This is the dirt on Barnsley before of their big match against Blackpool, where they might have up to five absentees.
Five important players for Barnsley have been named by the manager to miss the match in the League One playoffs.
The Tykes have lost their previous four games despite being five points clear of Neil Crtichley’s team in fifth position right now. With a win, the Seasiders’ slim chances of making the playoffs would be sustained for a another week before their season-ending trip to Reading.
Before this season’s last round of games, Oxford United and Lincoln City are also ahead of the Fylde Coast team. The U’s have 73 points at the moment, the Imps have 71, and Blackpool has 70. Both teams also have a better goal differential.
The following is the dirt on Neill Collins’ team from Doug O’Kane of the Barnsley Chronicle before of this weekend’s match at Bloomfield Road:
news about injuries
Due to recent injuries, midfielders Luca Connell and Jon Russell are both questionable for the weekend. Robbie Cundy is almost ready to make a comeback after missing a season due to a thigh injury, but January signing and USA defender Donovan Pines remains out for the whole year. Josh Benson is unlikely to play this season due to yet another setback in his condition.
Most likely lineup
(3-5-2) Roberts; O’Keeffe, Phillips, Kane, Grant, Cadden; McAtee, Cole; Williams, de Gevigney, Earl.
In order to create a 3-4-3, Phillips occasionally moves up into a front three.
After losing a 2-0 lead against Bolton, Barnsley appeared like a lock for second place last month, but they have since fallen into the struggle to make the playoffs.
Nine points from 10 games is all they have, they are giving up far too many goals due to defensive blunders, and many of their overall performances have been quite poor.
After breaking a club record for points scored on the road, they were far superior against Portsmouth on Tuesday and appeared to be winning until a late implosion resulted in a third consecutive away loss.
While Barnsley made the long trip to the South Coast and lost badly, Blackpool will have had a week off. The game could be quite close, but the Reds are currently having a lot of trouble achieving outcomes, so their fight for a play-off spot might very well continue until the very end.
Major player: John McAtee
