A preview of Barnsley's game at Cambridge United on Saturday.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Cambridge (3-5-2): Stevens; Okedina, Morrison, Andrew; Brophy, Bennett, Smith, Cousins, Kachunga; Njoku, Nlundulu
Barnsley (3-5-2): Killip; de Gevigney; Roberts, Earl; O'Keeffe, Phillips, Craig, Russell, Gent; Keillor-Dunn, Watters.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley: Out injured: Gaga Slonina (finger). Doubts: Sam Cosgrove (back). Internationals: Vimal Yoganathan. Suspended: Luca Connell.
Cambridge: Out injured: Paul Digby, George Thomas, Mamadou Jobe, Taylor Richards, James Gibbons, Gary Gardner, Emmanuel Longelo. Doubts: Josh Stokes, Shayne Lavery. Internationals: Vicente Reyes, Sullay Kaikai.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Us 0, Reds 4 – October 3, 2023
The performance didn’t match the scoreline but this was an excellent result for Neill Collins’ Barnsley. Nicky Cadden opened the scoring early on then a defender headed against Mael de Gevigney and the ball looped in from a corner. Liam Roberts made a series of saves as the hosts created plenty of chances but home goalkeeper Will Mannion allowed a Max Watters shot to squirm under him then Jon Russell added a fine fourth from long-range.
Us 0, Reds 3 – September 17, 2022
Devante Cole put the visitors in front then they lost goalkeeper Brad Collins to a head injury and defender Liam Kitching to a red card. But the ten men scored twice through Robbie Cundy, back at his old club, and James Norwood.
Us 2, Reds 1 – October 26, 1991
Barnsley’s last defeat at Cambridge. They have won the three subsequent visits. Andy Rammell put the visitors in front of 64 minutes but late strikes by Steve Claridge and Dion Dublin secured the win for John Beck’s side who would get promoted to the top flight that season.
Us 1, Reds 1 – September 7, 1982
Cambridge, who were yet to collect a point that season, took the lead through Ray Nicholls. Ian Evans was stretchered off but Derrick Parker levelled with eight minutes to play.
Us 1, Reds 1 – December 20, 1975
Substitute Les Harris, who was only playing because Peter Price failed a late fitness test, scored his first league goal in the final minute. The visitors had played well but trailed to a goal by future West Bromwich Albion legend Brendon Batson.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Liam Apicella, Cambridge Independent
A very strange campaign.
Winless in their first 12 (18 in total from last season), the Us went on to win five on the bounce without conceding before Saturday’s harrowing derby at Peterborough where they conceded four goals in 19 first half minutes before eventually losing 6-1.
The target increasingly looks like trying to pick up more points than four sides to keep their head above the relegation zone come May.
Injuries haven’t helped at all. Getting Shayne Lavery and Josh Stokes back will be important. Both might be in contention for Saturday after being out since September.
KEY PLAYER
Korey Smith
There was a lot of excitement when the midfielder signed in the summer after a long career at Championship level before helping Derby out of League One last season.
The ex-Red has perhaps struggled to live up to that but impressed in recent wins over Wigan and Stevenage.
Smith, now 33, played 12 games on loan to Barnsley from Norwich City in the 2011/12 season.
