All the information ahead of tomorrow's Emirates FA Cup tie at Bloomfield Road..
Blackpool v Barnsley
Barnsley and Blackpool will meet in the FA Cup for a seventh time this weekend.
The Reds go into the game having won three of their last four matches including Monday afternoon’s 1-0 success at Nottingham Forest.
That means Paul Heckingbottom’s men have now lost just once in their last seven outings and are unbeaten in their last four, they will cross the Pennines confident of avoiding an upset.
Hosts Blackpool will have other ideas however, as they attempt to beat a side 50 places above them in the footballing pyramid.
Gary Bowyer’s men currently sit 10th in League Two but despite tasting victory just once in their last four matches, they did embark on a run of nine wins in 11 games in all competitions prior to that.
The Seasiders’ recent from has included back-to-back losses at Bloomfield Road but with just three defeats in total at home this term, it will be far from an easy trip for the Reds.
Previous Meetings
Barnsley will look to continue their impressive form in this fixture when they travel to Bloomfield Road.
The Reds have won three of the last six meetings between the Clubs including the most recent clash in December 2015 when a brace from Sam Winnall helped the Reds on their way to a 4-2 win at Oakwell.
Blackpool meanwhile have tasted victory just once in their last six games against the Reds, with Scott Golbourne’s own goal securing a 1-0 win for the Seasiders in August 2013.
That was the Lancashire-based side’s 29th triumph in this fixture and while there has been 26 draws between the Clubs, Barnsley have enjoyed the most success, winning 43 times.
Team News
The Reds will welcome back defender Marc Roberts from suspension after sitting out the game against Forest.
Despite that, Adam Jackson could continue alongside Angus MacDonald following the clean sheet gained at the City Ground, while Adam Hammill will be hoping for another start after returning from his suspension last time out.
Elsewhere, Paul Heckingbottom may be tempted to rotate his squad following a busy festive period, with Aidy White and Marley Watkins eager to be involved.
Hosts Blackpool are set to be without midfield duo Mark Yeates (calf) and Colin Daniel (hamstring) once again due to injury.
The Seasiders do have plenty of options in midfield however including captain Danny Pugh, former Peterborough man Jack Payne and the much sought after Brad Potts.
In attack, top goal scorer Kyle Vassell will be looking to add to the 11 goals he has already netted for the Club since joining on a free transfer in the summer.
Man in the Middle
Chris Sarginson will take charge of a Barnsley v Blackpool fixture for the second time in his career on Saturday.
In December 2015, the Staffordshire-based official was the man in the middle as the Reds secured a 4-2 win against the Seasiders at Oakwell in League One.
That success was Barnsley’s first in Sarginson’s company having drawn twice and lost once in their previous three meetings with the referee.
Blackpool meanwhile, have lost four of their five matches officiated by Sarginson, with their only victory a 4-0 triumph against Burnley back in April 2012.
Despite not taking charge of either of these sides so far this term, he has been the man in the middle for 22 games, handing out 65 yellow cards and two reds.
Their Star Man
He may only be 22 but Brad Potts has already made close to 200 appearances in the Football League.
Since joining Blackpool in June 2015 from Carlisle, the midfielder has featured 75 times for the Seasiders; 74 of which have been starts.
Last season the former England U19 international scored six in his debut season at Bloomfield Road and although that wasn’t enough to keep the Lancashire side in League One, he has taken his game to an even higher level this time out.
So far this term, the Hexham-born winger has netted eight times including a brace and man of the match performance against Doncaster in October.
It’s not just goals which have seen Potts linked with a number of Championship and League One Clubs in recent times however, with the ex-Carlisle man also providing seven assists for the Seasiders this season.
Despite not scoring or assisting in his last five outings, the versatile midfielder is a vital cog in this Blackpool team and Gary Bowyer will be desperate to hang onto his star man this month.
Mutual Man
Daniel Bogdanovic may have spent the majority of his playing career in Malta and Bulgaria but the tall forward also enjoyed three years showcasing his talents in England.
It was actually the Reds who brought him to these shores, signing the Malta international for an undisclosed fee from Lokomotiv Sofia in January 2009 following a successful trial.
The former Valetta and Sliema Wanderers man was an instant hit at Oakwell, bagging on his debut against Ipswich before scoring Barnsley’s first in a 2-1 win against QPR on his fourth outing.
He ended the 2008-09 campaign with five goals to his name but after showing glimpses of his goal scoring prowess, Bogdanovic reached the top of his game in the following season, netting 14 goals in 33 games including braces against Reading, Cardiff and Nottingham Forest.
Despite that impressive form, the Libyan-born striker failed to renew his contract at Oakwell and in June 2010 he joined South Yorkshire and Championship rivals Sheffield United.
The former Tyke would spend just one season at Bramall Lane however and in August 2011 he penned a deal with Saturday’s hosts Blackpool after an undisclosed fee was agreed on transfer deadline day.
Although he did score twice in a 5-0 thumping of Bristol City, they would prove to be his only goals for the Seasiders before loan spells with Rochdale and Notts County.
Following those temporary switches away from Bloomfield Road, the 36-year-old was released in May 2012, making just one start for Blackpool before returning to his native Malta, where he continues to play today for Gozo-based side Xewkija Tigers.
Form Guide
Barnsley's last five away from home: (DWLWW)
Burton Albion 0-0 Barnsley
Birmingham City 0-3 Barnsley
Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Barnsley
Cardiff 3-4 Barnsley
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Barnsley
Blackpool’s last five at home: (WWWLL)
Blackpool 4-0 Notts County
Blackpool 4-1 Newport County
Blackpool 1-0 Brackley Town (FA Cup)
Blackpool 0-2 Luton Town
Blackpool 0-1 Mansfield Town
Going to the match?
Blackpool play at Bloomfield Road, its address is as follows:
Bloomfield Road
Seasiders Way
Blackpool
FY1 6JJ
How to get there
By Car:
The route into Blackpool comes courtesy of the M55 motorway, which can be accessed by coming off at Junction 32 on the M6. The best route for visiting supporters is to follow the M55 to the bottom, take the second exit at the roundabout and head straight down Yeadon Way onto Seasiders Way.
Parking:
On-site parking is extremely limited at Bloomfield Road so visiting supporters are advised to use the council pay and display car parks over the road from the stadium.
By Train:
The nearest train station to the stadium is Blackpool South (one mile), which also passes Blackpool Pleasure Beach en route to the ground. However, trains to this station run hourly from Preston and vice-versa.
More frequent trains serve Blackpool North train station, which is some 25 minutes walking distance from the ground.
By Bus:
Bus routes to the vicinity are served by numbers 7, 11 and 14 from the town centre bus station, while tram services on the promenade are within 10-15 minutes walking distance of the stadium.
Ticket Information
Adult: £15.00
Senior Over 60: £10.00
Juvenile Under 19: £5.00
Tickets will remain on sale in the Box Office/Reds Superstore until 4pm today but you can pay on the gate at Bloomfield Road.
Can’t get to the match?
You can follow all the action across our official channels and enjoy LIVE commentary on Barnsley Player HD.
