Barnsley v Preston Preview

Posted on | August 17, 2009 | No Comments

These two sides have started the season in indifferent fashion, with Barnsley recording a draw and a defeat while Preston have two draws to their name. Still, both managers will want improvement on their current league positions as the season grows older, with the Tykes currently sat in 21^st position while the Lilywhites are placed in 11^th.

Barnsley’s season has been pretty inconsistent really, with Simon Davey’s men recording a draw, a win and then a defeat. However, with that victory coming in the Carling Cup, it means the Oakwell outfit have just one point to their name so far. In their last game they were well and truly outplayed at home to Coventry and that upset many supporters, who are hoping for a significantly higher league position this term. However, at least new players are starting to filter into the club. Adam Hammill joined on a three year deal early last week while Icelandic international Emil Hallfredsson joined on a season long loan on Friday. With the club also attempting to seal a deal for striker Andy Gray, supporters will be hoping that these new recruits can help improve their clubs fortunes.

Preston have started a little more solid having recorded two league draws and a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Morecambe in the Carling Cup. Having reached the play offs last season manager Alan Irvine will definitely see this as a game that his side can get their first league victory in. Many pundits are still unsure over the Lilywhites ambitions for this campaign though having spent very little in the transfer market. Irvine has seen numerous players leave the club but he’s instead opted to work with a small squad and just bring the two new recruits in. Should North End be able to build on their two league draws and notch a victory against the Tykes, Irvine’s side will have managed five points from the opening nine which is certainly an impressive tally.

Both teams have selection problems heading into this one. Following his red card at the weekend, Rob Kozluk will sit this one out through suspension while Hugo Colace is another absentee through a calf injury. Darren Moore is penciled in for a late fitness test, although it’s thought that the former West Brom man will be declared fit enough to play. Elsewhere, new signing Emil Hallfredsson probably won’t feature due to problems with his international clearance. The visitors just have the two problems with Ross Wallace a doubt through a knee strain while defender Youl Mawene has a hamstring injury. Both are set for fitness tests ahead of the game.

Simon Davey was clearly not happy with his side’s display against Coventry and it sounds as though he’s ready to ring the changes. Expect an improvement from the Tykes, but you can’t forget that Preston are a very physical side and one that’s hard to break down. With that, we’ll go for the 1-1 draw.

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