Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Sixteen: Barnsley v Sheffield United

Last updated : 09 November 2009 By Rob Miles (Barnsley Boy)

Team News

Barnsley have just one absentee for this eagerly anticipated South Yorkshire derby with Sheffield United. Captain Stephen Foster picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 2-1 win at Peterborough last weekend so suffers a one match suspension. This should see full back Ryan Shotton come across into the centre- where he has played before for Stoke Reserves- and either Bobby Hassell or ex Blade Rob Kozluk will slot in at right back. If Hassell plays it will be his first appearance since September. Emil Hallfredsson should also be fit after missing the Peterborough game but manager Mark Robins could stick with a winning midfield.

 Iain Hume, facing United for the first time since his fractured skull will probably be on the bench.

 Likely Lineup:

 Luke Steele

 Carl Dickinson

 Darren Moore

 Ryan Shotton

 Bobby Hassell/ Rob Kozluk

 Anderson De Silva

 Hugo Colace

 Nathan Doyle

 Adam Hammill

 Jon Macken

 Daniel Bogdanovic

 Head To Head

 Sheffield United have certainly got the Indian sign over Barnsley since The Reds returned to the Championship in 2006- winning all four meetings in that time. Before this The Reds were unbeaten against in the Blades in ten meetings, five of which were draws. No such luck recently however. In 2007-2008, The Blades won 1-0 home and away whilst last season saw two 2-1 victories for Kevin Blackwell’s side including that infamous Oakwell meeting exactly a year ago yesterday which as well as Hume’s injury saw Ugo Ehiogu and Anderson De Silva sent off for fighting. The Blades have a decent record at Oakwell winning ten of the 29 meetings compared with Barnsley’s eight and are unbeaten at Oakwell since November 1999.

 Sheffield United 2-1 Barnsley Match Report 7/4/09

 Barnsley 1-2 Sheffield United Match Report 8/11/08

 Barnsley 0-1 Sheffield United Match Report 22/3/08

 Overall Record:

 Barnsley Wins: 14

 Sheffield United Wins: 25

 Draws: 19

 Barnsley Goals: 63

 Sheffield United Goals: 94

 At Oakwell:

 Barnsley Wins: 8

 Sheffield United Wins: 10

 Draws: 11

 Barnsley Goals: 35

 Sheffield United Goals: 42

 This Season

 After missing out on promotion to the Premier League in the Play-Off Final last season it was expected Sheffield United would make another big push to return to the big time. That may still happen but they seem to currently be suffering from last season’s exertions. The Blades started the season in good form and were unbeaten in their first six games. A number of injuries have taken their toll however (they go into tonight’s game missing at least ELEVEN first team players) and the Blades are currently on their worst run for nine years having lost their last four games and they haven’t won in seven attempts. They have not lost five on the bounce since the start of the 1995-1996 season. This terrible run has left them 10 points off the play-off places.

 Barnsley are looking for only their third home league win of the season, and have lost four of their seven home matches- although only one has come under Robins stewardship. If The Reds avoid defeat tonight they will become the highest placed team in Yorkshire, leapfrogging both Sheffield United and Wednesday.

Last six 2009-2010 Results

 Barnsley:

 31/10/09 Peterborough 1-2 Barnsley (Championship)

 27/10/09 Barnsley 0-2 Manchester United (League Cup)

 24/10/09 Barnsley 2-3 Bristol City (Championship)

 20/10/09 Nottingham Forest 1-0 Barnsley (Championship)

17/10/09 Doncaster 0-1 Barnsley (Championship)

3/10/09 Barnsley 2-1 Ipswich (Championship)

W: 3 D: 0 L: 3 F: 7 A: 8 GD: -1 Points: 9

 Sheffield United:

 2/11/09 Sheffield United 0-1 Newcastle (Championship)

 24/10/09 Sheffield United 3-4 Cardiff (Championship)

 20/10/09 Blackpool 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)

 17/10/09 Scunthorpe 3-1 Sheffield United (Championship)

 3/10/09 Sheffield United 1-1 Doncaster (Championship)

 29/9/09 Sheffield United 3-3 Ipswich (Championship)

 W:0 D:2 L:4 F:8 A:15 GD:-7 Points:2

 Barnsley lie in 18th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 17 points from 15 games.

Sheffield United lie in 15th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 17 points from 15 games.

Barnsley could go as high as 14th with victory whilst Sheffield United could go as high as 14th

 Mad Sites:

 www.barnsley-mad.co.uk

 www.sheffieldunited-mad.co.uk

 Official Sites:

 www.barnsleyfc.co.uk

 www.sufc.co.uk