BARNSLEY will ‘reset’ from their derby cup win over Sheffield United in midweek when they visit Crawley Town in the league from 3pm.
The Reds drew 2-2 at home to Northampton Town on Saturday, having led 2-0 on 72 minutes, in the league then won 1-0 at home to the Blades in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
Sussex club Crawley, who won the League Two play-off final in May, were one of the favourites to be relegated after losing several of their promotion stars this summer. They began with a 2-1 home win over Blackpool then won 1-0 at Cambridge and lost 1-0 at Wigan on Saturday. That left them eighth, one place and two points above Barnsley.
Crawley, managed by Scott Lindsey, lost 4-0 against near neighbours, and Premier League club, Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday in the EFL Cup.
Reds head coach Darrell Clarke said: “Scott has done a tremendous job there.
“They had something like 650 passes against Wigan. They had more possession than Brighton.
“We know their style and they have good players. They have fitted into the league comfortably.
“We will focus on how we can be at our best with and without the ball.”
He added: “You get initial momentum from promotion. My Port Vale team were ninth by January before we had to make cuts. You get a buzz then sometimes it peels away.”
Barnsley beat the Blades 1-0 on Tuesday, ending a ten-match winless run at Oakwell. Clarke said: “We can take a lot from it but I reset after every game. Winning breeds confidence but that game is gone. Crawley is a different animal. We will work consistently to try to go to Crawley and win there.”
Clarke has an excellent record as a manager against Crawley, winning eight of the 11 meetings including the last five.
Barnsley striker Max Watters is set to return to the club where he made his name by scoring 16 goals in 19 appearances in 2020 before being bought by Cardiff City.
The two clubs have only met twice before, with Crawley winning both games in the 2014/15 campaign.
They triumphed 1-0 at Oakwell on the opening day of the season, with Dale Jennings sent off.
Barnsley’s only trip to Crawley was a 5-1 loss on Valentine’s Day 2015 when Mark Burton was caretaker days after the sacking of Danny Wilson.
Sam Cosgrove and Matty Craig will be assessed before the game but Barry Cotter is fit to play after coming off in midweek, said Clarke. Fabio Jalo has returned to non-contact training as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
Clarke said new signing Kelechi Nwakali, who was on the bench in midweek, is still ‘a bit behind in terms of fitness.’
