The Reds will be looking to build on last Saturday’s draw against Ipswich when they travel to Norwich this weekend.
A late Tom Lawrence effort denied Barnsley from securing all three points following a much improved display from Paul Heckingbottom’s side at Oakwell.
That result leaves the Reds 11th in the Championship but a win at Carrow Road this weekend could see Barnsley draw level on points with their hosts.
Norwich also go into this one on the back of a stalemate, after they began life without Alex Neil by drawing at home to Blackburn.
They sit eight points outside the play-off places but have failed to win in their last six outings; drawing three of their last four.
At home however, the Canaries are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions and despite being without a manager, it will be anything but an easy afternoon for the Reds.
Previous Meetings
The Reds will be hoping to secure their first win at Norwich in almost 80 years.
Since Barnsley’s last win at Carrow Road in May 1937, there have been seven draws and nine Norwich wins there.
That run has seen the Canaries win the last five meetings between the sides in Norfolk but despite that, Barnsley did end their 11-match winless run in this fixture earlier this season.
First half strikes from Tom Bradshaw and Conor Hourihane earned the Reds a 10th win against the Canaries but still trailing Norwich by seven victories, Paul Heckingbottom’s men will be out to complete a league double on Saturday.
Team News
Paul Heckingbottom has no fresh injury or suspension concerns ahead of the trip to Norwich this weekend.
Ryan Kent and Alex Mowatt will be hoping for recalls after dropping to the bench against Ipswich last Saturday, but Heckingbottom might be tempted to stick with the same starting XI which earned a 1-1 draw against the Tractor Boys.
Aidy White remains a long term absentee for the Reds but both Sessi D’Almeida and Saidy Janko are making good progress in their comebacks from injury.
Norwich will be without defender Mitchell Dijks who begins his three-match ban after receiving a straight red card against Blackburn.
The Canaries will have to check on the fitness of fellow defender Timm Klose who missed that 2-2 draw against Rovers with a back injury, but they will be unable to call upon Youssouf Mulumbu (thigh), Nelson Oliveira (broken foot), Graham Dorrans (knee) and Matt Jarvis (hamstring), who all remain on the sidelines.
Man in the Middle
Darren Bond will be in charge of a Barnsley game for the third time this season. The Lancashire-based official watched over the Reds’ 3-2 home win against QPR in August, as well as their goalless draw at Reading last month.
They are two of six Barnsley matches he has taken charge of in total; with the Reds winning two, drawing three and losing just the one.
Norwich meanwhile, have met with Bond on just two previous occasions but both of them have come this season.
The Lancastrian was the man in the middle for the Canaries 3-0 defeat at Birmingham back in August, whilst he also oversaw a happier afternoon for the Club as they ran out 3-0 winners at home to Derby in January.
They are two of 31 games which Bond has taken charge of so far this term; brandishing 97 yellow cards and five reds.
Their Star Man
He may only be in his third season at Carrow Road, but striker Cameron Jerome is already close to netting 50 goals for the Canaries.
Signed from Stoke City in August 2014, the Huddersfield-born front man netted 21 times in his first season with the Club; including one in the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough as Norwich clinched their promotion to the Premier League.
Despite only scoring three last term however, the powerful forward has been back amongst the goals this season; bagging 14 in 33 appearances so far.
Remarkably, eight of those strikes have arrived in Jerome’s last 11 games including a brace at home to Blackburn Rovers last weekend.
Having turned 30 in August, the former Cardiff and Birmingham man is one of the most experienced players in the Norwich City dressing room, but with the unbelievable work rate, clinical finishing and strong hold-up play he has showcased this season, he appears, if anything, to be getting better with age.
Mutual Man
Half-way through Barnsley’s first season back in Division One following their relegation from the Premier League, the Reds completed the signing of striker Mike Sheron from Queens Park Rangers.
The Liverpool-born forward would go onto become a real hit at Oakwell; netting 40 times in 172 appearances, including a winner at Huddersfield on his 15th outing for the Club and 11 goals in his first full campaign at Oakwell which ended in a play-off final defeat against Ipswich.
