Exeter v Barnsley Match Preview

Home is where the heart is, so the saying goes but when it comes to Barnsley FC, away days rule. This season the Reds are unbeaten on their travels with an aggregate of 11-2. Currently on a run of 4 straight away wins with the only away game not won was a useful 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers. Barnsley now head down to Devon to face Exeter City, a side who have lost their last three games. 

The Opposition

Prior to those three defeats, Exeter picked up 13 points from their first 6 games. Currently sitting in 10th position only 3 points behind the Reds. The Grecians top scorers are Demetri Mitchell and James Scott with three goals apiece. Ex-Red Jack Aitchison is currently at Exeter after signing a two year deal, he has 1 goal from 7 league appearances. 

Managed by Gary Caldwell who stepped in when Matty Taylor left for Rotherham in October of last year. Caldwell led Exeter to a respectable 14th in League One last season. 

Last time out

Exeter did the double over us last season winning convincingly in both games. Almost a  year ago to the day, Exeter won 2-0 at Oakwell with both goals scored by Jay Stansfield. In the return fixture, the Reds were well beaten 3-1 at St James Park with Stansfield scoring again along with goals from Harry George Kite and Sam Nombe who Barnsley had been previously linked with. 

Historically

St James Park is not a happy hunting ground for Barnsley having only won on two visits in eleven attempts. The last being in November 1980 with a 1-0 win. 

One to watch

Midfielder Tom Carroll was signed on a free transfer from Tottenham which has turned out to be a shrewd bit of business. The 31 year old is a deep-lying creative midfielder and a player who at this level can win games on his own. 

Team News

Exeter have received a boost after successfully appealing the red card given to captain Will Aimson in their midweek defeat at Charlton. Aimson was given his marching orders for a tackle on Alfie May and had faced 3 game ban.

Josh Benson got minutes under his belt in the midweek win at Cambridge and may feature this Saturday. Collins has rotated his squad this season often trying to find his best eleven. Predicting who will partner top scorer Devante Cole has been difficult to do but the likes of Max Watters and Nicky Cadden may keep their places in the side given their scoring exploits midweek. 

Match Officials

Scott Jackson with officiate the game with Hugh Gilroy and Derek Eaton running the lines. The fourth official is Andy Bennett. 

Predictions

Despite Exeter being on a poor run, this is still a difficult place to go and get three points however, the form guide would point to another away victory for the Reds. 

Carlo is sticking with his usual 3-1 Reds victory and Steve has gone for a 2-0 Reds win whilst Ian is more concerned about the opposition and has opted for a score draw.