FutbolGazette

Barnsley face up to five absentees for huge game against Blackpool- here’s the lowdown on the Tykes

April 19, 2024 Michael Mills

On Saturday afternoon, Blackpool will host Barnsley at Bloomfield Road for a crucial match in the race for a top-six finish in League One.

Blackpool is set to face Barnsley at Bloomfield Road on Saturday in a significant match for the race to the top six in League One. Barnsley, currently in fifth place, is five points ahead of Blackpool, but they have not won in their last four games. A victory for Blackpool would keep their slim playoff hopes alive for another week before their final game against Reading. Oxford United and Lincoln City are also ahead of Blackpool, with 73 and 71 points, respectively, and a better goal difference than Blackpool’s 70 points. The penultimate round of fixtures will be crucial for Blackpool to secure a playoff spot.

Ahead of the upcoming match at Bloomfield Road, Doug O’Kane from the Barnsley Chronicle has shared insights about Neil Collins’ Barnsley team.

Barnsley’s midfielders, Jon Russell and Luca Connell, are facing fitness concerns for the weekend due to recent injuries. Donovan Pines, a January signing and USA defender, is ruled out for the season with a thigh issue. Robbie Cundy is close to making a comeback after a year-long absence, while Josh Benson has sustained another injury and is unlikely to feature this season.

In recent weeks, Barnsley has gone from being a strong contender for the second spot to being embroiled in the race to secure a playoff position. The team has managed to earn only nine points from their last ten games, with a high number of defensive errors leading to a significant increase in conceded goals. Despite a more promising performance at Portsmouth on Tuesday, Barnsley suffered a late collapse, resulting in their third consecutive away loss and setting a new club record for points earned on the road.

Blackpool, on the other hand, has had a week off, while Barnsley has had to endure a long trip to the South Coast and a painful defeat. This weekend’s match is expected to be closely contested, but Barnsley’s struggles to secure results in recent games may continue, potentially extending the playoff race to the final day.

During the recent match at Portsmouth, he had a varied performance, scoring a goal but also missing a significant opportunity, and later conceding a penalty that altered the course of the game. Despite this, the player on loan from Luton remains a crucial attacking asset for Barnsley, having scored 14 goals, including one against Blackpool in the EFL Trophy. He is known for his relentless pressing and creative play on the field. His strike partner, Devante Cole, broke a goal drought of 14 games by scoring his 18th goal of the season during the midweek match.