Barnsley are back in Sky Bet League One action this Tuesday evening and we've got everything covered here in our big match preview.
The Reds head across to the Crown Oil Arena on Tuesday night for our first midweek league fixture of the 2018/19 Sky Bet League One campaign as Daniel Stendel’s side come face to face with Rochdale AFC.
Although Saturday’s goalless draw at Oakwell against AFC Wimbledon ended Barnsley’s 100% start to the league season, Stendel’s men remain in good spirits as they prepare for a War of the Roses clash.
That third successive clean sheet at the weekend saw this young Reds side enter the record books - the first side in Reds history to earn three clean sheets in the first three league fixtures of a season.
The Reds Head Coach however, he’ll be hoping for a better showing from the team in front of goal when they line up at 7:45pm on Tuesday night. They managed just one shot on target against the Dons despite dominating the match for large spells, making it the first time they’ve failed to score in a match under Stendel, be it in friendlies or competitive fixtures.
With only Ryan Hedges and Zeki Fryers still recovering from their respective injuries picked up in pre-season, the German has plenty of options at his disposal as the Reds look to get back to winning ways and back on top of the league table.
Our hosts this Tuesday evening have had a mixed start to their season. An opening day 2-1 triumph at Burton Albion was followed by a 4-1 home thumping by Peterborough United before last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Fleetwood Town, equalising in the 95th minute at Highbury.
Dale have a number of former Reds in their squad - midfielder David Perkins returned to Spotland this summer for a second spell at the club, signing on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic. The well-travelled veteran spent three years at Oakwell and was something of a fan favourite with his all-action displays and work-rate.
33-year-old defender Jimmy McNulty also spent three years with Barnsley and he’s now into his third season with Rochdale following a spell with their close rivals, Bury.
Matty Done is enjoying a third spell with Dale having made 47 appearances for the Reds between 2011 and 2013. The 30-year-old forward had a successful stint with Sheffield United before linking up with Rochdale for a third time in his career back in 2017.
Of course, there aren’t just connections in terms of players, Rochdale are still managed by former Barnsley gaffer Keith Hill. The 49-year-old was in charge at Oakwell for 18 months between 2011 and 2012.
After a very promising first half of the 2011/12 campaign where he had the Reds challenging for a playoff place he lost a number of influential players to injury whilst seeing others transferred during January of 2012. The Reds’ form subsequently dropped off and for the rest of that year the wins were few and far between and he was dismissed after a home defeat against Blackburn Rovers just after Christmas.
He returned to Rochdale less than a month later and in his first full season back at the helm he led Dale back into the third tier where they’ve remained ever since. After a couple of promising campaigns pushing for the playoffs in Sky Bet League One, the club haven’t fared as well recently, surviving relegation dramatically on the last day of the 2017/18 season.
Historically, the Reds come out on top in this particular fixture with 24 victories in 44 games between the two clubs. However, Barnsley were beaten on their last competitive visit to Spotland, a 3-0 reverse in August of 2015.
Tickets for the match remain on sale through the Box Office/Reds Superstore until 12 noon on Tuesday, subject to availability. Prices are as follows, click the link below to order your tickets online.
Adults: £22
Seniors Over 65: £16
Young Adults (17-21yrs): £16
Juveniles Under 17: £5
Tickets are available to purchase on the night of the match from cash turnstiles at the ground. There will be no price increase.
This first midweek match of the league season also sees the launch of live match streams to UK-based iFollow Barnsley subscribers with a Match Pass for this fixture priced at £10. For further information and to sign up for all the latest action, please click the image below.