His most prolific return for the Reds came in the 2001-02 season, but despite striking 12 times in that campaign which included braces against Sheffield Wednesday, Walsall and Bradford, he could not prevent the Reds from suffering relegation to the old Division Two.
The former England U21 international added another nine to his Barnsley tally in the 2002-03 season but they would prove to be his final goals for the Club and in July 2003, Sheron joined Blackpool on a free transfer.
Prior to his move to Oakwell, the now 45-year-old spent a brief spell with Saturday’s hosts Norwich after joining them from his first Club Manchester City in August 1994.
He found the back of the net seven times in 15 months for the Canaries, but after a series of injuries he moved on for pastures new in November 1995; enjoying a prolific spell with Stoke City and then 18 months with QPR before joining the Reds.
Form Guide
Barnsley’s last five away from home: (WDWLL)
Rotherham 0-1 Barnsley
Reading 0-0 Barnsley
Aston Villa 1-3 Barnsley
Derby County 2-1 Barnsley
QPR 2-1 Barnsley
Norwich’s last five at home: (WWDDD)
Norwich 2-0 Birmingham City
Norwich 5-1 Nottingham Forest
Norwich 2-2 Newcastle United
Norwich 1-1 Ipswich Town
Norwich 2-2 Blackburn
Going to the match?
Norwich City play at Carrow Road, its address is as follows:
Carrow Road
Norwich
NR1 1JE
How to get there
By Car
Norwich City Football Club is signposted off the major routes coming into Norwich via the A11 and A47, with the postcode NR1 1JE.
From the West (A47): Exit A47 at A146, following signs for Norwich and Lowestoft. Turn left at the first set of lights at the bottom of the slip-road, then continue to the next set of traffic lights and turn right onto Martineau Lane. Keep in the right-hand lane and at the County Hall roundabout take the second exit. Keep right and turn right at the next set of traffic lights onto King Street – follow this road as it bends to the right over a bridge, with Carrow Road then visible to your right.
From the South (A11): Approaching Norwich on the A11 take the fifth exit at Thickthorn roundabout onto the A47 following signs for Great Yarmouth. Having joined the A47, following the directions listed above to access the stadium.
From Ipswich (A140): Approaching Norwich on the A140, eventually reaching a roundabout as the road meets the A47. Take the third exit at this roundabout ontothe A47 towards Great Yarmouth. Follow the road to the next exit (A146, Lowestoft) then follow the directions listed above to access the stadium.
From the East (A47): Exit the A47 at A146, following signs for Norwich and Lowestoft. Turn right at the first set of lights at the bottom of the slip-road, signposted Norwich, then continue to the next set of traffic lights and turn right onto Martineau Lane. Keep in the right-hand lane and at the County Hall roundabout take the second exit. Keep right and turn right at the next set of traffic lights onto King Street – follow this road as it bends to the right over a bridge, with Carrow Road then visible to your right.
Parking
Parking at Carrow Road on matchdays is very limited with access restricted to pass-holders.
Car park season ticket holders and relevant hospitality guests will have been issued with passes in advance, and no pay on the day parking is available on-site at Carrow Road for first team matches.
However, pay on the day parking is available at the nearby County Hall car park (NR1 2DH), which is approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the stadium at a cost of £6 per vehicle. To get there follow the directions from the A47 as above, with the car park situated off the first exit of the roundabout from Martineau Lane.
For visiting supporters travelling on unofficial coaches/minibuses please contact the Norwich City ticket office on 0844 826 1902 for parking information.
Please note that road closures operate immediately before and after matches outside the stadium to allow pedestrians to leave safely.
Resident parking schemes are in place in the streets around Carrow Road and this is strictly enforced and identified through on-street signage. Please do not park in these areas as you will be fined, and please also respect the needs of local residents.
Parking at Morrisons adjacent to the stadium is reserved for store customers only, with penalties imposed for misuse of this car park.
By Train
Norwich Train Station is located less than 10 minutes’ walk from Carrow Road.
When walking out of the station turn left and follow Koblenz Avenue to reach the stadium or alternatively walk straight over at the traffic lights and straight through the Riverside Leisure complex to reach Carrow Road.
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