That was Hignetts talent. Never looked interested, if the ball was in the air he never used to even try heading it, but give him the ball in or around the area and he would either create a chance or more often than not would score. Awesome player.
Ronnie was the king, any four from a decent list of candidates to follow , which would include Redders , McHale , Howard & Banks but there are others who could be included .
No one has mentioned Drinkwater, a very good player who you could see was going to be top class! Mentioning a few off the cuff one's - Lumsden was outstanding for the season on loan, then just pi**ed it all away....literally. Tinkler was a good player for me in the top 2 leagues.At league one level I liked Jacob Burns, and Mowatt could, just could become a really top player...still a bit to go yet though for me!!
This is difficult because the players mentioned had different strengths and weaknesses. But for me it's: 1. Glavin - tactically brilliant, quick, a fantastic dribbler, could pass and was a natural goalscorer. He wasn't the best tackler we've ever had but those around him (McHale, Banks etc) made up for that. 2. Redfearn - a leader, natural goalscorer, could tackle and was a great passer of the ball. Our team revolved around him for several years. 3. Hourihane - the amazing thing about him was that he became a different player whilst with us. He came as an attacking midfield player with a great shot and could also pass. But he couldn't/wouldn't tackle. By the time he left he was our leader and midfield enforcer too. Had he stayed longer he could have become one of the greats. Sad that he hasn't hit the same heights with Villa yet. 4. Banks - strong and physical, added steel and presence to our midfield. The hardest shot I've seen from any of our players and a great long range passer. The cross for Aylott's goal v Man City summed up his passing. And his shot v Wednesday his shooting. 5. Brain Howard - great on the ball, with a real eye for goal. We relied heavily on him for a while - which is why it hurt so much when he left I think. I've excluded Higgy on the basis that for me he was more of a forward than central midfielder. Honourable mentions to Steve Agnew, Shez, Brendan O'Connell, Mike Lester, McPhail, Butterfield and even Colace (for one season).
Most people will go, understandably, for the players who made the hairs on the back of the neck stand up with their brilliance but they couldn't have done it without the grafters alongside them. Some used to say that Ray McHale could only pass sideways but when it was Ronnie he was passing to then he was taking the onus of developing a defensive side to his game from Ronnie. Let's not forget that when Ronnie first came to Oakwell he was chastised by Clarke when he disobeyed team orders by not staying back and having the temerity to score his first goal for Barnsley.
5. Stuart Gray ( did he play sweeper) 4. Steve Agnew 3. Ian Banks 2. Neil Redfearn 1. Ronnie Glavin I can’t remeber Higgy playing centre mid
Totally agree with the shout out for John Bettany - when he was on song the team were as well. It's hard to make a case for players like that because he never played outside the bottom two divisions with us whereas Redfearn had the chance to shine in the Premier Division.
1 Glavin 2 Hignett 3 Redfearn 4 Howard 5 Hourihane The OP put the title ",Best ever Barnsley midfielders" so not sure why it's developed into only central midfielders.
Agnew, Redfearn, Hourihane, Sheridan in no paticular order and Hignett if allowed if not O’Connell, just too young to remember Glavin etc