A look ahead to Saturday's game at Oakwell against Wigan Athletic, who are 19th in League One and a point above the relegation zone.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley: Out: Gaga Slonina (finger). Doubts: Sam Cosgrove (back), Max Watters. Wigan: Doubt: Callum McManaman
LIKELY LINE-UPS:
Barnsley (3-5-2): Killip; de Gevigney, Roberts, Earl; O'Keeffe, Phillips, Connell, Russell, Gent; Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys.
Wigan (4-2-3-1): Tickle; Sessegnon, Kerr, Aimson, Dummett; M Smith, Francois; J Smith, Aasgaard, Olakigbe; Taylor
OPPOSITION VIEW
Paul Kendrick, Wigan Today
It’s been literally an up and down season so far.
They started off badly until the first transfer window, then the side went unbeaten (without conceding a goal) between international breaks one and two. And then the last block of games was back to being very disappointing. To coin a phrase, the only consistent thing has been the inconsistency.
On their day, Wigan can (and will) beat anyone in the division. At the same time, the opposite is also true. Hopefully this next block of games following the latest international break will mean a return to positive fortunes. But who knows?
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Reds 0, Latics 0 – November 19, 2016
Paul Heckingbottom’s Barnsley were enjoying a good start after promotion to the Championship but were held by a Wigan side who would eventually finish second-bottom in the table.
Reds 0, Latics 0 – July 11, 2020
A behind-closed-doors stalemate between two sides desperately trying to stay in the Championship during the Covid-19 lockdown. Danny Fox was sent off for a late challenge on Elliot Simoes with 20 minutes left but Gerhard Struber felt the visitors should have had two other red cards. Antonee Robinson’s remarkable tackle on Killian Ludewig went viral after the German span in the air and landed on his neck, while Joe Gelhardt lunged in on Callum Styles. The draw left Barnsley bottom but they stayed up 11 days later with a win at Brentford, at Wigan’s expense.
Reds 1, Latics 1 – January 1, 2024
The first game in what has generally been a frustrating year at Oakwell. Devante Cole put the hosts in front in first half injury-time but Jonny Smith levelled on 87 minutes with a stunning long-range strike into the top corner.
KEY PLAYER
Sam Tickle
The England under 21 international has been described as the best goalkeeper in League One.
He has been Wigan’s key man last season and this campaign, keeping seven clean sheets in a row at one point.
He is tipped to reach the Premier League eventually.
Wigan’s top-scorer is Thelo Aasgaard who has four goals including a penalty against Barnsley in the EFL Cup in August, although he did miss one in the shoot-out loss.
