Everything you need to know about our away clash this weekend, as we take on the Cherries in Dorset!
After a two-week hiatus, we are back down to business on Saturday as the Reds make the 500 mile round-trip to Bournemouth and the Vitality Stadium in Sky Bet Championship action.
The 3pm kick-off catapults us into a three-game week, with games quickly following against Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers. A real opportunity to get some positive results on the board in a short space of time and begin to climb the league table.
It seems a long time since we were last at it. The Reds closed out August and the opening month of the 21/22 season with a hard-fought point on home soil against Birmingham City. Having taken an early lead thanks to a Callum Styles rocket, Barnsley were pegged back in the first half by Blues and were hanging on for the draw by the time the referee blew for full-time.
That result - a third draw from five games - left the Reds 14th in the divisional standings. They've fought back for a point, won and lost a game 1-0 and then seen two leads extinguished in their last two fixtures. In essence, Barnsley have been involved in five very tight affairs so far.
Hard to beat, but hard to find that winning formula also. So far. Because let's remember, there are another 41 games in front of us. And at this stage last term we had just two points. And we all know how well 20/21 went for us.
There was bad news coming out of that draw with Birmingham though. Reds centre half Liam Kitching was charged by the FA for violent conduct after clashing with Blues substitute Chuks Aneke.
A three-game suspension sees him ruled out of Saturday's long trip south but throws open the door for someone else in Markus Schopp's squad. A group that was strengthened during the international break with the additions of midfielder Claudio Gomes and full-back Rémy Vita.
It remains to be seen who the gaffer will go to for the Cherries clash, but so far as Reds boss, Markus has tended to show faith in a regular XI and whilst there are players now available who weren't previously, and as mentioned, absentees also, it would be a surprise to see many changes considering the fine margins evident in the opening month of football.
Bournemouth are 6th so far this season, unbeaten in their opening five fixtures under newly-appointed manager Scott Parker. They've fielded numerous lineups in various formations in that time as the former England midfielder tries to find the perfect combination at the Vitality.
The ex-Fulham boss will be hoping for a better showing from his side against the Reds, having overseen two defeats in 2019/20 when in charge at Craven Cottage. He'll also want to better the Cherries' performance at this venue last season.
Barnsley turned Bournemouth over 3-2 in March of this year on the South Coast. As both sides battled for promotion, it was the Reds who won out in style. But in the end, both sides were losers in the play-offs and are now aiming to go one better than the previous campaign.
There are plenty of standout talents in this Cherries squad, but we have to look towards former England striker Dominic Solanke when talking about a key player. The one-time Chelsea and Liverpool forward scored in both games against the Reds last season and has already found the net on four occasions this term.
Bournemouth are without a win in their last three fixtures in all competitions. They drew 0-0 at Hull City last time out, and that followed the 6-0 humbling in the Carabao Cup against Norwich City. In their last home match they were 2-0 up against Blackpool (Solanke with a brace) but the visitors hit back in the second half to tie the game.
The man in the middle on Saturday will be Mr James Linington. Based in Newport, the experienced official took control of two Reds fixtures last term, both away trips, as we beat both Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City on the road.
In terms of coverage from what used to be known as Dean Court, 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 streaming-prohibited in the UK.
However, supporters here are able to buy audio passes via iFollow Barnsley, whilst our overseas fans can still watch the game LIVE on the same service, with a match pass costing £10.
For information on iFollow for this season, and how to activate seasonal subscriptions, please click the link below.
Live commentary of this match has not yet started.
key moments
Updated at
There are currently no key moments to display.