Barnsley are looking for their first goal and first points in five games while Posh look for their first away win of 2012.
Barnsley -Vs- Peterborough United
Venue: Oakwell
Date: 24th March, 2012
Kick-off: 3pm
Peterborough United travel to Oakwell looking for their first away win of 2012 while Barnsley have failed to score in each of their last four matches and are desperate to halt their slide down the table. The last time the tykes lost five in a row was in September 2009.
Posh are in 17th place in the npower Championship, one place and one point ahead of Barnsley, although Posh have one game in hand on the Tykes.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley
The Tykes have just signed 22 year old Kallum Higginbottom on loan from Huddersfield Town until the end of the season and could go straight into the squad.
Former Posh keeper Luke Steele is out for 2 to 3 weeks with a hernia so will miss the clash but Barnsley have brought in Tottenham Hotspur keeper David Button to fill the gap between the sticks.
Lee Collins and Michael Tonge are both pushing for a starting place as manager Keith Hill looks to select an experienced side in an attempt to get back to winning ways.
Peterborough United
Posh boss Darren Ferguson has no new injury concerns and is expected to name an unchanged side for the third match running following their excellent win over promotion chasing Reading.
With no new recruits added before the loan deadline shut on Thursday, Shaun Brisley will again partner Gaby Zakuani in central defence with Craig Alcock and Tommy Rowe either side of them.
Tyrone Barnett will continue his blossoming partnership with Paul Taylor up front leaving McCann, Frecklington, Boyd and Tomlin to form the midfield diamond.
Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
Jones
Alcock, Brisley, Zakuani, Rowe
McCann
Frecklington Boyd
Tomlin
Taylor, Barnett
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Barnsley
Tykes boss Keith Hill said: “I can`t ask any more from the players, but we just have to accept that things are going against us at the moment.
“It`s very hard, but we know football can be very unforgiving and can be very harsh on you. It can be cruel.
“I don`t like it. I can`t stand it, but I know I will be successful in the future. I know that 100 per cent.
“The harsh realities are that we`re in a relegation fight. We need to collectively fight against that tide and change it.
“When you get knocked down it`s how you respond when you stand up again. We`re looking for people to fight and to show character.
“In these times of pressure we find out who are up to the challenges. When you`re winning everybody`s your friend, but in times of pressure you find out about the people you`re working for and with.
“But this is a test I was prepared to take on. The players knew it was a test at the beginning of the season.”
Peterborough United
Fergie said “Barnsley have had a little bit of a wobble in form, but they are a good side and like to play football the right way. They have a lot of talented players as they showed in the win at London Road earlier in the campaign. They`ve had a decent season overall. Keith Hill and David Flitcroft have done a good job and they will have Barnsley well-organised and motivated.
“They play a bit like us really. They like to keep possession, but I will stress to my players the importance of starting well.
“If we can get in front they will most likely become very nervous because they`ve not been winning games, especially at home.
“They are only a point behind us, but because we are in form and they are not, the confidence my players have might make all the difference.”
STATS & FACTS
Having recently chalked up their 900th League win, Tuesdays win over Reading gave Darren Ferguson his 100th win in charge of Posh.
Head to Head statistics between these two teams can be found HERE.
A form guide to Barnsley and Posh can be found HERE.
HOTSHOTS
Barnsley
11 – Craig Davies
8 – Andy Gray
5 – Jacob Butterfield
4 – Matty Done
Peterborough United
17 – Barnett (13 for Crawley)
10 – Taylor
8 – McCann
8 – Sinclair
7 – Tomlin
7 – Boyd
PREDICTION
The Tykes will be desperate to get back to winning ways and to ensure their Championship survival but at the same time, Posh will want to continue their fine form and record their first away win of the year.
If Posh can reproduce the form of the last three games then they should have a very good chance of winning.
Vital Posh predicts a victory for Posh: Tykes 1 – 3 Posh.
REFEREE
Andy HAINES takes charge of this clash. Find out all his stats and when he has refereed Barnsley and Posh before HERE.
He will be assisted by Philip Dermott and Amy Fearn.
The fourth official is Jason Whiteley.
UP THE POSH Follow me on Twitter: @mwl1967
Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
