Conor Hourihane’s late wonder-goal was enough for Barnsley to pick up a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Monday afternoon.

Barnsley started off their 2017 in the best possible way as they picked up their fifth win in their last seven matches.

Their late goal came courtesy of a long range half volley from Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane.

The defeat for Forest was their fourth consecutive loss heaping more pressure on Philippe Montanier’s side.

To make matters worse, the hosts were without their star midfielder Henri Lansbury who was ruled out through injury.

As the fixture came during the busy festive period, both sides made four changes going into the match giving fringe players a chance to impress.

Nottingham Forest struggled for large portions of the game and they failed to register a single shot on target in the whole match.

Shoot! looks at the five major talking points from Monday’s events at the City Ground…

Barnsley making a play-off push

Conor Hourihane’s incredible late strike extends the Tykes’ unbeaten run to four matches.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side got the result without starting either of their top two scorers. Sam Winnall and Marely Watkins both started on the bench for Barnsley, but both men were introduced early on in the second half.

The result also moves them up to eighth place in the Championship. The Yorkshire side are now only four points off of the play off places.

If they can win their next league fixture away at 10^th placed Fulham, they must be considered as serious play-off contenders.

Pressure on Philippe Montanier

The 1-0 defeat at the City Ground was Forest’s sixth consecutive match without a victory.

Montanier’s side are only two points clear of the relegation places and have dropped two places to 20^th in the Championship table.

Despite only arriving in the East Midlands in June, many fans are calling for Montanier’s reign to come to an end. The 52 year old has only managed to pick up seven league victories in his 24 games in charge.

The club need to either change their approach and style this season, or relieve the former Rennes and Real Sociedad manager of his duties before it is too late.

Leading by example

Barnsley skipper Hourihane’s moment of magic was just a symbol of just how influential the 25 year old has been for the Tykes this season.

The uncapped Irishman’s wonder-strike was his fifth league goal of the season. He also has 11 assists this campaign; the most of any Championship player.

Speaking about his goal, Hourihane said that he’d been working hard in training to get on the scoresheet more often.

He said: “It was nice. I’ve been practicing in training and in games to get into the box more to score tap-ins, but I don’t really score tap-ins for some reason.”

He added: “It was nice to get three points late in the game and it was a great way to start off 2017 by securing the three points. It was special.”

Hourihane’s contributions have been very consistent this term. The Irishmen has the second highest average match rating of any player in the Championship this season; only Brighton and Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk has a higher average than the Barnsley captain.

With Hourihane’s contract up at the end of the season, can Barnsley keep hold of their star midfielder?

Route One Closed

Philippe Montanier’s side spent a lot of the match trying to play long balls towards Britt Assombalonga (Pictured).

His direct style did not pay off as their number nine spent a lot of the game both isolated and tired in his first start since November.

Hilderberto Pereira seemed to be one of the only Forest players who attempted to keep the ball on the floor and do something with it. Alongisde Eric Lichaj and Ben Osborn, the trio seemed to be on a completely different wavelength to the rest of the side.

The direct approach is simply not working and if anything, their style of play is adding to their struggles this season.

Heckingbottom’s rotation

Many Barnsley fans were shocked to find that both Winnall and Watkins were named on the bench for Monday’s game at the City Ground.

Manager Heckingbottom claimed that it was part of his game plan to rest the duo who have already notched up 18 goals between them this campaign.

He said: “We changed the formation today based on the personnel of the side, knowing that we would switch to 4-4-2 at half time. Changing the shape allowed us to get more fresh legs in the side.”

The changes to the side also saw Ryan Williams make his first league start of the season. Heckingbottom praised his performance against Forest.

He said: “He did well and he has to be pleased with himself. He has worked his socks off. I think mentally he is in a different place so we have not rushed him back too quick. We’ve challenged him and made him earn his start. He’s not just been given it because we needed fresh legs, he earnt his place in the team.