Eight changes, the return of Jamie Reid, a debut for Jake Young and a first start for Eli King. That was the talk prior to kick-off.

After the 3-0 success for Stevenage over Barnsley, you couldn't get moved for smiling faces.

A day when it all clicked for Boro, certainly in the second half, and it showed the strength of the squad and what they can be capable of.

This is how I rated the performance as a team and individuals.

Player ratings

Stevenage (0) 3 Barnsley (0) 0

Murphy Cooper - 8

Hard to under value just what a big save that was on four minutes. Came out quick and stayed big and strong. Made another good stop in the second half at his near post, again getting the angles spot on and staying big. Said this before and worth saying again, not sure he gets replaced when Taye Ashby-Hammond is fit to go.

Luther Wildin - 7

Much, much better. The break has done him the world of good and he was close to an 8. Good going forward, which he did a lot more than usual, but was part of a really solid defensive performance.

Carl Piergianni - 9

I hate giving the man of the match to a scorer, but the skipper was immense. The goal was superb, a typical header, but it was the rest of his game that caught the eye. One moment in particular in the second half summed it all up as he made three defensive headers in the space of 30 seconds, the last of which took the ball away from what would have been a simple Barnsley goal. Comet Sport man of the match.

Nick Freeman - 6

I didn't see him much in the game. That's why I'm giving him the lowish mark but that could be just because he was doing a lot of the grunt work, the foot in, the tracking of the runners. He still contributed to the whole overall performance though.

Jordan Roberts - 6

Felt more at home with him just in behind the front two but still yet to hit the heights I know he is capable of. Still decent though.

Charlie Goode - 8

If you wanted a solid replacement for Dan Sweeney, one who could hit the ground running, Charlie Goode would be one of your go-to guys. This proved why. Don't think he put a foot wrong in defence and made one crucial header from under his own bar in the first half.  

Lewis Freestone - 7

Had some iffy moments when players were running at him but, again, he isn't a left back. When he had to do work more closely associated with a centre-half, he looked very comfortable and very dependable. Only really gave the ball away once in a dangerous position but recovered quickly.

Harvey White - 7

His deliveries from set-pieces, and corners especially, remain absolutely spellbinding but his work off the ball is getting better. Really focused in his defensive work here and it showed.

Jamie Reid - 7

The name everyone wanted to see back on the team-sheet and had two chances to make it a dream return. The first, at the end of the first half, showed perhaps his match rustiness. I never felt he was in control of the situation and snatched at it. Positive though, a very positive return.

Eli King - 8

Got better and better as the game went on and ended up truly bossing proceedings. Simple things like moving the ball, nearly always forward, to getting tackles in and breaking up play. Hugely impressive first start for the Cardiff City man.

Jake Young - 6

Much is expected of the deadline day signing and he got a little more than 50 minutes here. Did look off the pace and may see more of him off the bench for the next couple of games.

Subs - Elliott List (8), Dan Kemp, Dan Phillips, Tyreece Simpson, Louis Thompson 

All made an impact, not lease List with his two goals, both taken with the air of a confident striker. Louis Thompson deserves a special mention. His assist for the third was superb and comes on the back a very hard and emotional two weeks with the death of his father.  

Barnsley stand-out

Until he was the victim of  stray arm from Lewis Freestone and headed off at half-time, Donovan Pines was aptly named. Tall, imposing an won most things in the air. His departure and Boro's change of tack was crucial in deciding the outcome.

Overall

First half was a bit more difficult. Some good spells but lacking a way to break down the Barnsley defence.

Second half though they were superb though and got better and better as the half went on.

Getting the goals when they did was important and although it wasn't the only reason, there was a distinct lifting of the gloom after the first went in, a release of the pressure, a removal of the handbrake or the raising of a mental anchor.

Call it what you will, there was definitely a feelgood factor round the place at the final whistle. Making it a consistent thing is now the next step and arguably the harder one.