To have to wait a fortnight for your next league game after picking up a first victory in eight matches has been a frustration for Bristol Rovers with a tough trip to Premier League Ipswich Town in the FA Cup their latest outing after winning 1-0 at Cambridge United.
That cup tie was set up after a stoic defensive performance alongside some outstanding goalkeeping from Josh Griffiths away at this weekend’s visitors Barnsley saw Rovers progress on penalties at Oakwell in November.
The Tykes experienced difficulties during the first half of the season but are now on the romping sort of form you would expect from a side that have been in the play-offs in both of their campaigns at this level since relegation from the Championship in 2022 and this term is no different.
Gas legend Darrell Clarke’s side have won five of their last six League One matches which has seen the climb into fifth place. They also boast the third-best away form in the division.
New Rovers head coach Inigo Calderon is very much still getting his feet in the door in BS7 despite already taking charge of four matches in quick succession and it doesn’t get any easier having already come up against League One’s most in-form team as well as Premier League opposition.
To get the latest insight on all things Barnsley, we spoke to Barnsley Chronicle sports editor Doug O’Kane…
What’s the mood around Barnsley and amongst supporters like at the moment?
It’s a lot more positive than it was at Christmas when they had just been thrashed 4-0 at home to Leyton Orient, had only one won in eight and just two at home all season.
But that seems to have been a wake-up call because they then won at Bolton and Peterborough and at home to Wrexham and Crawley.
That put them up to fifth and in a decent position to finish in the top six for a third season in a row.
What has changed in recent weeks that has led to this excellent run of form?
Barnsley were actually playing quite well during their six-game winless run in November and December but just not getting the results due to poor finishing and some mistakes at the back.I think the Orient game, in which they were terrible, shocked them and they responded really well. The main differences have been much more clinical finishing and better game management to see wins out at the end.
Is there now more confidence from supporters in manager Darrell Clarke?
I don’t think the head coach was ever really the main culprit in many fans’ eyes. Of course there was some criticism of him but the anger seemed to be more towards the recruitment, and some of the players. But certainly four wins in a row has helped boost his popularity.
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What’s the goal for the season now? Is it just play-offs or is there a belief that Barnsley can sneak into the automatic promotion places?
It would take an incredible run to get top two. There are some strong teams up there. I’ve learned never to rule anything out but they would need to turn this mini run into almost perfect form for the rest of the season. Play-offs would be a good achievement again and they certainly have experience in them now.
Who are the players to look out for and who’s expected to miss out?
Davis Keillor-Dunn is now in double figures for the season and has five goals in six games, most of which have been really good finishes. Clarke keeps his injury news very close to his chest but, as far as we know, there are no new injuries. Defenders Josh Earl and Marc Roberts are back which is a big boost.
How do you think Barnsley will line up on Saturday?
(3-5-2): Ben Killip; Mael de Givegney, Marc Roberts, Josh Earl; Corey O’Keeffe, Adam Phillips, Luca Connell, Jon Russell, Georgie Gent; Davis Keillor-Dunn, Max Watters.