Brian Howard returns to the squad after suspension as The Reds have almost a clean bill of health with just Bobby Hassell, Richard Kell and Dale Tonge missing for the trip to 2nd place Brentford, for the 3rd successive game The Reds will go 2nd if they win.
Daniel Nardiello could again get the nod upfront after putting in a Man of the Match performance against Swansea last weekend, whilst Paul Reid should be fit enough to keep his place in defence after having stitches removed from a head wound.
Howard will fight it out with Antony Kay for the central midfield berth alongside Stephen McPhail, Martin Devaney is available despite picking up five bookings as the rulings from March means he doesn’t serve a suspension.
New signings Anthony McParland and Kyle Nix could play some part today.
Probable Line-Up:
Nick Colgan
Paul Heckingbottom
Paul Reid
Matt Carbon
Neil Austin
Martin Devaney
Stephen McPhail
Antony Kay/Brian Howard
Chris Shuker
Marc Richards
Daniel Nardiello
Barnsley will be in for a battle if they are to take all 3 points from Griffin Park as they have only won there FOUR times, the last victory coming in October 2002, the last time the Reds tasted victory against The Bees was in the return fixture that season in April 2003 when a last minute goal from Isaiah Rankin (now at Brentford) ensured The Reds stayed in Division Two, ( exactly 7 years to the day of the historic victory over Bradford which put Barnsley in the Premiership).
The last 3 encounters between the two sides have been draws and with both sides looking for automatic promotion this game could define both teams’ chances of finishing in the top two or have to go through the nerve-shredding play-offs.
Previously this season Barnsley and Brentford shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Oakwell in front of 7,462 back in August which included an atrocious performance from referee Brian Curson.
A Michael Turner own goal put Barnsley in front after 24 minutes but within a minute Brentford were level through Lloyd Owusu and despite Barnsley laying siege to the Brentford goal they couldn’t force a winner. Brentford were top after that game, Barnsley 13th but both teams now look towards the top end of the table and Championship football next season.
Last 6 Brentford v Barnsley results:
27/8/05 Barnsley 1-1 Brentford (League One)
25/1/05 Brentford 1-1 Barnsley (League One)
9/10/04 Barnsley 0-0 Brentford (League One)
17/4/04 Barnsley 0-2 Brentford (Division Two)
1/11/03 Brentford 1-0 Barnsley (Division Two)
26/4/03 Barnsley 1-0 Brentford (Division Two)
Overall Record:
Brentford Wins: 22
Barnsley Wins: 11
Draws: 19
Brentford Goals: 81
Barnsley Goals: 50
Last 6 2005/2006 results:
Brentford:
7/3/06 Yeovil 1-2 Brentford (League One)
28/2/06 Doncaster 0-0 Brentford (League One)
25/2/06 Brentford 0-1 Port Vale (League One)
18/2/06 Charlton 3-1 Brentford (FA Cup)
14/2/06 Brentford 2-0 Southend (League One)
11/2/06 Bristol City 0-1 Brentford (League One)
W:3 D:1 L:2 F:6 A:5 GD:+1 Points:10
Barnsley:
4/3/06 Barnsley 2-2 Swansea City (League One)
28/2/06 Bournemouth 1-1 Barnsley (League One)
25/2/06 Barnsley 1-0 Colchester (League One)
18/2/06 Tranmere 0-1 Barnsley (League One)
14/2/06 Barnsley 1-1 Port Vale (League One)
11/1/06 Doncaster 2-0 Barnsley (League One)
W:3 D:3 L:1 F:6 A:6 GD:0 Points:9
Brentford are currently 2nd in League One with 61 points from 34 games, one point above Barnsley who lie 4th with 60 points from 36 games.