Didzy’s fine. I’ve got no worries.

“We know what he gives every single day and on match days. And it’s something that’s very valuable to the group.

“He always is a focal point for the team, and he gives so much to the lads on and off the pitch.

“He’ll know that he’ll want to score more goals. That’s what he’s done all his career, but there’s no problem with Didzy.”

Form is temporary, but class is permanent with Barnsley FC's David McGoldrick

While David McGoldrick has been a clinical frontman throughout his extensive playing days in the EFL, there are going to be times, particularly at this stage of his career, when he isn’t going to be firing on all cylinders.

At 38, it’s so tough to stay competitive at such a high level of football too, particularly when he’s coming up against players who have 10 to 15 years of youth on their side.

As mentioned earlier, there have been other players that have picked up the baton and continued to find the goals needed for the club to rise towards the top end of the table, and that is so valuable when others are going through sticky patches.

One thing is for sure though is that McGoldrick will find his shooting boots again, and it’s a question of whether he can just get that first goal to boost his confidence. If that can come quickly, then the goals might be able to arrive at the regular rate again by his standards and help the Tykes become more free flowing at the top end of the pitch.