Barnsley head to the Select Car Leasing Stadium knowing this match is the start of a brutal, season‑defining stretch. From tomorrow’s trip to Reading until the final day at home to Stockport County on May 2, the Reds will play 24 games in just 98 days.
The intensity ramps up immediately. Between Saturday and the March international break, Barnsley face 16 league fixtures in 56 days, the same number they played across the previous 147 days since late August.
It is a relentless run that will test depth, resilience and consistency more than at any point this season, and the club will need the legs to back it up.
A signing before the weekend is not imminent but not impossible; speaking to The Chronicle’s Doug O’Kane, manager Conor Hourihane stated: “From a numbers point of view in this busy period, we will be in a decent place to have options and different formation changes.
“Hopefully that’ll be the case by this time next week when the window is coming to a close.”
The timing at least aligns with rising confidence. Hourihane’s side arrive off the back of a last‑gasp win over Blackpool and a spirited FA Cup performance against Liverpool.
January additions Owen Goodman, Eoghan O’Connell and Charlie Lennon have strengthened the squad at exactly the right moment, giving The Tykes fresh legs and competition ahead of the most congested period of the campaign.
The Reds will still be without captain Luca Connell, serving the final game of his suspension, while Fabio Jalo remains close but not quite ready.
There is positive news with Marc Roberts back in contention after a strong week of training, and Davis Keillor‑Dunn returning after illness.
With Lennon now available and the squad looking healthier, Barnsley travel with a stronger platform than they’ve had in recent weeks.
Reading, meanwhile, have stabilised under Leam Richardson and remain far stronger at home than away. They sit three points above Barnsley, though the Reds have three games in hand.
The Royals’ January business and the form of Lewis Wing and Jack Marriott make them a dangerous opponent, but Barnsley know they can hurt this side; highlighted in their 3‑2 win at Oakwell earlier this season.
Richardson spoke with respect about Barnsley’s threat, saying: “It will be a really good challenge. They are similar to ourselves and they have recruited well in my opinion.”
He also highlighted just how intense the matchup is, adding: “They have good fluency in what they do around the pitch, so it will be a good tactical game.”
