A preview of Barnsley's FA Cup second round game at home to Bristol Rovers, who are 14th in League One. The match is a 3pm kick-off on Saturday.
LIKELY LINE-UPS: Barnsley: Killip; de Gevigney, Roberts, Earl; O'Keeffe, Nwakali, Craig, Russell, Gent; Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys. Bristol Rovers: Griffiths; Moore, Taylor, Wilson, Mola; Lindsay, Conteh; Hutchinson, McCormick, Forde; Martin.
TEAM NEWS: Barnsley: Out: Gaga Slonina (finger), Max Watters. Doubts: Josh Benson. Bristol Rovers: Out: -Promise Omochere (hand), Lino Sousa (hamstring), Jack Hunt (knee).
OPPOSITION VIEW
Dan Hargraves, Bristol Post
Although a new-look Bristol Rovers team have been engulfed by inconsistencies, they are probably where most expected them to be. The mid-to-long-term plan for the Gas is to become a club pushing to get into the Championship but right now they’re very much at the start of that process.
There have been some good results so far this term as well as some shockers while the same can be said for performances.
The thought was that Rovers had really started to turn a corner with some good performances followed up with an excellent display in a 1-0 win at Mansfield Town but Tuesday night’s 2-0 home defeat to Blackpool was the first time this season when they’ve failed to record a shot on target.
Since the 2-1 defeat for Bristol Rovers at Oakwell in September, the Gas have changed from a back three to a back four which seems to have provided them with more stability.
Three goals conceded in their last four league games with two clean sheets in the process seems to have proven that.
KEY PLAYER
Connor Taylor
The towering centre-back is finding his best form for the Gas and has been a colossus in recent weeks.
A couple of goals in cup competitions against Exeter City and Weston-super-Mare have coincided with some man mountain defensive displays.
In attack, they have veteran striker Chris Martin who has more than 100 Championship goals as well as eight against Barnsley at various levels.
Goalkeeper Josh Griffiths, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, has made the most saves in League One this season.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Reds 0, Gas 2 – October 13, 1956
Rovers got their first ever win at Oakwell with goals either side of the half-time break.
Reds 1, Gas 2 – October 29, 1963
Tony Leighton opened the scoring from a free-kick by Jimmy Sheavills who then gifted the visitors the ball for a leveller before half-time. Rovers won it midway through the second half.
Reds 0, Gas 0 – January 1, 1972
Barnsley failed to score for a seventh successive match as they headed towards relegation from the third tier under John McSeveney. Visiting goalkeeper Dick Sheppard made a series of impressive saves and got away with what the hosts felt was a clear penalty.
Reds 2, Gas 1 – September 7, 2024
The league meeting less than three months ago. Davis Keillor-Dunn opened the scoring 11 minutes into his Barnsley debut but the visitors levelled due to a Gaga Slonina error. Adam Phillips headed in Barry Cotter’s cross midway through the second half to secure Barnsley’s first home league win in more than six months.
