Why Barnsley cannot take Forest Green Rovers lightly

Looking at the League One table you could be forgiven for thinking Saturday`s fixture is a banker for the reds. The hosts will be relegated to League Two if they draw or lose against Barnsley but our recent away form suggest this may not be the canter we expect.

Poor away form

Barnsley haven’t found life easy on the road of late which should be a warning shot ahead of the trip to Gloucester. Recent defeats to Burton and Exeter along with a goalless draw at Bristol Rovers all sides in the lower half of the league is testament to the reds recent struggles on the road. Whilst the last away victory was at Wycombe a month ago, the reds left it late to snatch all three points in a tough encounter. If Barnsley are to force their way into an automatic play off place come the end of the season, they need a flourish on the road.

Barnsley play better against better sides

This is true of Barnsley over many seasons. Better sides seem to bring the best out of the reds and this season has been no different. Doing the double over Sheffield Wednesday, gaining a credible 2-2 draw at Ipswich, thumping Plymouth and Derby recently are all examples of this.

Then look at poor displays at Morecambe, Accrington, Bristol Rovers and Burton where the reds were expected to pick up relatively straightforward victories. Saturday is another one of those “banana skins” where the opposition will see this as a chance of a “big scalp”.

Just ask Sheffield Wednesday

Whilst no doubt we all had a chuckle at Wednesday losing at Forest Green 1-0 at the end of March, Barnsley must be on their guard not to go the same way as that lot from S6. After bouncing back from a defeat at Burton over Easter with a victory over Shrewsbury to make it 8 victories in a row at Oakwell, Barnsley must put in a professional performance at The New Lawn on Saturday to avoid going the same way as the Owls.

If Barnsley put in a solid performance and play to their full capabilities there is no reason they cannot come away from Gloucester with all three points. Take their foot off the gas and they risk having a difficult afternoon against a side wanting to put some sort of pride into their disappointing season.