League 1 - Barnsley vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Barnsley FC v Ipswich Town



Saturday 25th March 2023 – 15:00

Oakwell








Mike’s Pre-match Comments



This season just keeps getting better and better, week after week we think we've seen it all only for Kieran McKenna and his team of braves to churn out something even more impressive, I think I am starting to run out of superlatives for what we are being treated to this season. Heading into the game at Peterborough Utd for whatever reason I felt uneasy and lacking in confidence, it just felt like we were due a defeat, taking into account our record at Peterborough and their recent form, plus of course the importance of the occasion I saw it as a massive Banana skin, what I did not take into account was our own very impressive recent form, it is remarkable to say the least and just keeps getting better and better.

Someone asked the question on the match thread Saturday if we could remember the days when we were incapable of beating the high flyers, the times we used to bottle it and fail to turn up, I think we can all remember those days only too well, they aren't that far back in the past actually, what a difference we see now, we go to places like Bolton, Derby and Peterborough and we dismantle them with relative ease, that is how far we have progressed, add to that of the Five games we have played against Plymouth, Sheff Wed & Barnsley it is no exaggeration to say we really should have won Four of them, only for naff officials and a total fluke we would have done, I think it is safe to say we have laid that ghost to rest, we can go anywhere these days and win.

The game at Posh was nothing short of a masterclass, from the very first seconds of the game we bossed it and took the game to the hosts, our intensity and work rate was unbelievable, the closing down when not in possession was the best I have seen from us for many a long day, our passing was crisp and the running and movement off the ball had Peterborough all over the place defensively, when the defence was called upon they too showed steel and a determination not to be beaten, Christian Walton made Three crucial saves which may put a slightly false look to proceedings because make no mistake about it we were so much on top it was untrue.

The goals when they did come were beauts too, the first from Wes Burns following some great attacking play from Nathan Broadhead got the ball rolling, how we only went in One up was a bit baffling if not concerning but we need not have worried as Town continued in the same vein after the break. That man Broadhead again very much involved in the build up for Conor Chaplin to get yet another one which takes his season's tally to 26, the pass from Broadhead was exquisite and the accurracy and pace of the ball through was of Champions League quality, it was that good. If the Second was a great team effort the Third which put the icing on the cake from Freddie Ladapo was a sensational individual effort, Burns crossed into the box where Freddie took a touch with his Thigh before swiveling and rifling a shot into the far side of the goal with defenders around him, that took Freddie to 20 for the season too which is no mean feat.

As is the norm these days is that our Two main promotion rivals both ground out wins too which means we still very much have work to do but it is looking very close now and most definitely still in our own hands, assuming Wednesday were to win both their remaining games means we need Five from Three games. Barnsley (A), Exeter (H) & Fleetwood (A), a few weeks ago we would all have taken that for sure but how nice would it be not to have any pressure on us as go to tricky Fleetwood, a win Tuesday at Barnsley would all but clinch it for me and it would pave the way for us to seal promotion at home on Saturday, that really would be a carnival day if we could set it up.

Let's make no mistake about it, Barnsley away is the hardest possible game right now, except of course if we were playing ITFC !!! They will be equally aware of how tough the evening is going to be, Two teams in incredible form and with massive prizes dangling in front of them, I think even the most optimistic Barnsley fan would admit it is looking like the Play Off's for them now, only a freak set of results would see them up automatically, my advice to Barnsley is you don't want ITFC in the play off's with you so let us win, it's that simple !!!! All joking aside though, they won't, where there is hope they will go for it full tilt and it promises to be a cracker, like us the Tyke's play Football and will go for it, it suits us down to the ground and I think we have a great chance of taking a gargantuan step towards the Championship, if we can come out of the blocks like we did at Peterborough they will find it hard to contain us but on this occasion I also feel patience may need to be the key, Barnsley need a win and gaps will start to appear the longer it goes on if they are not in front, that could be the opening we will be looking for.

