BARNSLEY will be looking to avoid their winless home run stretching into double figures when they host Northampton Town from 3pm.
The Reds have not won in nine games at Oakwell since beating Derby County on February 24, exactly six months before this weekend’s match.
Barnsley lost 2-1 to newly-promoted Mansfield Town in their opening league game of this season then were beaten 3-2 at home to Manchester United under 21s on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy. The club record is 12 games without a home win, set in the 2017/18 relegation season.
Clarke said the Reds needed to ‘put to bed’ the poor home form. He told the Chronicle: “You can’t replay previous games. I can’t turn the clock back and change those results.
“I can only change what’s in front of us which starts at 3pm on Saturday.
“We will try to get the win then we have to win a lot more home games this season to be successful.
“Home form is vital.
“Players have to handle the pressures of playing in front of a large fanbase with high expectations.
“If you are a player who doesn’t thrive on that, you shouldn’t be here.
“We have to meet those challenges head on.”
The Reds followed their opening day home loss with a 2-1 win at Lincoln City on Saturday, leaving them with three points from two games.
That is the same tally as Northampton who followed a 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers with a 2-1 success at home to Exeter City on Saturday.
Jon Brady’s Cobblers finished in mid-table last season following promotion but, having lost several key loan players, had been among the bookmakers’ favourites to go down.
Clarke said: “Jon is a good guy.
“He was probably one of managers of the season in League One last season.
“They got their first win last week and it will be a difficult game.
“But we’re focusing on us.
“We have to get on the front foot and get fans off their seats.”
The Reds have a poor record against Northampton, winning seven of the 26 meetings and losing 14.
They won 2-1 at Sixfields last September – with goals by Devante Cole and Callum Styles – then drew 1-1 at home to Northampton in their final league fixture of last season.
The Reds, under caretaker Martin Devaney, conceded a last-gasp leveller in a 1-1 draw but still finished in the play-off places because Blackpool and Lincoln both lost.
Northampton are unbeaten in five visits to Oakwell since 1975, winning three and drawing two.
The Cobblers have former Barnsley midfielders Cameron McGeehan and Will Hondermarck.
If he plays, Barry Cotter will make his 50th appearance for Barnsley.
