Black and White invasion at Oakwell!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 | 70 Comments |
5pm tomorrow could see Newcastle United 10 points clear at the top of the championship if they manage a win against an in form Barnsley at Oakwell.
The Newcastle players will be looking to give boss Chris Hughton an extra special birthday present if they can notch up an eighth straight win to boot. However nothing can be taken for granted, and this match will certainly not be easy as Barnsley have managed 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 games. In fact, since joining the club from Rotherham, manager Mark Robins has seen his side lose only five of his 17 games in charge. However, Robins didn’t seem to be too happy with the Tykes’ last performance, a 1-1 draw with tricky customers, Scunthorpe. Speaking to the Sheffield Star, he said:
“We’ve got a big game on Saturday against Newcastle and there will be 7,500 Geordies coming here so it might be like an away game for us,”
“It’s a game to look forward to but we certainly need to put in a better performance than against Scunthorpe because Newcastle are flying.
“You can’t perform at the level we have been doing for every single game. [Our form] has been a long time coming, but you move on and Saturday is a big, big game for us.”
Indeed, wor lads could be excused for thinking they’re playing at home, as they will have the backing of an incredible 7,000 travelling supporters who will make their way to South Yorkshire tomorrow afternoon!
The Barnsley manager, looking forward once again to the match, said today:
“This is one of the biggest games we have down here this season and we have to make sure we have enough Barnsley voices out there to out sing all those Geordies who are coming down.
“That is a challenge to our supporters and if they can do that then I am sure it will be an unbelievable atmosphere”.
Meanwhile, Chris Hughton will have virtually a full squad available for selection, making sure there will be significant competition for places as the players compete to be part of a winning line up. It remains to be seen if Hughton will select Striker, Andy Carroll, who was left out of the team against Coventry following his arrest last weekend. However it has been confirmed Carroll will be included in the travelling party as he competes for a place with Shola Ameobi and Nile Ranger, who both scored midweek at the Ricoh Arena, and Marlon Harewood and Peter Lovenkrands, who both played against Watford last Saturday. Kevin Nolan is also likely to return after missing the Coventry game midweek due to suspension.
Hughton said of the upcoming game:
“Three points would be the ideal present, of course. The way we are going at the moment it is about keeping the run going.
“It will be a tough one at Barnsley because they are a team in good form. The manager Mark Robins has gone in there and done well.
“It’s an opportunity to keep things going.”
Continuing on the qualities of his opposite number, he then added:
“I know Mark well, I have known him for a while.
“He is a good football person and I am not surprised by the job he has done.
“He done a wonderful job at Rotherham, so there is no surprise he is doing a great job at Barnsley too.”
Getting back to Newcastle United, he concluded:
“What we know now is, the most important thing is the results.
“We have been able to claim results away from home at tough places.
“Every game is a tough game, and this one will be no different.
“If anything, Barnsley are a side in better form than Coventry. We have to expect something similar at least.”
Hopefully the defence will continue with another magnificent performance tomorrow. With only 10 goals conceeded all season, the best I believe out of all the leagues, it’s certainly a hats off to the lads who are doing a great job.
Barnsley team news is that skipper, Stephen Foster, is expected to be passed fit for the match despite sustaining an eye injury in a collision midweek, and he should take up his place at the heart of the defence alongside on loan Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton. So Burnley should also have a full strength squad available for selection, and their line up could be:
Barnsley: Butler, Robinson, Taggart, Bishop, Fleming, O’Connell, Biggins, Rammell, Pearson, Redfearn, Archdeacon.
Iceman, Emil Hallfreðsson, may also be in with a shot at a recall on Barnsley’s left wing
Howay the Lads.
NUFC Blog’s Away fan’s guide to Barnsley (written by Toonsy).
dont knwo what burnleys got to do with it like!