There is something about Barnsley and the art of defending. In the Yorkshire town where John Stones and Alfie Mawson honed their craft, a new era of centre-backs is quietly going about its business. At the heart of a near-watertight defence that boasts the best record in the Football League, Ethan Pinnock and Liam Lindsay are providing a steely platform for Daniel Stendel’s side to shine. With six games to play, the team are second in League One and well placed to return to the Championship at the first attempt.
Portsmouth and Sunderland may yet have something to say about that but Barnsley had kept seven clean sheets on the spin before their backline was breached on Saturday for the first time in more than 11 hours, when Jordy Hiwula struck for Coventry in a 2-2 draw.
Related: Daniel Stendel: the German England fan bringing success to Barnsley
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