The trip to Lincoln City will remain a difficult one despite their change in manager, according to Reds’ boss Neill Collins.
Barnsley have not played in the league since their defeat to Derby County on November 11 – their only League One outing so far this month following the cancellation of their scheduled match against Carlisle United due to international call-ups.
Collins wants to get the strong away form back on track following the dismal display against Paul Warne’s side.
But he warns Lincoln, under new boss Michael Skubala, will pose a new challenge.
Lincoln were notoriously tough to beat last season under Mark Kennedy and it was a surprise when he left the job with the club mid-table.
His public criticism of Imps forward Danny Mandroiu was given as the reason behind his dismissal. The club currently sit ninth in the table and are just a point behind the Reds after winning 1-0 at Leyton Orient on Tuesday.
Collins said: “Based on what I have seen from his first few games in charge, he has had an impact already.
“He has got good pedigree and it was a great result for them the other night.
“We want to go there and win and put in a performance.”
The Imps do have some key players missing through injury including Ben House, Tyler Walker and Lewis Montsma.
Collins added: “It’s always good when you know a team have a couple of key players out. But also they are playing hard for their places under a new manager.
“They will be trying to impress early on in his tenure and going away from home is always difficult.
“The big focus for us is to just go there and perform.”
Skubala has long since been considered a leading coach and had worked at the Coventry City and Nottingham Forest academies as well as at Loughborough University, with the English futsal team and with Leeds United last season.
His first game in charge saw them lose 1-0 to Stevenage.
Their squad contains two former Reds in Adam Jackson and Ethan Erhahon who spent time on loan at Oakwell in 2020 from St Mirren without making an appearance.
Jackson, a one-time England youth international, enjoyed three years at Barnsley before moving to Hibernian with former boss Paul Heckingbottom.
The Imps have won 25 meetings against Barnsley with the Reds coming out on top in 33 and there have been 15 draws.
Barnsley’s last win at Sincil Bank was in 2009 when Daniel Bogdanovic netted the winner in a League Cup tie.
The last victory there in the league was way back in 1972.
