BARNSLEY are set to play their first Yorkshire derby in a league match for more than a year and, although Huddersfield Town might not be their traditionally bitterest neighbourly rivals, this certainly feels like an important clash for various reasons.
After League One last season did not contain any clubs within 50 miles of Oakwell, the last time the Reds played a local derby, other than cup games with weakened teams, was that heart-breaking Wembley loss to Sheffield Wednesday 494 days ago.
Michael Duff was the Reds head coach that day and said in the press conference after the play-off final that he was committed to the club but left for Swansea later in the summer, was sacked that year then returned to Yorkshire with tomorrow’s hosts Huddersfield for this season despite more interest from Barnsley.
Both clubs involved in this 12.30pm kick-off are expected to compete for promotion to the Championship this season, while this the first of two clashes in four days as they also meet in the same stadium in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening.
Both teams are struggling at the moment but Huddersfield’s plight is probably more eye-catching.
Town, having been relegated from the Championship last season, were made one of the favourites for promotion this campaign.
They won their first three league games of the season but, since then, they have lost seven out of eight in all competitions including their last four league fixtures.
This week they lost 2-1 at Reading on Saturday then 1-0 at high-flying Birmingham City on Tuesday.
They lost their previous two home games 3-1 to Northampton Town – with ex-Red Michal Helik scoring a spectacular own goal as the visitors raced 3-0 up – and 2-0 to Blackpool.
The 15th-placed Terriers are eight positions below the Reds in the early table but a win in this game would see them overtake their near neighbours.
Barnsley would move up to second, at least temporarily, with a win in this lunchtime game which would completely change the frustrated mood around the fanbase currently.
The Reds are not playing particularly well, struggling to keep the ball in many games and to put consistently good performances together throughout 90 minutes.
Darrell Clarke has been open in his criticism of his players’ output.
Being away from home may suit them, like it often has in recent seasons, as they look to apply more pressure on their former head coach.
Duff made a massive impact during his year at Barnsley, coming in following a soul-destroying relegation and recreating a winning culture while setting a club record for 32 victories in a season.
Many fans felt frustrated that he left, especially following claims of loyalty and seeing a long-term project at Oakwell, so there may be some colourful chants aimed in his direction.
He has been joined at Huddersfield by Martin Paterson, his assistant coach at Barnsley who was briefly Burton Albion boss earlier this year.
The two of them worked alongside Martin Devaney – Duff’s close friend and former Cheltenham team-mate – who is now assistant to Clarke at Oakwell.
Their colleague Jon Stead is from Huddersfield, came through the Terriers academy and played for them in two spells.
Although he only left the club last year, there are not that many current Barnsley players who featured regularly under Duff. He certainly played a huge part in the development of midfielders Luca Connell and Adam Phillips while Barry Cotter, ex-Terrier Jon Russell and Max Watters all signed for him in the January transfer window but barely started. Josh Benson – who he previously signed for Burnley – and Conor McCarthy had injury-plagued seasons while he gave Fabio Jalo his professional debut.
Duff is now working with several former Barnsley players. Herbie Kane, a regular under Duff and last season, left the Reds this year at the end of a four-year contract and made the short move across Yorkshire.
Helik, an excellent centre-back in the Championship for the Reds, made the same move two years earlier having briefly trained under the newly-appointed Duff. Helik is now injured with Matty Pearson, who spent the 2017/18 season at Oakwell, starting in his place.
Barnsley have had some real highs and lows on their trips to Huddersfield’s ground under its many names over the years.
They famously won the League One play-off semi-final there in 2006 and avoided relegation from the Championship seven years later, after both teams stopped playing late on as a draw was enough to keep them safe.
But they were also relegated there on their last visit in April 2022, with a miserable performance which capped off arguably the worst season in living memory.
This game will be the 80th meeting of the two clubs, with Barnsley winning 29 and losing 34, including the last two. They have lost five of their last six visits to Huddersfield.
