Barnsley FC’s Great FA Cup Run

GWL Video clip Score: 5 / 5

HILL LOOKING FORWARDS

Barnsley manager Keith Hill has said that he is already looking forward to the next season. Barnsley finished the regular season of the Championship in the 21st position – just a few points ahead of the relegation zone. Barnsley could have been relegated from the Championship this season had it not been for the points deduction for Portsmouth. Portsmouth were deducted 10 points, which ultimately helped Barnsley save their Championship status for one more season. As a result of this close escape, Keith Hill has said that he cannot wait for the next season to start. Barnsley are expected to make significant changes to the playing squad in the summer in order to be more competitive.

Barnsley’s final match of the season saw them draw against Brighton. The 0-0 draw between the two clubs characterised the entire season for Barnsley according to manager Keith Hill. He said that there was an end of the season feeling to the game. Brighton had a number of chances in the match, but the excellent goalkeeping by Barnsley’s David Button meant that they had to be satisfied with a point. Despite a promising start to the Championship season, Brighton managed only a 10th place finish in the Championship season.

“As a manager, the job continues throughout the summer. There’s no real time off. When you consider the calibre of the team coming up and the ones staying in the division, it’s getting increasingly difficult for clubs like Barnsley in the Championship. They’re basically creating a Premier League two and it’s a shame for Barnsley because it’s an honest club. I’m potentially looking to make four or five permanent signings,” Keith Hill said after the match. Portsmouth finished eight points behind Barnsley in the table, and they would have overtaken them had it not been for the points deduction.

Leicester city vs Barnsley FC 5.2.11 Kyle Naughton’s goal

GWL Video clip Score: five / five

BARNSLEY GET NOUBLE ON LOAN

Barnsley have secured the signing of West Ham United striker Frank Nouble on a loan deal. This would massively strengthen the team given that they have been struggling for goals in recent weeks.

It would also help the player, who has found limited first-team opportunities under Sam Allardyce. Frank Nouble arrived from Chelsea a few seasons ago on a free transfer, although West Ham United were made to pay the compensation fee as he was less than 18 years old before he signed his professional contract with West Ham. He was expected to be a major part of the West Ham United squad that was aiming promotion under Sam Allardyce.

One of the main reasons for many people to consider Frank Nouble a perfect fit under Sam Allardyce was his physical presence upfront. However, the significant form shown by Carlton Cole has meant that the opportunities for Frank Nouble in the first team has been limited. There have been a lot of rumours in recent weeks that West Ham would consider a loan deal if the right opportunity arises. It seems that Barnsley’s offer for the striker has been too good to turn down by West Ham after they have agreed a one-month loan deal.

“It was too good an opportunity to turn down. Nouble gives us options whether it’s starting, or off the bench, and something unpredictable with respect to the opposition,” Manager Keith Hill told the BBC in a recent interview. Barnsley are currently struggling to score goals. Frank Nouble has arrived at a time when Barnsley have just lost 2-0 to leaders Southampton in the latest defeat for the club. They have not managed a single win in almost a month, which has put their club under relegation trouble. Barnsley are currently 17th in the Championship table.

Barnsley FC pressconference

GWL Video clip Rating: five / five

HILL ISSUES WARNING

Barnsley manager Keith Hill has warned his side that Birmingham will prove to be a tough side to beat even without their key striker Nikola Zigic.

Zigic has been on exceptional form, scoring four goals in the Blues recent defeat of Leeds but he has been out with a knee injury since then and will not appear in this weekend’s game. Birmingham have not slowed without him though, having won seven of their last eight games and climbing to third in the Championship table.

Hill sees the scale of the challenge facing Barnsley and is aware that his defenders will have to be on top form to keep Birmingham at bay. Having conceded more goals this season than all bar two teams in the division(Ipswich and Peterborough) it will take a significant improvements on recent defensive frailties which have seen the Tykes fail to keep a clean sheet in 13 games.

Hill is frustrated by outsiders claiming a new goal scorer is the answer to Barnsley’s woes since the departure of Ricardo Vaz Te. He points out that consistently his side have scored plenty of goals but consistently conceded too many too. In the long term he is demanding a removal of the “it’s OK to concede goals mentality” as he puts it, and is considering bringing in new defenders in the future if the problem is not fixed soon.

Barnsley welcome back defenders Scott Golbourne, Jay McEvely and Jim O’Brien for the Birmingham game, giving them more options at the back should they wish to shake things up a bit. The task for one of the most generous defences in the division will be a tough one against one of the league’s most impressive attacks. Whichever way this game goes Barnsley’s record more or less guarantees one thing. There will almost certainly be goals.