Barnsley vs Derby Preview
Posted on | August 29, 2008 | No Comments
This game may not seem the most glamorous on paper, yet the result could have huge implications for one side. Derby manager Paul Jewell is under an immense amount of pressure having not masterminded a league win in his nine month tenure, while Tykes boss Simon Davey also has his position under threat after seeing his side lose all four of their opening games.
Despite Barnsley’s dismal start, Davey believes performances have been encouraging and it won’t be long before his side thrash someone. You could certainly have some sympathy for Welsh-born Davey, with umpteen key players missing and The Tykes having something of a very tricky start. They’ve been forced to play promotion favourites QPR and Birmingham as well as a Coventry City side who are also aiming for big things this season. When you combine that with the fact that the likes of Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Heinz Muller, Anderson de Silva, Hugo Colace and Maceo Rigters have all been unavailable, it’s no wonder that Barnsley have found it difficult. However, there’s growing concern within the Reds camp and a lot of fans have already turned against Davey – so time will tell whether or not the players will be up to backing their manager.
As for Derby, they’ve had a dreadful start as well. Paul Jewell brought no fewer than eleven players in during the summer and with The Rams only just coming down from the Premiership, their fans must surely have been hoping they could have launched a bid to bounce back automatically. However, Jewell’s side have only taken one point so far this season with that coming after a lucky 1-1 draw at Bristol City, where it has to be said they were second best throughout. They lost to relegation favourites Southampton and Doncaster and with Jewell still yet to record a league win, the pressure is mounting. He’s got a talented squad to choose from with the likes of Martin Albrechtsen, Rob Hulse, Paul Green and Kris Commons arriving in the summer, yet it’s clear that the team haven’t yet gelled. With the press reports surrounding Jewell’s future lingering about, just like for the Barnsley players, Saturday will give the Rams players a test to see whether or not they really want to succeed under their current manager.
As for team news, Barnsley will welcome back full back Marciano Van Homoet and striker Iain Hume, with the duo both completing their suspensions after red cards. Gary Teale is ineligible to play as he’s on loan from Derby, but Simon Davey does have plenty of wide players to choose from with Martin Devaney, Diego Leon and Mounir El Haimour all available. Visitors Derby don’t have many injuries although defender Tyrone Mears is unlikely to feature after breaking club rules. Paul Jewell looks set to stick with a similar squad that earned a 1-0 win at Preston midweek.
As for a prediction, it’s an extremely difficult match to gauge. On paper Derby’s squad looks far superior yet they just don’t seem to be gelling and Barnsley could capitalize here. Oakwell was something of a fortress for The Tykes last season and with Davey claiming that his side have been playing well and the results will come soon, we’ll go for a narrow home win. 2-1 Barnsley.
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