I don't know what to predict if I am honest, a battle between my Head and my Heart, for what it is worth I can see Sheffield Wednesday dropping points in at least One of their remaining games, should that happen a win at Home to Exeter gets the job done so in that sense I would take a point at Oakwell all day long, and that is my prediction, prove me wrong boys, go for the jugular and get the job done. COYB'S



The Opposition – Barnsley FC Honours



League


Football League Championship

Runners-up: 1996–97

Football League One

Winners (3): 1933–34, 1938–39, 1954–55
Promoted: 1980–81, 2018–19
Play–off winners (2): 2006, 2016

Football League Two

Promoted: 1967–68, 1978–79


Cup


FA Cup

Winners (1): 1911–12
Finalists: 1909–10

Football League Trophy


Winners (1): 2015–16



The Manager – Michael Duff








League Table






Form Guide




Barnsley


7 Apr Burton Albion 2 - 1 Barnsley

10 Apr Barnsley 2 - 1 Shrewsbury

15 Apr Forest Green 1 - 5 Barnsley

18 Apr Lincoln City 0 - 0 Barnsley

22 Apr Barnsley 2 - 0 Oxford Utd



Ipswich Town



07 Apr Ipswich Town 4 - 0 Wycombe

10 Apr Cheltenham 1 - 1 Ipswich Town

15 Apr Ipswich Town 6 - 0 Charlton

18 Apr Ipswich Town 2 - 1 Port Vale

22 Apr Peterborough 0 - 3 Ipswich Town






Head to Head








Match referee – Ben Toner









Barnsley FC 1 IPSWICH TOWN 2

[Ricco]

Here we go

I don't get nervous until I see the matchday thread!

[Shed on tour]

Think home advantage may just give the Tykes the edge in this one.
Barnsley 2 Town 1

[Mauswara]

I think we've just got too much quality for them and are firing on all cylinders right now.

0-2

[marko69]

Jealous of all you travelling to Oakwell for this. A game much bigger than any cup final. The excitement must be through the roof.

Great write up……. And read that idea somewhere else regarding Baaaaarnsley not wanting ITFC to be part of the Play-Offs…… very true but find it quite humourous. Would a team “chuck” a game this close to seasons end? Its a proper conundrum.

All that aside……. ITFC need to be up for it (like Posh) which Kieron will make sure the lads are. Very close fought battle, and it will be a battle. Thinking it’ll be a 1-1 draw…….. but if Walton is as switched on as he was @ London Road, could be 1-0 ITFC.
Everyone and their pension folders will be nail biting in anticipation of the 3pts.

COME ON, ITFC.

Combined caption.
Football rule book
Rule 468
Why corner flags are inportant.

Duff: “Throw in, Ref?”
Ref: “Goal kick.”

[JohnnyB]

What price a Norwood goal?

I'll go 2-2 but honestly who knows?

[marko69]

What price a Norwood goal?

Aw no. Forgot about him. Thats the sort of stuff that happens.

[Ricco]

What price a Norwood goal?

Aw no. Forgot about him. Thats the sort of stuff that happens.

Well they kept out David McGolddick for 90 minutes and he's the goals per minute best in the league this year, so fingers crossed.

[Shed on tour]

What price a Norwood goal?

Aw no. Forgot about him. Thats the sort of stuff that happens.

I will put up with the headline, ex-Town player (Norwood) scores against his old club but ex-Barnsley player (Chaplin) gets a hat-trick.

[marko69]

What price a Norwood goal?

Aw no. Forgot about him. Thats the sort of stuff that happens.

I will put up with the headline, ex-Town player (Norwood) scores against his old club but ex-Barnsley player (Chaplin) gets a hat-trick.

NICE!

[Bluemike]

What price a Norwood goal?

Aw no. Forgot about him. Thats the sort of stuff that happens.

Well they kept out David McGolddick for 90 minutes and he's the goals per minute best in the league this year, so fingers crossed.

And believe it or not Ladapo is second.

[Dazzz67]

Definitely a bum twitching match, Barnsley are going to be a handful but I think we will just have a bit too much class for them, still going to be a tight affair with a few cards shown. If we can win this then it is will make the last two games a little more enjoyable with the chance of sealing promotion against Exeter at PR.

2 -1 to the boys in blue.

Also winning it will keep up the pressure on Plymouth (and hope they do eventually fold lol) and shove two big fingers up to the Owls.

[Charnwood]

If we can score two goals I think we can win this. However only two teams, Bolton (3) and Sheffield Wednesday (2) have managed to achieve this in Barnsley’s 22 games played so far in 2023.

