PREVIEW: Oldham Athletic Vs. Barnsley

Brian Talbot will have learnt a lot from the Colchester game and as this will be the first team he has picked expect changes in the lineup. Tuesday night’s opponents make the short journey over the Pennines from Barnsley. Currently 11^th The Tykes who have been going strong in the league find their recent form woeful. Their last success came in early January against Blackpool but since then they have drawn 4 and lost 4 including a defeat to local rivals Sheffield Wednesday so they will be fighting hard to restore some pride for their fans. Both sides will be keen to end their winless runs. Barnsley too have just appointed a new manager, Gudjon Thordarsson was relieved of his duties following a poor run of form which they are still in under new manager Paul Hart who was recently sacked at Nottingham Forest.

Previous Match

In the last game between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw. Chris Lumsdon broke the deadlock on 61 minutes only for Scott Vernon to deservedly equalise five minutes later. Oldham escaped with the point after Dean Gorre hit a penalty against the bar in injury time in the second half. The performance from an inexperienced Oldham side that night showed immense promise.

Lineups

Barnsley: Ilic, Crooks, Gallimore, Handyside, Ireland, Betsy, Lumsdon, Hayward, Kay, Gorre, Fallon
Subs: Flinders, Austin, O’Callaghan, Mulligan, Gibbs

Oldham Athletic: Pogliacomi, Clegg, Holden, Hall, J.Sheridan, Murray, Zola, Eyre, Vernon, Eyres
Subs: Collin, D.Sheridan, Antoine-Curier, Killen, Cooksey

Team News

Ernie Cooksey is now back from suspension and he joins the squad. Will Haining has also recovered from knee ligament problems and rejoins the squad. There was no injuries or suspensions starting after the Colchester game so Hall, Appleby, Grange and Beherall are all still out with injuries. Talbot has hinted that Wes Wilkinson may play some part in the game as he has pace something he has noted we are lacking currently

Oldham Squad: Pogliacomi, Westwood, Clegg, Holden, Owen, Griffin, Eyre, Murray, Sheridan, Boshell, Cooksey, Eyres, Zola, Vernon, Killen, Tierney, Schumacher, Roca, Fleming, Wilkinson, Haining

Barnsley have a number of doubts in their squad for the game. Michael Boulding and Robbie Williams are doubtful after picking up knocks in their previous game. Antony Kay is also a doubt after receiving an eye injury although it looks likely he will be fit. Barnsley do have a number of players Dean Gorre, Tony Gallimore, Lee Crooks, Brian O'Callaghan and Garry Monk will be out with injury. Craig Ireland and Simon Stallard are available after completing their suspensions and Jacob Burns and Chris Lumsdon could come into contention for a starting spot after recovering from injuries recently.

Barnsley Squad: Beresford, Austin, Handyside, Murphy, Williams, Betsy, Hayward, Neil, Kay, Nardiello, Boulding, Lumsdon, Burns, Rocastle, Alcock, Davies, Stallard, Ireland

Oldham have announced a promotion for the Barnsley game. If you have a season ticket and your surname begins with K to Z you can take a friend with you for free if you go in the Rochdale Road End. You need to produce Voucher J at the gate. So if you know of someone who doesn’t normally go or someone who hasn’t gone before then invite them along, it could help the club in the long term.