Why I believe Benson is a significant step forward.
We have signed young players in the last couple of years that were quite expensive - but they come with the tag of ‘one for the future’.
Young midfielders that need coaching and developing to bring them up to speed.
Barnsley supporters in recent history have been put through the mill of watching loan players come and go.
Unfortunately the club at that time couldn’t afford them - even though the asking price was usually around the £1 million mark.
Players like Drinkwater and Pearson - who the supporters knew were already good enough to fit straight into the 1st team.
It was heartbreaking to see these loan players leave knowing it wouldn’t have taken much to secure their signing.
Benson is in that category - a quality young midfielder that can hit the ground running - but this time it’s not a loan signing - this time he’s ours.
And there lies the change.