Barnsley (H) League One March 5th 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

In the corresponding away fixtures towards the end of October (which we won 0-2) Barnsley were one point above the relegation zone with a goal difference of -4. Since then a spectacular run of form has seen them shoot up the table to their current 7th place, equal on points with 6th place Coventry City, so it's fair to say we will be facing a very different Barnsley side this time round. They've had a similar experience to us in one respect - their manager (Lee Johnson) left to go to pastures new but the club is in no rush to appoint a successor, preferring instead to leave things in the hands of two very able deputies, Paul Heckingbottom and Tommy Wright (Do we have a lesson to learn here?). Sam Winnall leads the scoring charts with 18 this season, followed by Conor Hourihane with 8. Barnsley's most recent League One games:

7 Feb Bury (H) Won 3-0
13 Feb Gillingham (A) Lost 2-1
20 Feb Doncaster Rovers (H) Won 1-0
23 Feb Bury (A) Drew 0-0
27 Feb Crewe Alexandra (A) Won 1-2
1 Mar Coventry City (H) Won 2-0

I've almost reached the stage of giving up wondering what Sean O'Driscoll will come up with in terms of tactics and team selection......most of us are convinced that whatever he's been doing so far doesn't seem to be working very well where results are concerned, and it's a dead cert that from our current position draws won't be enough to regain an automatic promotion place. As an example, just looking at the 10 most recent games played in League One - we've amassed 11 points whereas Barnsley's harvest is 25 points!! Wigan Athletic, undefeated in their last 10 games, have got 22 points. Enough said.

Rumour has it that Sean O'Driscoll is now in favour of playing two strikers as a way of giving some support to Tom Bradshaw. Well, it's a start - but I wonder who he has in mind.....could it be one of our younger breed of strikers who all seem to be out on loan at the moment? Perhaps one of the aggressive midfielders that WE have on loan could be tried out up front instead of risking splinters by shuffling around on the bench all the time........who knows?

Prediction? Again, who knows? Which Walsall team will show up on the day with the attitude and fitness required? I'll go for the same optimistic outcome that I foolishly predicted against Scunthorpe - a 1-0 win, and I don't care who gets our goal!!

UTS :mrgreen:

(EDIT......Bearing in mind the latest news, I'll stick my neck out and say (a) Jordy will play, and (b) He will score the winner :D

[chestersaddler]

Heart says 11-0
Head says well get fudge up the ring 0-3 :(
Having said that, I won't be there so we will probably Dick their brains out

[Ancient Moaner]

Similar, heart says sneak a 1-0 'win', but as that word has not featured as a consideration for any Walsall matches of late, head says the form team will slay us, another 3-0 defeat looms, and the Fleetwood 'game in hand' will not be the 3 point certainty it would have been when we should have played them earlier.

[BathSaddler]

I was going to predict a 2-0 defeat, but H-M coming back is a boost so I'll go for a 1-1 draw, in front of 5,221, including 1,004 away.

[scott_powell]

4-0 Walsall. This is the game we finally smash someone at home!

[Guest]

I was going to predict a 2-0 defeat, but H-M coming back is a boost so I'll go for a 1-1 draw, in front of 5,221, including 1,004 away.

But will Jordy play, warm the bench, or fail a fitness test?

[BathSaddler]

I was going to predict a 2-0 defeat, but H-M coming back is a boost so I'll go for a 1-1 draw, in front of 5,221, including 1,004 away.

But will Jordy play, warm the bench, or fail a fitness test?

He'll start. Whether Rico will is another issue entirely.

[chunkster]

well it really is difficult to predict :| on the past 5 games i would say either a loss or a 0-0. it all depends on which team so'd puts out? after reading his interview in the E&S today. he is an admirer of the way burton play.from the back :( . i have no problem with playing it out from the back. but if i had to watch burton every week i'd slit my wrists. so if he changes the team round. and gives kinsella/rico/both morris's and jordy a starting birth. just to freshen the team up and rest some weary legs. then 2-0. but if he sticks to the same team. then 0-2 in front of 4990 and 900 from barnsley

[SoccerHQ]

1-1.

