HUDDERSFIELD TOWN make the short trip to Barnsley buoyed by the signing of Simon Church and the dramatic equaliser against Blackburn on Tuesday night.
Church is expected to be in today’s squad but it remains to be seen if the on-loan Reading man will start.
Barnsley, who have lost their last three matches, are desperate for a result to move them away from the wrong end of the table.
This clash of course is usually sprinkled with goals with Town usually coming out on the wrong side of that stat, the last time Huddersfield won in the league at Oakwell was 2003 with a 1-0 victory, a season in which we ended up relegated!
Barnsley have conceded 8 goals in their last 5 games, scoring just three times.
Vital Quotes: Simon Grayson
“I think Oakwell certainly creates a good atmosphere and there will be good numbers behind the goal at the weekend. Barnsley fans come out in force and are very passionate and vocal about their team too and it has all the ingredients of being a fantastic game,”
“I have good and bad memories of being at Oakwell, but they are in the past and I`m looking at what we`re trying to do in the future now. I`m looking forward to the weekend.”
“The Yorkshire derbies are coming thick and fast over the next few weeks as we face Leeds and Hull too. We want the bragging rights and to be putting a smile on our supporters` faces when they go to work on a Monday morning, but the most important thing is to get the three points so we can try and improve our position.”
“I certainly don`t look at us as the favourites – I think we are the underdogs in almost every game that we`ll go into this season. Barnsley have been in the Championship for many years now and have done well; Keith has done well on limited resources too. Just because we are above them in the table right now doesn`t make the game any easier; I`m sure they`ll want to get one over us in a local derby match.
“I`ve found out in the past that Oakwell is a very tough place to go when you are involved in a Yorkshire derby, but it`s a game that we are looking forward to and one that we know we can go and win. We`re looking to put on a performance that will help us achieve that, but if we have to try and grind a result out we will try to do that too. It should be a cracking game.
“I watched Barnsley against Birmingham and they absolutely destroyed them that night – to win 5-0 away from home in the Championship is fantastic. I was talking to the Blackburn staff after our game on Tuesday night and they also said that Barnsley were one of the best teams they had played this season too in the way they pass the ball around and create opportunities, so we`re under no illusions – this is a really tough game.”
Barnsley Team News:
Marlon Harewood could be set for a recall.
Toni Silva hoping for his home debut
Jim O’Brien & John Stones hoping to be included from the start.
David Perkins sidelined for up to 6 weeks whilst Craig Davies is close to a return, with today expected to be too soon for the striker.
Player to watch: Chris Dagnall
The former Scunthorpe striker has the ability to find the net and a potential partnership with Marlon Harewood this afternoon could be fruitful
Huddersfield Town Team News:
Simon Church set for his debut.
Jermaine Beckford & James Vaughan remain a doubt.
Jack Hunt available after suspension.
Oscar Gobern still sidelined through injury.
Player to watch: Adam Hammill
A return to his former club will surely produce an inspired performance & a goal
Match Facts & Stats
This is the first meeting of the sides since Barnsley triumphed 3-2 on aggregate in the League One play-off semi finals in 2006.
Huddersfield’s last league victory at Oakwell was in Feb 2003 with a 1-0 victory.
Ref Watch:
REF: Mark Haywood
LINESMEN: Christopher Kavanagh and Alf Greenwood
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Jason Tyas
Match Prediction:
Barnsley 2-3 Huddersfield Town
Next Fixtures:
SAT 17 NOV – BRIGHTON (H) 15:00
SAT 24 NOV – CHARLTON (A) 15:00
