Chief executive Dane Murphy says Barnsley are planning for signings in the January transfer window to bolster their chances of survival in the Championship and is convinced that the club will not sell any players mid-season.
The Reds, who are currently in the relegation zone and without a win in their last eight matches, have one of the youngest squads in the country after adhering to a policy of signing mainly under 25s.
Some fans have criticised that strategy but American Murphy, who moved to Oakwell in the summer, has suggested it will continue. The former MLS player told the Chronicle: “We are starting the process now for the January recruitment, like any good club would.
“We’re looking at all aspects of the group and how to improve it, to make sure that we’re strengthening ourselves to remain in the Championship. Whether that is getting a centre-back, a goal-scoring striker or a midfielder, we will see.
“Age and experience are not as important as making sure we are getting in the right people to get points, score goals and win games so that we can achieve the main goal of this season which is remaining in the Championship.
“The players who lack experience entering the season now – through six, seven or eight games – are finding their legs and their voice as leaders. You see it on the training field each day and you see it in games. There are guys who are taking the flag of leadership and really pushing the other guys forward.
"You can see, especially with the last two performances, that the young players who didn’t have much experience before the season, are showing that they can play at this level. I don’t have any issue at all with having a young team, because leadership experience comes from putting people in the position to gain it. Right now we are on course with exactly what we want to achieve.”
Barnsley have regularly sold key players in recent transfer windows, with last season’s promotion heroes Ethan Pinnock, Liam Lindsay and Kieffer Moore all being moved on this summer.
Murphy said: “The good thing with this squad is we have players with contracts that extend beyond this season, the next season and the season after that. The policy isn’t to sell players because his value is X. It is to offer players new contracts like we did with Ethan, Liam and Kieffer but, if they don’t want to stay and their contracts are running out, it is financially responsible to let those guys go.
“Right now, with this squad, we don’t foresee anyone going out in January, because they are secure from this point into the following seasons. That is part of the reason we have built the young squad so that, if we are good and solid this season, then we can push to the next level next season.”
Murphy added that the Reds are negotiations to extend the deals of current first teamers. He said: “I can think of two players right now that we are speaking to. I can’t say their names at this moment. They have shown they can play and excel at this level and that they are important parts of the organisation and the club and the locker room.
"If guys are performing beyond what their contract currently is, or we feel they will contribute to the future growth of the club, we would like them to remain at the club.”
The Reds are also hoping to tie head coach Daniel Stendel down to a longer-term deal. Murphy said: “We have had several discussions with Daniel and his representative about extending his deal. We haven’t come to an agreement yet. But I am very much enjoying working with him.
“Anyone who knows Daniel or watches him work knows that this club is his life and it is what he focuses all his time and energy and passion on. He cares about the club and players and has an infectious love for the game.”
