Team News
New signing Daniel (or Danijel as it is now being spelt) Bogdanovic faces a race against time to be able to make his debut against Ipswich tonight. Barnsley are still waiting for his international clearance to arrive from Sofia. Martin Devaney returns to the squad after missing the last ten matches with ankle trouble. Hugo Colace remains sidelined with a foot injury whilst captain Stephen Foster is out after his hernia operation.
Likely Line-Up:
Heinz Muller
Marciano Van Homoet
Dennis Souza
Darren Moore
Rob Kozluk
Bobby Hassell
Anderson De Silva
Diego Leon
Jamal Campbell-Ryce
Jon Macken
Maceo Rigters/ Danijel Bogdanovic
Head to Head
Barnsley have won both of their home meetings with Ipswich since returning to the Championship in 2006. A good record as they had lost the three previous.
In Simon Davey's first match as caretaker manager, a last minute strike from debutant Grant McCann earned The Reds a 1-0 success and only their second win in 11 games in November 2006. Last season the Reds followed up that stunning FA Cup success over Chelsea by defeating Ipswich 4-1 at Oakwell, three days later. Brian Howard scored a hat-trick with Jon Macken also on target after Pablo Counago had given Ipswich the lead. This win also ended a barren sequence as it was The Reds first victory in six games. Seeing as Barnsley are goal-less and win-less in 2009 so far another victory tonight would be greatly appreciated!
Probably the most famous game between these two sides was the last ever club game at the old Wembley Stadium in May 2000 when the two sides met in the Division One Play-Off Final. Despite Craig Hignett giving Barnsley the lead they would eventually lose 4-2. Darren Barnard missed a penalty for The Reds on the stroke of half-time whilst the game was 1-1.
It is also a good thing that the match is being played at Oakwell, as The Reds have won just twice at Portman Road and were humbled 3-0 there back in September, when Reuben Noble-Lazarus became the youngest ever Football League player. Despite their poor run down in Suffolk, Barnsley's credible 0-0 draw there last season halted a fantastic run for Ipswich, as before this game they had won their previous 12 home games which including a 5-1 thumping of Barnsley.
Barnsley 4-1 Ipswich Match Report 11/3/08
Barnsley 1-0 Ipswich Match Report 25/11/06
Last six Barnsley v Ipswich Results:
30/9/08 Ipswich 3-0 Barnsley (Championship)
11/3/08 Barnsley 4-1 Ipswich (Championship)
1/12/07 Ipswich 0-0 Barnsley (Championship)
7/4/07 Ipswich 5-1 Barnsley (Championship)
25/11/06 Barnsley 1-0 Ipswich (Championship)
29/5/00 Ipswich 4-2 Barnsley (Division One Play-Off Final)
Overall Record:
Barnsley Wins: 11
Ipswich Wins: 17
Draws: 4
Barnsley Goals: 44
Ipswich Goals: 54
At Oakwell:
Barnsley Wins: 9
Ipswich Wins: 5
Draws: 1
Barnsley Goals: 31
Ipswich Goals: 16
This Season
It's been a pretty up and down season for Jim Magilton's boys this year with the team hovering so close to the play-off race yet also so far away. Their assault on the top six has been hindered by an inconsistent record in which they have won 10, drawn 9 and lost 9 this season- a stat that tells its own story. Town have never won more than two games in a row this season, but have shown their credentials by gaining fine wins at Burnley and Plymouth. Indeed only Ipswich, Barnsley and Swansea have won at Burnley this season. Their downfall has been defeats to teams like rock bottom Charlton- The Addicks last league victory was against Ipswich in October. They have also lost to Doncaster- that victory in November was Donny's first in 13 matches. Indeed Ipswich have lost to three of the current bottom four teams in the division and drew with the other one- Southampton. To sum up Ipswich's inconsistencies, in their last league outing they inflicted on Crystal Palace only their third dome defeat of the season- and heaviest since August 1994 by triumphing 4-1.
At the weekend Town saw their FA Cup run ended by a 3-1 defeat at Chelsea.
Barnsley hope Ipswich's poor form against the struggling sides will help them tonight as The Reds go in search of their first goal, point and win of 2009. 2008 ended on a high with seven points gained against Plymouth, Burnley and Preston but the new year has started with defeats to West Ham, Southampton and Norwich. If The Reds lose tonight it will equal their worst run of the season of four straight defeats.
Last Six Results:
Barnsley:
17/1/09 Norwich 4-0 Barnsley (Championship)
10/1/09 Barnsley 0-1 Southampton (Championship)
3/1/09 West Ham 3-0 Barnsley (FA Cup)
28/12/08 Barnsley 1-1 Preston (Championship)
26/12/08 Burnley 1-2 Barnsley (Championship)
20/12/08 Barnsley 2-0 Plymouth (Championship)
W:2 D:1 L:3 F:5 A:10 GD:-5 Points:7
Ipswich:
24/1/09 Chelsea 3-1 Ipswich (FA Cup)
17/1/09 Crystal Palace 1-4 Ipswich (Championship)
10/1/09 Ipswich 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday (Championship)
3/1/09 Ipswich 3-0 Chesterfield (FA Cup)
28/12/08 Derby 0-1 Ipswich (Championship)
26/12/08 Ipswich 0-1 Birmingham (Championship)
W:3 D:1 L:2 F:10 A:6 GD:+4 Points:5
Barnsley lie 17th in the Coca-Cola Championship with 32 points from 28 games.
Ipswich lie 11th in the Coca-Cola Championship with 39 points from 28 games.
Barnsley could go as high as 15th with victory whilst Ipswich could go as high as 8th.
Mad Sites:
Official Sites:
Other Fixtures:
Tuesday, 27th January 2009
Birmingham v Derby, 19:45
Charlton v Crystal Palace, 19:45
Norwich v Southampton, 19:45
Nottm Forest v Sheff Wed, 19:45
Plymouth v Bristol City, 19:45
Reading v Wolverhampton, 20:00
Wednesday, 28 January 2009