T'Barnsley - a look ahead

Form (last 6): W-W-D-L-W-L

2002/03 Finish: Second Division: 19th

FA Cup: First Round

League Cup: First Round

02/03 Top Scorer: Bruce Dyer – 17 [now with Watford]

02/03 Discipline: 91 yellow, 3 red

Saturday’s game at the Oakwell will pit top of the league, Barnsley, against bottom of the heap, Notts County. Although with 24 places separating the two sides and only four games played it is uncanny just how much the Tykes and the Magpies have in common.

Barnsley - a club in turmoil

After all, throughout the summer both clubs have been under the FA’s microscope following dubious takeover bids falling through after both clubs had local businessmen failing to come up with the goods at the time of asking.

Both clubs are on the back of relegation battles albeit for Barnsley they were nearly sucked into the drop zone in the closing stages of the season.

And on top of that, both Barnsley and County had one of their prolific goal scorers snatched away during the close season – with Barnsley’s former striker, Bruce Dyer, leaving the club on a bosman ruling to Watford, whereas, County’s Danny Allsopp departed for Hull City for a cut-price £75k deal.

However, that is where the two club’s similarities cease with Barnsley’s form over the opening four games of the campaign being nothing short of spectacular. The Tykes’ four games have seen them go unbeaten following victories against Colchester, Brighton and Blackpool respectively and coming from behind twice to grab a share of the spoils with Bournemouth.

Craig Ireland - now with Barnsley

Craig Ireland looks set to line up against the Magpies who released the Scotsman over the summer, and since acquiring Ireland’s services Barnsley have only conceded two goals. Whilst at the other end the Tykes have already managed an impressive 6 goals – one of which came from Craig Ireland, who only managed 2 goals in 83 games for the Magpies.

Since the former caretaker boss, Glyn Hodges, stepped down from the Tykes managerial position it became the task of former Stoke City boss, Gudjohn Thordarson, to take the stricken club forward on a shoestring budget.

Thordarson who was incharge of the Potters from November 1999 right the way through to May 2002 boasts his latest stint in division two when two seasons ago he lead Stoke to Division Two play-off success. However, during the close season the Icelandic had his contract terminated by the Potters following a relegation battle that saw Stoke escape the drop on the final day of the 2002/03 camapaign.

During the Summer Thordarson managed to obtain the services of former Charlton and West Ham United goalkeeper, Sasa Ilic, as well as defenders Craig Ireland [ex-Notts], Tony Gallimore and former Stoke City defender, Peter Handyside.

Despite the undoubted loss of Bruce Dyer and with financial problems defacing Barnsley Football Club the Tykes managed to hold on to two of their other star players; Kevin Betsy and Rory Fallon.

***STAR PLAYERS***

Kevin Betsy - scored in the club's last meeting

Betsy found the net in the Magpies last meeting with Barnsley, a 3-2 victory on Boxing Day that saw Notts come back from 1-0 down, and then 2-1 to run out victors thanks to a Mark Stallard penalty and Ian Baraclough and Ian Richardson’s efforts. That goal was just one of 6 goals for the Seychelles-born-winger. The former Fulham man’s versatility will be a key factor for his popularity with his managers as the ‘tall, pacy player with huge potential’ 25 year can play out on the right flank or in a more central role up front.

Rory Fallon may well accompany Betsy up front as the New Zealand looks to add to his 29 first team run outs and seven goals from the 2002/03 campaign. The 21 year old front man is one of the fruits of the Barnsley academy scheme who was prolific at youth and reserve levels and looks to extend his reputation beyond second string football under the managerial guidance of Thordarson.