A more detailed looked at today's lunchtime game. Stockport, who are fourth having won four in a row, host tenth-placed Barnsley who are winless in four.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Barnsley (3-5-2): Gauci; de Gevigney, Pines, Earl; O’Keeffe, Phillips, Nwakali, Russell, Gent; Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys.
Stockport: (3-5-2): Hinchliffe; Knoyle, Connolly, Pye; Southam-Hales, Moxon, Bate, Collar, Touray; Wootton, Olaofe.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley: Out: Fabio Jalo (shoulder), Barry Cotter (ankle), Max Watters (ankle). Doubts: Neil Farrugia (thigh). Suspended: Marc Roberts.
Stockport: Doubts: Callum Camps. Out: Fraser Horsfall (knee).
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Hatters 2, Reds 2 – January 22, 2005
The most recent meeting of the two clubs at Edgeley Park had a very dramatic finale. Nick Colgan conceded a penalty for a foul on Warren Feeney who scored from the spot but was made to take it again due to encroachment by his team-mates. Colgan then saved the second penalty but was judged to have been off his line, and the third penalty was scored. Remarkably, Colgan’s previous two starts had seen him save penalties only for them to be retaken and scored. Keith Briggs had put the hosts in front early on then Michael Boulding and Tony Vaughan gave Barnsley the lead.
Hatters 3, Reds 3 – September 21, 1999
The clubs met three times in 11 days as, after Barnsley won 2-1 at home in the league, they drew 1-1 at Oakwell in the first leg of the League Cup tie before this second leg thriller. The hosts were 2-0 up at half-time but Georgi Hristov and Scott Jones forced extra-time then Hristov put the visitors in front. Stockport levelled through a penalty, conceded by Matty Appleby, then hit the bar but went out on away goals.
Hatters 0, Reds 3 – December 26, 1974
David Yates opened the scoring on Boxing Day then new signing Peter Price netted twice. Stockport blazed a penalty over the bar.
Hatters 5, Reds 4 – January 28, 1933
Barnsley lost out in a nine-goal thriller, as they were always behind after the opening goal. The away scorers were Cunningham, twice, Ashton with a penalty and Smith.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Sam Byrne, Stockport Express
Stockport are flying at the minute. They had a rough patch of results over Christmas with one win in six, but the performances were still generally good and it was a lack of a cutting edge more than anything which was the main issue.
Louie Barry has departed, but the goals have started to be spread around the side with seven goals from seven different players in County’s last four games (all wins). They’re looking good for a push at those play-off places.
They needed another option to lighten the load on target man Kyle Wootton, and Sam Cosgrove fits that bill. There’s no getting away from the reputation he comes with from his struggles at Barnsley, but Dave Challinor is a manager who can get a tune out of a striker in need of confidence and minutes.
KEY PLAYER
Kyle Wootton
The targetman striker has seven goals and six assists this season. He is the focal point of Stockport’s attack and, after taking some criticism for a lack of goals, netted a scruffy finish for the winner at Leyton Orient on Saturday to end a 12-game goalless run. He is likely to be partnered up front with Isaac Olaofe who thought he had signed for Barnsley from Millwall in the summer of 2022 only for the deal to have not gone through properly on deadline day.
Midfielder Lewis Bate, who has just returned from injury, and defender Ethan Pye are expected to play at much higher levels later in their careers.
