A preview of today’s game at Oakwell as fourth-bottom Crawley Town visit.
LINE-UPS
Barnsley (3-5-2): Killip; de Gevigney, McCarthy, Earl; O’Keeffe, Phillips, Connell, Russell, Cotter; Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys.
Crawley (3-5-2): Wollacott; Mullarkey, Conroy, Barker; Ibrahim, Quitirna, Kelly, Forster, Camara; Swan, Showunmi.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley: Out: Marc Roberts (calf), Fabio Jalo (shoulder). Crawley: Out: Josh Flint.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Reds 0, Red Devils 1 – August 9, 2014
This was Barnsley’s first game back in League One after relegation and a debut for the likes of Conor Hourihane, Sam Winnall and Adam Davies. Dale Jennings was sent off on the opening day for the second successive year, this time for striking Gwion Edwards who had tackled him. Down to ten men on 62 minutes, Danny Wilson’s Barnsley conceded on 82 through an Izale McLeod header for John Gregory’s visitors.
Red Devils 0, Reds 3 – August 31, 2024
Barnsley’s easiest win of this season as they avenged a 5-1 beating in their only previous trip to the Sussex club in 2015. Crawley naively tried to pass out from the back against the high-pressing Reds but lost the ball countless times in the first half. They were also weak from set pieces, with Donovan Pines heading in Corey O’Keeffe’s corner to open the scoring on 12 minutes. Adam Phillips netted after being put through by Luca Connell then won and scored a penalty just before half-time for a foul by Joy Mukena.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Mark Dunford, Sussex World
It’s been a tough season for Crawley following their historic promotion last season. They changed pretty much their whole squad in the summer and, despite winning their first two games of the season, they have found life tough.
There have been some good performances but they are struggling to pick up wins. A prime example was leading 4-1 at Exeter and only drawing the game.
Rob Elliot has them playing exciting football but they need a good transfer window to add strength in depth.
KEY PLAYER
Will Swan
The forward is Crawley’s joint top-scorer with five goals while he also has three assists.
The 24-year-old began the season at Mansfield Town and was an unused substitute for their opening day win at Oakwell before moving to Sussex later in August.
The former Nottingham Forest youngster has recently been playing as a second striker off Tola Showunmi who returned to England in August after a spell in the American second tier.
Midfielder Junior Quitirna also has five goals and will be looking for more success at Oakwell after scoring there twice last season for Fleetwood Town including a stunning long-range strike.