In fact Town are the only other League 1 team to have scored 2 goals against them this season in the 2-2 draw at Portman Road on 27 August 2022.

By comparison Town have conceded 2 goals or more 7 times this season, albeit the last time this happened was 11 February v Sheffield Wednesday. Town have also conceded fewer goals than any other team in League I 33) an honour shared with Bolton Wanderers. Meanwhile Barnsley have conceded 38.

Only marginal stats separate the two teams however in my book on current form that small margin tilts favouritism towards a narrow win for Town.

My prediction; Barnsley 0-1 Town or Barnsley 1-2 Town

[Shed on tour]

One of the important things tomorrow night is for our players to keep their cool. I have no doubt that it is going to be a red hot atmosphere, a lot of their fans are still going on about the postponement of the original fixture and the circumstances surrounding it, which imo is a load of BS. No doubt Mr Norwood will be trying to wind up a few of our players and the only thing worse than a defeat would be to lose a key player for the last 2 games due to a red card.
I have no doubt KM will be emphasising this to the players.

[Bluemike]

Play to our best and we win, their best doesn't match ours.

[marko69]

No doubt Mr Norwood will be trying to wind up a few of our players

Yes, true and like you say, hopefully Kieron warns them of this……. Don't rise to the bait.

Praying the Baaarnsley game or Exeter game seal promo……. Really do not want to be going to Fleetwood for “a result”…….. died in the wool Celtic fan Scott Brown will view Town as Rangers!
“Get out there and SNAP THEM!!”

[number 9]

Play to our best and we win, their best doesn't match ours.

Indeed. I predicted 2-2 vs Peterborough...I didn't have an inkling we'd win so emphatically. The only way we'll lose is if we have an off day. Of course, there's always a chance for a draw with both teams vying for promotion. We're better defensively and offensively than Barnsley, so if it comes down to a shoot-out we should still win comfortably. I'm hoping to catch this on ifollow tomorrow!

COYB!

[Charnwood]

Play to our best and we win, their best doesn't match ours.

Indeed. I predicted 2-2 vs Peterborough...I didn't have an inkling we'd win so emphatically. The only way we'll lose is if we have an off day. Of course, there's always a chance for a draw with both teams vying for promotion. We're better defensively and offensively than Barnsley, so if it comes down to a shoot-out we should still win comfortably. I'm hoping to catch this on ifollow tomorrow!

COYB!

Definitely one not to miss if you don’t have to 9. What’s your time difference. My two daughters are -6 hrs and -9 hrs so I’m guessing it’s a lunchtime ko for you ?

[number 9]

Play to our best and we win, their best doesn't match ours.

Indeed. I predicted 2-2 vs Peterborough...I didn't have an inkling we'd win so emphatically. The only way we'll lose is if we have an off day. Of course, there's always a chance for a draw with both teams vying for promotion. We're better defensively and offensively than Barnsley, so if it comes down to a shoot-out we should still win comfortably. I'm hoping to catch this on ifollow tomorrow!

COYB!

Definitely one not to miss if you don’t have to 9. What’s your time difference. My two daughters are -6 hrs and -9 hrs so I’m guessing it’s a lunchtime ko for you ?

-5 here on the east coast. Kick off is at 19:45, so 14:45 for me.

[Charnwood]

Indeed. I predicted 2-2 vs Peterborough...I didn't have an inkling we'd win so emphatically. The only way we'll lose is if we have an off day. Of course, there's always a chance for a draw with both teams vying for promotion. We're better defensively and offensively than Barnsley, so if it comes down to a shoot-out we should still win comfortably. I'm hoping to catch this on ifollow tomorrow!

COYB!

Definitely one not to miss if you don’t have to 9. What’s your time difference. My two daughters are -6 hrs and -9 hrs so I’m guessing it’s a lunchtime ko for you ?

-5 here on the east coast. Kick off is at 19:45, so 14:45 for me.

That’s the same as my eldest who’s also on the east coast -5 UK time. I was forgetting I’m +1 here in Spain.

[lucy]

Barnsley won't make this easy for us. I'm hoping we can grab a Win but my gut says a draw and get a point.

[hallamblue]

Anyone else absolutely bricking it yet?

Not sure I can even watch it on ifollow ….

