Early Reds Team News
Brazilian midfielder Anderson De Silva should come straight back into Barnsley's starting line-up after joining the club on loan for a second time on Thursday. Sam Togwell is likely to make way.
Lewin Nyatanga should also be fit to continue in defence after his groin showed no ill effects whilst playing 90 minutes for Wales against Germany. Rob Kozluk, back from illness, Could replace Dominik Werling at left back. Martin Devaney is set to face his former side.
Probable LineUp:
Heinz Muller
Stephen Foster
Dennis Souza
Lewin Nyatanga
Rob Kozluk
Jamal Campbell-Ryce
Anderson De Silva
Brian Howard ©
Martin Devaney
Istvan Ferenczi
Jon Macken
Head to Head
The Reds are set to tackle a rampant Watford side with a pretty seesaw record against them. At Oakwell, Barnsley have won nine, Watford, six with seven draws. At Vicarage Road the record reads, Watford- nine, Barnsley- six and six draws. So I think it would be best to look at the most recent meetings- way back in 2001-2002!! At Oakwell Barnsley triumphed 2-0 with goals from Bruce Dyer and a Darren Barnard penalty. However we were thumped 3-0 in the earlier away meeting. Second half goals from Smith and Helguson (2) doing the damage. Watford were to finish 14th at the end of that season, Barnsley were relegated.
Watford 3-0 Barnsley 3/11/01
Watford: Chamberlain ,Galli (Vega ,21 ) ,Issa ,Cox ,Hyde ,Vernazza ,Blondeau (Noble ,79 ) ,Stephen Hughes ,Glass ,Smith (Wooter ,89 ) ,Helguson
Subs not used: Baardsen,Noel-Williams,
Barnsley: Kevin Miller ,Mulligan (O'Callaghan ,45 ) ,Morgan ,Chettle ,Barker ,Gorre (Gallen ,65 ) ,Neil (Sand ,81 ) ,Lumsdon ,Barnard ,Dyer ,Fallon
Subs not used Marriott,Tinkler,
Bookings: Cox ,Glass (Watford) Neil (Barnsley)
Barnsley 2-0 Watford 23/3/02
Barnsley: Marriott ,Mulligan ,Chettle ,Flynn ,Gibbs ,Betsy ,Jones ,Neil ,Barnard ,Naylor ,Dyer (Sheron ,88)
Subs not used: Kevin Miller,Barker,O'Callaghan,Gorre,
Watford: Chamberlain ,Blondeau ,Cox ,Galli (Doyley ,38 ) ,Robinson ,Hyde ,Nielsen ,Mahon ,Cook (Helguson ,54 ) ,Gayle ,Noel-Williams (McNamee ,38)
Bookings: Naylor (Barnsley) Cox ,Noel-Williams ,Robinson (Watford)
Last Six Barnsley v Watford Results:
23/3/02 Barnsley 2-0 Watford (Division One)
3/11/01 Watford 3-0 Barnsley (Division One)
29/12/00 Barnsley 0-1 Watford (Division One)
19/8/00 Watford 1-0 Barnsley (Division One)
1/5/99 Barnsley 2-2 Watford (Division One)
5/12/98 Watford 0-0 Barnsley (Division One)
Overall Record:
Barnsley Wins: 15
Watford Wins: 15
Draws: 13
Barnsley Goals: 49
Watford Goals: 48
This Season:
Onto 2007-2008 and Watford, fresh from a season in the Premier League have set about getting straight back there. They sit 6 points clear at the top of the Championship having lost just twice this season. Both sides have identical home records (Won 5 Drawn 2 Lost 1) but Watford have by far the best away record in the league, even better than their home record with 6 wins 1 draw and 1 defeat. This will surely be Barnsley's biggest Oakwell test since Coventry on the opening day. Watford have won their last four on the road.
Barnsley meanwhile need their home form to keep going as three defeats on the road have left them 10th. Only Coventry have trumped at Oakwell this season and The Reds have won three out of the last four in front of their own fans.
A Win for Watford could stretch their lead at the top whilst a win for Barnsley could lift them as high as 6th.
Last 6 2007-2008 Results:
Watford:
10/11/07 Watford 2-2 Colchester (Championship)
6/11/07 Norwich 1-3 Watford (Championship)
3/10/07 Watford 0-3 West Brom (Championship)
29/10/07 Crystal Palace 0-2 Watford (Championship)
23/10/07 Coventry 0-3 Watford (Championship)
20/10/07 Watford 1-0 Hull (Championship)
W:4 D:1 L:1 F:11 A:6 GD:+5 Points:13
Barnsley:
10/11/07 Wolves 1-0 Barnsley (Championship)
5/11/07 Barnsley 2-1 Blackpool (Championship)
3/11/07 Barnsley 1-0 Preston (Championship)
27/10/07 Leicester 2-0 Barnsley (Championship)
22/10/07 Hull 3-0 Barnsley (Championship)
20/10/07 Barnsley 1-1 Burnley (Championship)
W:2 D:1 L:3 F:4 A:8 GD: -4 Points:7
Watford lie 1st in the Coca-Cola Championship with 36 points from 16 games.
Barnsley lie 10th in the Coca-Cola Championship with 23 points from 16 games.