BARNSLEY F.C. v WATFORD F.C. Venue: Oakwell Date : 16 March 2013 Barnsley take on Watford at Oakwell, with Watford sitting in 3rd and Barnsley in 21st in the league. We are now at the business end of the season and both teams will be battling for points. Barnsley sit just above the relegation zone and will obviously be fighting for their survival whereas Watford will be attempting to continue their push for promotion. Barnsley have 7 points from their last 5 league outings. Watford, stuttering of late, have 10 points from their last 5 games. Watford lost to Blackpool 1-2 in their last match and Zola uncharacteristically commented - "Today he's (the ref) made a difference and I feel so upset, not because of him but because of my players, because they didn't deserve to lose a game like this." Still, Watford lost and we need to get back on track. Barnsley beat Brighton 2-1 last time out with Flitcroft saying - "I am delighted because the game plan we set out has worked. We didn't let them play with any freedom or fluidity and I don't think any of their players would have enjoyed playing here." Which shows Barnsley can still cut it despite their league position. The referee for this one will be Tony Bates. The longest serving ref in the football league, this season he's given 33 yellows, 2 second yellows, 2 reds and 3 penalties. Which all sounds pretty good, until you realise he's done that in just 9 matches. Let's hope he's not as shocking as our last two referees! TEAM NEWS TO FOLLOW: FROM ESPN: Barnsley midfielder Stephen Dawson could return to action against Watford at Oakwell. The Irishman has been sidelined since mid-January after damaging ankle ligaments, but returned to the squad as an unused substitute for the midweek win over Brighton and may be ready to end his 11-game absence. Manager David Flitcroft has no new injury or suspension worries, but faces several selection dilemmas. Jason Scotland was promoted to the starting line-up against Brighton and rewarded Flitcroft with his side's opening goal, while fellow striker Chris Dagnall stepped off the bench to convert the winning penalty. Midfielders Tomasz Cywka and Ryan Tunnicliffe, on loan from Manchester United, striker Marlon Harewood and defender Bobby Hassell are all pushing for recalls. The Reds clinched their first win in four league games on Tuesday night to climb out of the bottom three. Watford remain without Almen Abdi and Manuel Almunia for the trip but Nathaniel Chalobah and Fitz Hall return to provide a timely boost. Influential midfielder Abdi picked up a groin strain in the warm-up prior to last weekend's surprise 2-1 home defeat to Blackpool and will again miss out at Oakwell. Goalkeeper Almunia, meanwhile, has missed the last three games with his hamstring injury and continues to sit out ahead of the forthcoming international break. On-loan Chelsea midfielder Chalobah was also a big miss against the Seasiders last Saturday but he has shrugged off his hamstring problem and is set to go straight back into boss Gianfranco Zola's starting XI. Defender Fitz Hall is another player who has overcome a hamstring complaint but his lengthy spell on the sidelines means he is unlikely to be thrown immediately back in against Barnsley. Neuton (dislocated shoulder), Tommie Hoban (ankle) and John Eustace (back) continue to miss out. ENJOY THE GAME > COMMENTS WELCOME > COYH COYH COYH !!
for the thread. I think Watford will get their winning way back but the match will be difficult. Barnsley have beaten Brighton and Hove Albion who are not quite as good as Watford at the moment and that will encourage them for a more difficult test.
The other weekend's Championship fixtures are as follows: Sat 16 Mar 2013 Charlton v Millwall 12:30 Leeds United v Huddersfield 12:30 Blackpool v Peterborough 15:00 Hull v Nottm Forest 15:00 Ipswich v Bolton 15:00 Middlesbrough v Birmingham 15:00 Sheff Wed v Cardiff 15:00 Wolves v Bristol City 15:00 Derby v Leicester 17:20 Sun 17 Mar 2013 Brighton v Crystal Palace 12:00 Blackburn v Burnley 12:30
Can but hope. We need to get back to winning ways! This is another tough test, that the Championship throws at everyone on a weekly basis !!
TBF this is def plausible however I cant see Hull losing to Forest (I just dont think Forest are that good and have been fortunate with 1 or 3 refereeing decisions recently), I feel S Wed are favourites against Cardiff and Palarse are the much stronger team but perform poorly away from home so IMHO will be Draw Home win Draw I think we will either get a point or give Barnsley a tonking 3-4 nil. Hope its the latter but fear it may be the former.
nice one Mex thank you! I am loathe to try and call it now! lol...who knows what the heck will happen! Still, though their manager seems to think they can stop free flowing football, our team will be too talented for them, and we're going to bring the 3 points home...with a 1-3 scoreline
Poet-in-residence at Barnsley FC indeed - with the following wise words for us all: So hereâs my advice: assume theyâll lose When youâve sung the Anthem, sing the blues Pretend youâre watching Rochdale, Barnsley Peterborough Pompey Hull or Bury; 'Cos footballâs up and down like a channel ferry And youâre sometimes miserable and sometimes merry If you donât build âem up you canât knock âem down And if your goalie's a fool and your striker's a clown And your midfieldâs toiling and your managerâs thick And Itâs not too much like 66... Expect nothing. Expect nothing. Thatâs McMillanâs Law Then youâll be really happy with a nil-nil draw... Just not this weekend I hope!
If Bauben plays and Derek Payne is the commentator, listen out for some hilarious mis-pronunciations. Del-boy always call Bauben "Bourbon". Half man, half biscuit?
I think the teams going to come out with a real strong performance after the disappointment of Blackpool. I also think that both Deeney and Vydra will be back on the score sheet. If Hall does come straight back in to the team I can also see a clean sheet for the first time in a while. So I'm going for 0-3 win for the orns!!
A potential banana skin IMO the nomination for manager of the month I have a horrible feeling about this one, but I am willing to be proved wrong
That made me chuckle, Good old Fred! Perhaps he'll make some other biscuit related gaffs? Ritz Hall Tommie Hobnob Nathaniel Chocolatebar
We've beaten the televised games curse, so just need to tick Manager of the Month curse off of the list tomorrow I'm still feeling positive for tomorrow despite all of the omens. COYH!!!