[number 9]

Anyone else absolutely bricking it yet?

Not sure I can even watch it on ifollow ….

It’ll be squeaky bum time tomorrow, for sure!!

[number 9]

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the term ‘tail-gating’? It’s a popular event here in the USA that transpires pregame if you will, before kick off. It obviously involves drinking and cooking…usually of staples such as chicken wings and the like.

Well I’m officially ‘tail-gating’ tomorrow prior to the big match. I’ll be watching the game on my patio, hopefully without buffering issues on ifollow. I’m marinating chicken tonight…the recipe appropriately named ‘drunken chicken’.

So, if we suck I’ll probably be pontificating unlike a traditional pontificator…and if we shine it’ll probably be the same.

COYB! COYB! COYB!

[Shed on tour]

Anyone else absolutely bricking it yet?

Not sure I can even watch it on ifollow ….

Yep, I’m trying to remember if they have plenty of toilets at Oakwell!

[shabba]

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the term ‘tail-gating’? It’s a popular event here in the USA that transpires pregame if you will, before kick off. It obviously involves drinking and cooking…usually of staples such as chicken wings and the like.

Well I’m officially ‘tail-gating’ tomorrow prior to the big match. I’ll be watching the game on my patio, hopefully without buffering issues on ifollow. I’m marinating chicken tonight…the recipe appropriately named ‘drunken chicken’.

So, if we suck I’ll probably be pontificating unlike a traditional pontificator…and if we shine it’ll probably be the same.

COYB! COYB! COYB!

Love the sound of that! Can’t ever imagine it here though, nobody has a truck and the car parks are tiny!

[JohnnyB]

Play to our best and we win, their best doesn't match ours.

Indeed. I predicted 2-2 vs Peterborough...I didn't have an inkling we'd win so emphatically. The only way we'll lose is if we have an off day. Of course, there's always a chance for a draw with both teams vying for promotion. We're better defensively and offensively than Barnsley, so if it comes down to a shoot-out we should still win comfortably. I'm hoping to catch this on ifollow tomorrow!

COYB!

Definitely one not to miss if you don’t have to 9. What’s your time difference. My two daughters are -6 hrs and -9 hrs so I’m guessing it’s a lunchtime ko for you ?

Vietnam +6 so kick off 1.45 am. Hmmm

[number 9]

Indeed. I predicted 2-2 vs Peterborough...I didn't have an inkling we'd win so emphatically. The only way we'll lose is if we have an off day. Of course, there's always a chance for a draw with both teams vying for promotion. We're better defensively and offensively than Barnsley, so if it comes down to a shoot-out we should still win comfortably. I'm hoping to catch this on ifollow tomorrow!

COYB!

Definitely one not to miss if you don’t have to 9. What’s your time difference. My two daughters are -6 hrs and -9 hrs so I’m guessing it’s a lunchtime ko for you ?

Vietnam +6 so kick off 1.45 am. Hmmm

Sounds like a tail-gater JB! Better call in sick tomorrow!

[Charnwood]

For what it’s worth here are the probabilities for tomorrow night, take from it whatever you wish.

Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats, suggests the most likely outcome of this match is a Ipswich Town win with a probability of 44.73%. A win for Barnsley has a probability of 28.83% and a draw has a probability of 26.4%.

The most likely scoreline for a Ipswich Town win is 0-1 with a probability of 11.52%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome are 1-2 (8.95%) and 0-2 (8.22%). The likeliest Barnsley win is 1-0 (8.8%), while for a drawn scoreline it is 1-1 (12.55%).

So there you are, the most likely result is 0-1 to Town and the second most likely is 1-1. Although I prefer the former I’ll happily take either.

[arana peligrosa]

It's a crap shoot anything can happen. Most games if not all are of the same running. Analysis and what if's can go by the wayside.

Being quick it's impossible to foretell what will occur. We may win, we may lose. Hell I'd take a draw from it and leave the last two games to chance.

Plymouth should win, we're not going to get 1st place but screw that second position will take us out the league. Barnsley could possibly still make the automatics should they win this event. Guess they're really going to be coming at us tomorrow, kind of nothing to lose almost. They got a play-off place secure by now you'd imagine.

Kind of expect six points from the Exeter / Fleetwood games even if the team fails in this.