[firreblade]

If SOD stays with the same selection then no we wont win 0-0 or 0-1 Barnsley . But I hope i am wrong and we get a win.

[funk_hits_the_fan]

Milan, Hiwula & Rico on the bench.

Wtf!!! :shock:

Okay now its getting silly.

[BathSaddler]

Keiron Morris in for Milan Lalkovic the only change from midweek.

Hiwula on the bench :shock: .

[SaddlerSteve]

Milan, Hiwula & Rico on the bench.

Wtf!!! :shock:

Okay now its getting silly.

Don't worry.
I'm sure they'll get a couple of minutes on pitch at the end of the game.

[Darth Vader]

Can slightly understand hiwula on the bench being his first game back. Rico however is baffling again, the lads gonna wanna fudge off soon enough if he doesn't already, made an impact and would definitely sign for a decent side

[gerryhatrick]

Can slightly understand hiwula on the bench being his first game back. Rico however is baffling again, the lads gonna wanna fudge off soon eniygh if he doesn't already, made an impact and would definitely sign for a decent side

The majority of our success has been down to starting on the front foot, to attempt to open the scoring. It's pretty rare that we win from being behind.

[chestersaddler]

Plenty of attacking options today.

Glad to see Morris starting.

[chunkster]

Plenty of attacking options today.

Glad to see Morris starting.

ye all the attacking options are on the bench :lol:

[Ancient Moaner]

Milan, Hiwula & Rico on the bench.

Wtf!!! :shock:

Okay now its getting silly.

THIS!! Blimey I've agreed with a FHTF post, I must be losing my grip! ( no where near as unbelievable as actually agreeing with a Sound-Out post the other week though!) :mrgreen:

But the man in charge is a SOD'in moron, :( clear and simple, the sooner the Board get rid the better!

[chriss5471]

And so the woodwork has come into play...

[Ancient Moaner]

Good start by Crewe! We just need the Posh to be on top of their game today, cus with this clown in charge WE won't make much headway!

[hullsaddler]

Oh dear!!!!!!

[Ancient Moaner]

ffs!!! 3-0 defeat it is then! :( :( :( :( :(

[chriss5471]

ffs!!! 3-0 defeat it is then! :( :( :( :( :(

This is almost comical if I didn't love the club I'd be in hysterical laughter as it is I'm nearly in hysterical tears. :cry:

[Ancient Moaner]

ffs!!! 3-0 defeat it is then! :( :( :( :( :(

This is almost comical if I didn't love the club I'd be in hysterical laughter as it is I'm nearly in hysterical tears. :cry:

This clown has systematically ruined our season. Will need one hell of a comeback, cus Barnsley are on fire currently. :(

[chunkster]

millwall 2-0 up and port vale 1-0 up

[chriss5471]

ffs!!! 3-0 defeat it is then! :( :( :( :( :(

This is almost comical if I didn't love the club I'd be in hysterical laughter as it is I'm nearly in hysterical tears. :cry:

This clown has systematically ruined our season. Will need one hell of a comeback, cus Barnsley are on fire currently. :(

If we can hold on until the 89th minute he'll bring Jordy on and then we may have a chance!

[Zaddler]

Can anyone remember a season where we have hit the woodwork as much as this one. I have lost count.

OH and what the hell was that team selection all about SOD ????

[Ancient Moaner]

Appears they're all over us like a rash, this is an embarrassment, hope the home fans make their displeasure audible!

[chriss5471]

Can anyone remember a season where we have hit the woodwork as much as this one. I have lost count.

OH and what the hell was that team selection all about SOD ????

You can't criticise the team selection. We held on until the 17th minute against a team from another planet class wise (at least that's what O'D will say)

[Zaddler]

Get in Tommy boy :)