18th April, 2015 3pm KO.SaturdayBarnsley v Peterborough -
The Reds will go in search of their first win in eight games when they host Peterborough at Oakwell on Saturday afternoon.
Two defeats and five draws – including their last two – has seen Lee Johnson’s side slip away from play-off contention and with the Club last tasting victory over a month ago, three points will be very welcome this weekend.
A 17thwin of the campaign would also bring to an end Barnsley’s three-match winless Oakwell run, as head coach Johnson attempts to motivate his side to achieve a strong finish to the season.
Saturday’s visitors Peterborough sit level on points with the Reds; having won just one of their last seven games under caretaker boss Dave Robertson.
Robertson – a former Royal Marine – did win his first four games in charge but four defeats in seven games has, like the Reds, seen the Posh’s play-off hopes come to an end.
The one-time Football League Trophy winners will also be aiming to finish the campaign in a positive manner but to do that, they will have to end the Club’s three match losing streak on the road which has seen the Posh lose at Preston, Scunthorpe and Swindon in their last three outings.
Previous Meetings
Barnsley will look to end a disappointing run of form against the Posh when Dave Robertson’s side arrive at Oakwell on Saturday.
In October, Peterborough’s 2-1 home triumph against the Reds made it three wins in a row for the Posh in this fixture, following the Club’s double in the 2012-13 season.
At Oakwell, goals from George Boyd and Tyrone Barnett won it for the visitors, while back at London Road and Marlon Harewood’s 79thminute equaliser proved insignificant as Tommy Rowe struck three minutes from time to clinch three points for the home side.
You only have to go back another season for Barnsley’s most recent success in this clash however, with David Cotterill’s first-half strike earning the Reds a 1-0 win in March 2012, while in the reverse fixture, Craig Davies’ winner meant the Reds edged a seven-goal thriller.
Team News
Lee Johnson is set to hand starts to some of the Club’s fringe players this weekend as the Reds head coach begins his preparations for next season.
Milan Lalkovic, James Bailey and Luke Berry are all eager to be included in the Club’s starting XI, while youngsters Mason Holgate and Rhys Oates will be hoping for a chance to impress.
On the injury front Jean Yves-Mvoto remains out with a groin injury so on-loan Crystal Palace man Peter Ramage will continue alongside Lewin Nyatanga at the heart of the Club’s back four.
For the Posh, winger Jon Taylor may return to the squad after struggling with a knee problem of late.
If passed fit, the former Shrewsbury man could line up alongside Alan Sheehan and Aaron Mclean, who are both pushing for starts under caretaker boss Dave Robertson.
Man in the Middle
Sebastian Stockbridge will take charge of a game at Oakwell for the second time this season when the Posh travel to South Yorkshire this weekend. The Tyne-based official oversaw the Reds’ 3-2 loss against Notts County back in October, which was the second Barnsley game officiated by Stockbridge. His first involvement with the Reds came in January last season, when he awarded the Club a 69thminute penalty which was dispatched by forward Chris O’Grady to earn the Reds a 2-2 home draw against Blackburn Rovers.
Stockbridge – who will be assisted by linesmen Peter Gooch and Joe Hull, as well as fourth official Robert Atkin at Oakwell – has ruled over 25 games this season; handing out 78 yellow cards and just one red. One of those yellows came during Barnsley’s defeat against Notts County, as the official had a leninant evening in South Yorkshire. The only red card brandished by Stockbridge this year came in February when AFC Wimbledon’s Mark Phillips was sent for an early bath following an altercation with Stuart Beavon.
Their Star Man
With young forward Conor Washington coming to the end of his first full season with the Posh, the former Newport County man can reflect on a successful campaign at London Road. Signed from the Exiles in January 2014, Washington netted five times in the second-half of last season including a brace at Shrewsbury as the Posh picked up a 4-2 win at Greenhous Meadow.
This season however, and the front man has doubled that tally to become the Club’s top goal scorer. Despite that, Washington netted just once in his first 11 games this season with a strike against Colchester as the Posh won 3-1 but as the campaign reached October, Washington began to hit form; scoring five times in seven games including a double at Crawley and the Club’s first in their 2-1 win against Barnsley in mid-October. Although the striker – who also has six assists this season - has failed to become prolific since then, the 22-year-old netted in big wins against Sheffield United and Doncaster, as well as a second-half equaliser against Crewe on Tuesday night to take his tally for the season to 10.
Mutual Man
Cardiff-born winger Arron Davies began his youth career career at his hometown Club but it was at Southampton that the attacker really began to develop. With a string of reserve team performances behind him and on the brisk of making a first-team breakthrough, Davies joined Barnsley on loan in February 2004. The current Exeter man made his professional debut in the colours of Barnsley; playing the final 20 minutes as the Reds lost 1-0 against Wrexham in Davies’ homeland. Another substitute appearance came the midfielder’s way a week later as Barnsley drew 0-0 at home to Wycombe, before his one and only start for the Club ended in disaster as the Reds went down to a 6-1 hammering at Grimsby Town in the old division two. The former Wales U21 captain would make only one more appearance for the Club following that defeat and it failed to inspire as the Reds earned a goalless draw against Luton at Oakwell.
With some first team action behind him, Davies returned to parent Club Southampton but after failing to make the grade, he moved to Yeovil Town ahead of spells with Nottingham Forest and Brighton. In July 2010 however, and the winger agreed a move to Peterborough where he teamed up with his former Yeovil boss Gary Johnson. After making his debut in a 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers, Davies went onto make 28 appearances for the Posh; scoring once in that time. That strike arrived in November 2010, when the wide man netted the Club’s second in a 3-1 success at Walsall. That victory was one of 14 during Davies’ time with the Club, as they clinched promotion to the Championship after beating Huddersfield Town 3-0 in the play-off final.
Despite that achievement, the ex-Wales international was transfer-listed and sold by new Posh manager Darren Ferguson in June 2011, from whom he joined Northampton to play under Johnson – who had left the Posh in January 2011 - once again. Following a season and four goals, the Welshman moved to Exeter in July 2012, where he remains after making over 100 appearances for the Grecians.
Form Guide
Barnsley’s last five at home: (WWDLD)
Barnsley 1-0 Coventry City
Barnsley 3-0 Walsall
Barnsley 1-1 Preston North End
Barnsley 0-2 Sheffield United
Barnsley 1-1 Chesterfield
Peterborough’s last five away from home: (WWLLL)
Sheffield United 1-2 Peterborough
Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Peterborough
Preston North End 2-0 Peterborough
Scunthorpe United 2-0 Peterborough
Swindon Town 1-0 Peterborough