A look ahead to Barnsley's December games. The sixth-placed Reds are due to play six matches in the final month of the year.

WREXHAM, away, Tuesday

The last time Barnsley visited the Racecourse Ground, in April 2005, Wrexham were on their way to relegation – the first of two in three years which saw them drop into non-league football – having been the first EFL club to be deducted ten points for entering administration. Almost two decades on and they are one of the most globally famous EFL clubs due to the documentary about their rise under actors and club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Wrexham are looking to go from the National League to the Championship in three successive seasons, and are currently second in the table while their home record is easily the best in the EFL, with 25 points from 27 available.

There has remarkably never been an away win in 32 meetings between Barnsley and Wrexham.

If the Reds can change that, it would certainly be a statement victory and add to their already impressive record on the road.

They are likely to be less fresh, after 120 minutes in the cup on Saturday, than their hosts who did not play at the weekend.

BIRMINGHAM CITY, home, Saturday

The Blues are unlike any team in League One history.

They spent £30million in the summer transfer window, including a reported £10million for striker Jay Stansfield.

An ownership group including NFL legend Tom Brady has responded to relegation by compiling a squad littered with international footballers with experience at much higher levels.

Chris Davies’ side are currently third. After winning seven in a row, the next seven have brought three wins and two losses including at then bottom club Shrewsbury last week.

The Blues have a very good record at Oakwell over many decades, winning 15 of their last 27 visits since the 1940s and losing just five. Barnsley do not have such a good record at Oakwell and this could be a tough one to turn that around in.

There will certainly be some personal motivation within the Reds squad as Marc Roberts and Sam Cosgrove each left St Andrew’s for Oakwell while Corey O’Keeffe came through the Blues youth system.

Birmingham have had by far the most possession in the division this season – with 70 per cent while no one else has had 60 – and have the best pass completion rate, while making the fewest tackles, interceptions and clearances. If Barnsley get their pressing right, they can unsettle teams with that approach.

EXETER CITY, away, December 14

The longest journey of the season 11 days before Christmas is not ideal for Reds supporters.

But there are likely to be several hundred diehards who make the 500-mile round trip to Devon to watch their team who usually reward them with excellent away results up and down the country.

Barnsley will hope for a repeat of last year’s win at St James Park but not the following coach fire on the M5.

Last week, Exeter were just outside the top six with the best defensive record in the division. But they are currently in a brutal run of games against almost the entire top six.

After drawing with Lincoln, they lost 3-0 at Wrexham on Saturday and 2-0 at home to Birmingham City on Tuesday which left them 11th.

They now host Wycombe and visit Stockport before welcoming the Reds.

LEYTON ORIENT, home, Dec 21

Barnsley will look to sign off from Oakwell in 2024 with a win after a year of generally poor home form and a fair bit of angst on the terraces.

This is, in theory, the easiest game of the month.

After following promotion last year with 11th place and 65 points, Orient have been the surprise strugglers this season and slipped into the relegation zone last week.

But they may take a morale boost from their FA Cup win over Oldham which saw their goalkeeper score a 99th-minute leveller.

Darrell Clarke has met Orient boss Richie Wellens six times as coaches, drawing the first then losing the next five.

Barnsley are unbeaten in the last six meetings with the London club, but they have had red cards in each of the last four – for Ross Turnbull, Milan Lalkovic, Sam Cosgrove and Luca Connell.

After this, Barnsley’s scheduled home games in January see them play Wrexham – who have never won at Oakwell – on New Year’s Day then Crawley and Stevenage.

BOLTON WANDERERS, A, Dec 26

Barnsley complete the year with trips to the two other clubs who have lost in the play-offs in the last two seasons.

Bolton, after losing in May’s play-off final, collected just five points from their opening five games this season but have since recovered somewhat – although they were beaten 5-0 at Stockport in November.

They are currently eighth, behind Barnsley on goal difference.

The Reds will return to the ground where their promotion challenge finished last season, despite a comeback in the play-off semi-final second leg, and look to end a 16-game winless run against the Trotters in league games.

John McAtee, who played for Barnsley in that game, is now with Bolton who also have another ex Reds striker in Victor Adeboyejo whose goal at Oakwell in March arguably started the collapse under Neill Collins.

PETERBOROUGH, A, Dec 29

For the second successive year, Barnsley’s last game is a trip to London Road on December 29.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last four trips to the Posh.

Darren Ferguson’s side are in 13th place, six points off the play-offs, but they are regular finishers in the top six at this level and cannot be ruled out.

As usual there are plenty of goals in Peterborough’s games with only leaders Wycombe scoring more and just Blackpool conceding more. They won 4-3 over Notts County in the FA Cup this week.

They have arguably League One’s Player of the Year so far in Kwame Poku who has ten goals and five assists.

In January, Barnsley are scheduled to visit Northampton – now they are out of the FA Cup – Bristol Rovers and Wycombe.