Conor Hourihane is ‘really looking forward to’ Barnsley’s EFL Trophy game at Martin Paterson’s Notts County on Tuesday and has challenged the fringe players who will be involved to stake a claim for the league team.
The Reds have lost their last two League One matches with their team at Meadow Lane expected to be made up of those who have been on the bench and some youngsters from the under 21s squad.
Head coach Hourihane told the Chronicle: “We will change some players but we will treat the trophy like games we want to win. There have been lads who are not getting enough minutes. I am really looking forward to Tuesday because they have an opportunity to playing stake a claim moving into Wycombe. Let’s see what they’ve got.”
The Reds have lost their last five games in the trophy, going out in the group stage last season without a point.
They are in a group with Lincoln City – who have already beaten Notts County 3-0 – and Manchester United under 21s, who play Lincoln at the same time as this game.
Paterson was Michael Duff’s assistant coach at Barnsley in the 2022/23 season then both his spells at Swansea City and Huddersfield Town, as well as a stint on his own at Burton Albion in the 2023/24 season. He was appointed County manager this summer and they are 12th in League Two.
County have right wing-back Barry Cotter on loan from the Reds, while they also have Conor Grant who played 14 games on loan for Barnsley last year.
Striker David Goldrick began his career at Notts County then spent the last two seasons back there before moving to Oakwell. He is thought to be unlikely to play in this match.
The clubs have met 65 times, with Barnsley winning 27 and losing 19.
The last meeting was in the FA Cup in 2018 when Barnsley won 4-0 at Oakwell thanks to goals by Cauley Woodrow, Zeki Fryers, Kieffer Moore and Brad Potts.
Barnsley’s last trip to Meadow Lane was in April 2015 when they drew 1-1 in League One, with Sam Winnall’s early goal cancelled out by a last-gasp Balint Bajner strike.
The previous meeting in the EFL Trophy in October 2003, saw visitors Barnsley win 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
