Team News:
Reds boss Mark Robins has a trio of hamstring problems to contend with before naming his side to face one of the Championship’s most difficult to beat sides Reading this weekend.
Centre backs Jason Shackell and Paul McShane and striker Danny Haynes all suffered hamstring problems during the 2-2 draw at Cardiff last Sunday, with Haynes succumbing to the problem after just 12 minutes. Robins hopes all three will be fit for this weekend but Haynes may have to settle for a place on the bench after his replacement in Wales- Andy Gray notched two goals after coming on.
Likely Lineup:
Luke Steele
Matt Hill
Jason Shackell
Paul McShane
Kieran Trippier
Diego Arismendi
Jacob Mellis
Nathan Doyle
Jay McEveley
Andy Gray
Marlon Harewood
Head To Head:
Barnsley 1-3 Reading Match Report 29/8/09
Barnsley 0-1 Reading Match Report 6/12/08
Last Six Barnsley v Reading results:
25/9/10 Reading 3-0 Barnsley (Championship)
30/1/10 Reading 1-0 Barnsley (Championship)
29/8/09 Barnsley 1-3 Reading (Championship)
25/8/09 Reading 1-2 Barnsley (League Cup)
18/4/09 Reading 0-0 Barnsley (Championship)
6/12/08 Barnsley 0-1 Reading (Championship)
Overall Record:
Barnsley Wins: 24
Reading Wins: 25
Draws: 16
Barnsley Goals: 96
Reading Goals: 102
At Oakwell:
Barnsley Wins: 19
Reading Wins: 8
Draws: 5
Barnsley Goals: 67
Reading Goals: 43
This Season:
Last six 2010-2011 results:
Barnsley:
13/3/11 Cardiff 2-2 Barnsley (Championship)
8/3/11 Barnsley 2-1 Scunthorpe (Championship)
5/3/11 Derby 0-0 Barnsley (Championship)
26/2/11 Barnsley 0-2 Norwich (Championship)
22/2/11 Leeds 3-3 Barnsley (Championship)
19/2/11 Portsmouth 1-0 Barnsley (Championship)
W: 1 D: 3 L: 2 F: 7 A: 9 GD: -2 Points: 6
Reading:
13/3/11 Manchester City 1-0 Reading (FA Cup)
8/3/11 Ipswich 1-3 Reading (Championship)
5/3/11 Reading 5-2 Middlesbrough (Championship)
1/3/11 Everton 0-1 Reading (FA Cup)
26/2/11 Crystal Palace 3-3 Reading (Championship)
22/2/11 Reading 2-1 Millwall (Championship)
W:4 D:1 L:1 F:14 A:8 GD:6 Points: 10
Interesting Stats:
Barnsley are searching for their first league victory over the Royals in five attempts, and they have lost four of those. Their only success this millennium came in a 2-1 Carling Cup success at the Madejski Stadium back in August 2009. Amazingly they would then lose 3-1 at home to Reading in the league just four days later, a result that cost Simon Davey his job as manager.
Barnsley have not tasted home success against Reading since a 3-0 win in August 1996. They would also defeat the Royals 2-1 away from home on the way to promotion to the Premier League.
Barnsley have won just four times in 2011 so far out of 15 matches but are unbeaten in four out of the last five- three of those being draws. Sunday’s 2-2 stalemate at Cardiff was the 100th point gained under Mark Robins management.
Reading have proved to be one of the toughest sides to beat in the Championship this season having lost just eight of their 36 matches- the lowest total outside the top six and only bettered by QPR, Norwich and Nottingham Forest. Draws have been their Achilles heel and their 15 stalemates is the joint highest in the top five leagues! They have though won four of their last six games and last weekend’s 1-0 FA Cup reverse at Manchester City ended a run of three straight victories. They are also unbeaten in their last six league games stretching back to a 2-1 reverse at Norwich in mid February.
Reading are yet to lose a Championship game this season in which they have taken the lead. More interesting is the fact that whilst the Royals have scored more goals in the final ten minutes of games this season than any other team (16), Barnsley have conceded the most in that period (15)
Barnsley also boast 17 different goal-scorers in the Championship this season- the most in the division.
Mad Sites
Official Site:
Other Fixtures:
Bristol City v Burnley, 15:00
Crystal Palace v Derby, 15:00
Ipswich v Scunthorpe, 15:00
Leicester v Portsmouth, 15:00
Middlesbrough v Watford, 15:00
Swansea v Nott'm Forest, 15:00