The pre-match insight ahead of Saturday's visit of Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship.
In what seems a throwback to last season, the games keep on coming in this hectic schedule. We could do with some of last season's results right now though, if we're to somehow stave off the very real threat of another drop into the third tier of English football.
The Reds travelled south to Bedfordshire in midweek and despite a fairly promising first 45 against Luton Town, another defeat was registered after a lacklustre second half.
After a bright start at Kenilworth Road, the hosts wrestled control by the half-hour mark. Iffy defending of a corner kick - which was very reminscent of a goal conceded at Birmingham City recently - saw Allan Campbell poke the Hatters ahead.
But the Reds rallied and levelled up before the break when Carlton Morris raced onto a Callum Styles through-ball and beat the home 'keeper with real aplomb. It was a deserved equaliser and there was genuine optimism amongst those of us of a BFC persuasion going into that half-time interval.
But as bright and enthusiastic as the Reds were in that opening period, in the second, it was quite the opposite. And we were ultimately unable to get a grip of the improving opposition, eventually conceding the second goal, and again it came about in frustrating fashion.
Hatters substitute Fred Onyedinma scampered into the box ahead of defenders and reached the ball before 'keeper Brad Collins who took down the Luton forward, with the referee awarding the home side a penalty.
That was superbly despatched by their top scorer, Elijah Adebayo and even with half-an-hour still to play, Barnsley's response never suggested a comeback. It became our sixth consecutive league defeat.
The loss of top goalscorer for the last three seasons and club captain, Cauley Woodrow is proving itself to be the biggest injury blow of a campaign that's been punctuated by them at an alarming rate.
We have the likes of Callum Brittain, Matty Wolfe, Jasper Moon and Clarke Oduor close to their own respective returns, but it's about the players who are available right now and them improving their performances under a head coach in Poya Asbaghi who is still yet to record a league win after 11 attempts.
There was another victory for Derby County in midweek, but in terms of others down in the mire with us, both Peterborough United and Reading were beaten, so the gap to 'safety' remains at eight points.
This weekend doesn't get any easier for us. It's another side at the other end of the spectrum. Flying high and in good spirits.
Queens Park Rangers sit 4th in the Championship table, and come into this Saturday's 3pm kick-off at Oakwell unbeaten in 2022.
The R's have won five of their last seven games. They had to be content with a point in a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening.
In a game they were leading 2-1, Rangers were admittedly second best against Boro who deservedly levelled on the hour-mark when unfortunately for our visitors this weekend, Albert Adomah put the ball into his own net.
The Hoops look a good bet for at least a play-off place this term, with Mark Warburton continuing his good work at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, building year upon year towards what he will hope is a successful promotion tilt.
Rangers are unbeaten in their last six away games, winning five of them. You have to go back to October for their last defeat on the road, but that was against another side, in Peterborough who are stuck firmly in the relegation zone.
In the reverse fixture back in August, the Reds had arguably one of their better performances this season. 2-0 ahead at half-time, and probably unlucky not to be further ahead, we folded a little after the break. By the end of that lunchtime kick-off we were happy to hang on for a point.
At Oakwell last season in this fixture, Barnsley kicked off the Valérien Ismaël era in style with a 3-0 victory against the R's who saw Rob Dickie sent off in the first half.
A year before, it was the visiting Hoops getting on the scoresheet three times. But we scored five in a crazy outing under Gerhard Struber.
This weekend's referee is Michael Salisbury. In a rare occurrence, it means he will have taken charge of a Reds game in back-to-back fixtures.
He was in charge at the City Ground for our 3-0 humbling at Nottingham Forest recently and hasn't featured since then.
In terms of domestic streaming, a reminder that the EFL returned to the position held pre-pandemic, where any games kicking off between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturday afternoons are prohibited.
However, supporters in the UK are able to buy audio passes via iFollow Barnsley.
Our overseas fans can enjoy live streaming of the game, with a match pass priced at £10.
For further information on iFollow for this season, and how to activate seasonal subscriptions, please click the link below.
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