A look ahead to Barnsley’s next four league fixtures

Nine games down and Barnsley currently sit in a play off place in 5th on 16 points. Looking over those first 9 games, as you would expect with a new manager in place there have been some ups and downs. 

Ups and Downs

Neill Collins first game in charge couldn’t have gone any better scoring 7 goals and keeping a clean sheet. In fact, Barnsley have found goals easy to come by scoring in every game so far. With 20 goals scored with an average of 2.2 per game, striker Devante Cole on fire with 9 goals to his name, Collins has got the reds firing.

The downside has been home defeats to Peterborough, Oxford and Portsmouth with an aggregate of 4-9 to the opposition. In those three games, the Reds failed their acid test showing there is plenty of room for improvement. 

On the road, Barnsley are undefeated. Putting in professional performances against sides that could have been banana skins like Cheltenham and Northampton as well as an impressive win at Wigan who were flying at that point in August has been pleasing.

What’s in store?

Looking ahead to the next four league games, sterner tests lie ahead. A home game against Blackpool on Saturday with three games away from Oakwell due to the postponement of the Bolton game due to international call ups. Away trips to Cambridge, Exeter and Leyton Orient make up a tough set of fixtures.

With Blackpool being relegated from the Championship last season there would be expectations of a quick return however, it’s been a slow start from Neil Critchley`s side who sit in 14th only scoring 8 goals in 8 games. With the reds poor home form this could be a tough fixture. The Seasiders put Reading to the sword winning 4-1 at the weekend with Jordan Rhodes scoring a hat-trick. 

The postponement of the Bolton game means the reds are on their travels for three successive matches at Cambridge, Exeter and Leyton Orient.

The trip to Exeter presents a tough challenge against a side who comfortably did the double over the Reds last season. The Grecians have started well this season and sit one place and one point behind Barnsley. In fact Barnsley have only won in Devon twice in 11 visits so will have to be on their game to get something out of this fixture.

On paper the easier fixture is away to Cambridge United where the Reds ran out 3-0 winners last season. Barnsley have won 4 and drawn once in the last 5 games between the two sides so will be confident of continuing that run. Although there should be some caution as in 5 home games, The U`s have won 3, drawn one and lost one (to third placed Stevenage) so this could be a tougher game than first thought.

Despite losing their first three games, Leyton Orient have bounced back with some notable performances. Credible draws at Blackpool and at Peterborough as well as victory away at Exeter have been the stand out results so far. Orient sit comfortably in 15th place and have a couple of home wins against Shrewsbury and Cambridge to their name.

It’s difficult to judge this game due to both sides only meeting in 2014/15 season since 1982. In 2014 the reds won 2-0 at Oakwell and drew 0-0 down at Orient.

Reds Report points predictions

Predicting how many points Barnsley will amass during this run of four games isn’t easy given the tests ahead. We at Reds Report have recorded our points predictions, a sure fire way to embarrass yourself but here are our thoughts. 

Ian – I’m not convinced our home form will suddenly improve, feeling we suit playing away from home where we hit sides on the break so I`m going for a score draw at home to Blackpool. Victory at Cambridge, a draw at Exeter and victory at Leyton Orient therefore getting the Reds 8 points from the four games.

Carlo – A tricky few matches for the Reds coming up. Home advantage is not something in Barnsley favour with their unbeaten away form and some “unsteady” home performances. Whilst Barnsley are above the other 4 teams in the table Neill Collins’ side showed the worst of themselves against Pompey only a week ago but came back with a fine 2-1 away win at Northampton. There is strength in depth and I can see the Reds win versus Blackpool, followed by a win at Cambridge and a loss at Exeter with another victory on the road at Orient will see us get 9 points from the next 4 games.

Steve – I can see us beating Blackpool & Cambridge and capable of getting a draw at Exeter. I see us going to Orient and taking all 3 points which would give us a tidy 10 points from 4 games.

Feel free to give us your opinion on the upcoming matches and tell us how many points you think the reds will get from these games.