Early Barnsley team news ahead of Exeter trip

High flying Barnsley return to action on Tuesday evening away at Exeter City in the Sky Bet League One fixture kick off at 7.45pm.

This game has been rearranged after the original fixture on 24th January was postponed in controversial circumstances only 3 hours before kick off due to a frozen pitch. The late postponement caused huge issues for Tykes fans who had already travelled to Devon including the Barnsley squad who had travelled down the day before. This prompted a stern response from Barnsley Football Club who found the late cancellation unacceptable.

The Tykes have had a week to rest and prepare for the Exeter game due to the postponement of their home game with Ipswich last Saturday due to international call ups within the Suffolk club squad.

Last time out, Barnsley beat local rivals Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 in a thrilling encounter in front of the Sky TV cameras. That victory increased the Tykes unbeaten run to 12 games with 10 of those being victories.

Exeter emphatically beat Accrington Stanley 5-0 at home at the weekend which left the Grecians sitting 11th in League One. They are currently unbeaten in their last 4 home games, winning 3 and drawing 1. Barnsley are currently 4th in the table.

At his pre match press conference today, manager Michael Duff stated there were no new injury concerns ahead of the trip to Devon.

The main issue for Duff and his assistants was whether to start James Norwood against his former side given the striker is one booking away from a two match ban. Any player that accumulates ten bookings up to and including the 37th game of the season which is the Exeter game will automatically receive a two game ban.

Duff said “He plays with an edge, and if he gets booked, we just have to deal with the consequences. I am sure it will be mentioned but I dont think he will think too much about it when the game starts. We will have to decide whether to take the risk. We will have a conversation about whether he starts or not. But if he doesn’t start, there’s a good chance he will get on.”

The match officials on Tuesday are:

Referee: Darren Handley

Assistant Referees: Kevin Morris and Alex James

Fourth Official: Justin Amey

You have to go back to October 2015 for the last time Handley officiated a Barnsley game. On that occasion the Tykes lost 2-1 at Doncaster Rovers.

Author's views….

Last time out, Exeter caused an upset by winning at Oakwell 0-2 in October. Whilst Barnsley were inconsistent in those early months of the season, the Tykes are now motoring along at pace with an opportunity to win automatic promotion.

The side picks itself with a strong defence, dynamic midfield and strikers scoring with regularity. There are good options from the bench too. What Barnsley have to be careful of is complacency. Games against Bristol Rovers and Wycombe have been tougher for Duff`s side whereas some of the top sides have been put to the sword with ease. This game has the potential to be a banana skin if the Tykes aren’t careful. Having said that, I predict an away win with Barnsley winning 2-0.