Somehow, we are heading into yet another matchday - the Reds are back in action on Friday evening as we welcome the Cherries.
Yes, despite playing just a couple of nights ago, this bonkers 20/21 season keeps on giving as the Reds are set to take on Bournemouth in a 5.30pm kick-off on Friday evening, LIVE on Sky Sports.
At least Barnsley are coming into this latest fixture on the back of a fine victory last time out. Tuesday night saw Valérien Ismaël's side bounce back from consecutive defeats to come from behind at Birmingham City, winning 2-1 thanks to another late Callum Styles strike.
That fifth win in his eight games as Head Coach lifted Valérien's side up to 14th, moving onto 19 points after 15 games. For context, it took until the 23rd game to reach that tally last term, just before Christmas 2019.
It's also worth mentioning that the Reds had just four points when Ismaël took over, and were without a win from their opening seven matches. It has been a stunning start for the French boss.
Ahead of the Bournemouth clash, both Valérien and his forward, Victor Adeboyejo spoke to the media and their pre-match interviews can be seen by clicking the linked videos above.
But Friday night might well be the sternest test so far for him and Barnsley, with the visit of a high-flying Cherries outfit who were relegated from last season's Premier League.
Defeated in midweek, their first reverse on home soil so far this season, Bournemouth are 2nd in the table and looking well set for an instant return to the top flight.
If there’s a perceived weakness then in this Bournemouth side it might be their away form. They’ve only won two of their road trips so far this season.
Their last away fixture was also in South Yorkshire; that being last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Rotherham United where one-time England cap Dominic Solanke grabbed an equaliser.
It's a fixture that hasn't been played since 2014, which ended in a late 1-0 win for the visitors, with Steve Cook scoring the winner. He's still a Cherry to this day, having played a huge part in the club's climb up the pyramid.
For a last win against the Cherries, we have to go back to the last Millennium, and January of 1999 when goals from Darren Sheridan, Martin Bullock and Craig Hignett saw us to a 3-1 FA Cup triumph.
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