A look at the four league matches and one huge cup tie this month as Barnsley aim to build on a positive end to August on and off the pitch

BARNSLEY go into September with some momentum and confidence following a good last ten days or so on and off the pitch.

August was a mixed first month for the Reds, with a few disappointing results, especially at home, while the performances were up-and-down and they were very low on senior strikers.

But seven points from four games is a reasonable platform, they have made unusual progress in the EFL Cup, then brought in attackers on deadline day before a fantastic 3-0 win at Crawley.

They now have mostly free weeks for Darrell Clarke and his large coaching staff to work hard on the training ground with the squad, other than in the middle of the month when they visit Manchester United for a big cup tie which has added to the sense of excitement at the club.

They need to improve defensively from some previous performances and show they can control matches not just against perfect opponents for them like Crawley.

A points tally bigger than the August seven from the league games with Bristol Rovers, Stevenage, Burton and Stockport should be the target which would likely leave them well inside the top six going into, in theory, a more difficult-looking October.

Bristol Rovers, H, tomorrow

If Barnsley had not beaten Sheffield United in the EFL Cup in their previous home game, they would have been hoping to avoid equalling a club record 12-game winless run at Oakwell in this match.

Although they are still without a league win on their own turf for eight matches since February, they will be looking to end that sequence following that morale-boosting cup win, success at Crawley and a strong end to the transfer window.

It is vital that they build on all of that positivity and get three points at home, something that has to be the mainstay of their promotion challenge.

Darrell Clarke made his name as a coach during a five-year spell with the Gas, gaining two promotions, but has since managed against them six times so it is nothing new. Matt Taylor’s side have an identical record to Barnsley so far this season with seven points from four games but their matches have brought five goals in total compared to 13 in the Reds’ games.

This is one of just three games to be playing during the international break in League One so a chance to make up some early ground in the table.

Stevenage, A, September 14

The last time Barnsley won their first three away games of a league season was in 1996, when Danny Wilson was about to lead them to the top flight.

They could do so again this season, having scraped a fortunate victory at Lincoln City – where Clarke fumed at the performance – then destroyed Crawley on Saturday.

The Reds have travelled to the Hertfordshire club twice already in 2024, with a cancellation in January then defeat in April.

Clarke’s Cheltenham were relegated there on the final day of last season and he has not beaten them in seven meetings as a manager.

It is the next game for Stevenage – who have four points from four so far – as their match with Wigan has been called off due to international call-ups.

The Reds must stay focused on winning there despite the huge cup game a few days later.

Manchester United, A, September 17

This mouth-watering EFL Cup third round draw was a fitting reward for Barnsley’s heroic efforts in the second round win over Championship neighbours Sheffield United.

Barnsley have beaten United five times in their 38 meetings but only once in the last century – when Scott Jones famously netted twice in a 3-2 FA Cup success at Oakwell in 1998.

Their only trips to Old Trafford since World War Two were also that season as they famously lost 7-0 in the Premiership then returned for a 1-1 cup draw.

They met in 2009 at Oakwell in the League Cup, with England strikers Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen scoring before Gary Neville was sent off.

United signed off for the international break with a 3-0 home loss to Liverpool, with the Barnsley game their next home fixture in which they will be huge favourites.

They may make changes from their league team but are likely to field senior squad members rather than the under 21s who won at Oakwell in the EFL Trophy last month.

Regardless of the scoreline, it will be a memorable night for fans, players and staff including boyhood Manchester United fan Clarke.

Burton Albion, A, September 21

Either side of the trip to the biggest club ground in the country, Barnsley will visit the smallest in League One.

Other than Crawley, where the Reds have just been, Stevenage and Burton Albion have the lowest capacities in the third tier this season – all under 8,000.

Whatever happens at Old Trafford, the Reds must refocus for this arguably more important game – in terms of the ultimate goal of promotion – while rotation will surely be needed after a tiring midweek trip.

It has been five months since Barnsley set a club record for 11 league games unbeaten with a 3-1 win at Burton, on the same day that away fans called for Neill Collins to be sacked.

Burton, who have drawn three and lost one league game so far, face Rotherham then Barnsley after the international break.

They loaned out ex-Red Jasper Moon to Harrogate last week but still have Harry Isted, Jason Sraha and Tomas Kalinauskas.

In October, Barnsley visit Michael Duff’s Huddersfield twice in four days, in the league then EFL Trophy, then Blackpool and Shrewsbury.

Stockport County, H, September 28

The newly-promoted Cheshire club are currently top of the early League One table.

They won their first three games without conceding before drawing 1-1 at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

They visit Crawley then host current bottom club Leyton Orient before making their first trip to Oakwell since coming from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in December 2004.

Just a fortnight after that game two decades ago, Clarke made his debut for County on loan from Hartlepool but lasted just 32 minutes due to the injury issues which dogged his later career.

This match is a 7.45pm kick-off.

It is the type of strange timing we should get used to with the new Sky Plus coverage meaning many more games are broadcast live.

Three days later, Wycombe Wanderers visit in a midweek game then, also in October, Barnsley host Reading and Charlton.