It is 'good timing' that Barnsley's next match is a local derby with Sheffield United, insists head coach Lee Johnson.
The third-bottom Reds, who host the Blades from 12.15pm tomorrow, have lost nine of their last ten league matches. Having avoided equalling a club record for nine successive league defeats with victory at Oldham on Saturday, Barnsley will now hope to make sure they do not equal their longest ever sequence of home league losses.
The last time they lost five in a row at Oakwell in the league was in 1993 under Viv Anderson and they would match that if the Blades followed Crewe, Walsall, Fleetwood and Port Vale in winning in Barnsley tomorrow.
"It's a massive game and a great game for us to have," said Johnson. "It's really good timing to have a big derby like this. We want to show what we can really do in front of our home fans. I enjoy the early kick-offs because it's less waiting around getting nervous.
"I love big games. You can't fear them. I know we will take the game to them because our attacking players are in good form. We have looked potent and have had more than 70 shots in the last five games so we are becoming the attacking force we thought we would be."
Both the Blades – who were beaten 4-2 at home by Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday – and the Reds go into the game having won three of their last 14 league games despite having among the best budgets and fanbases in the division.
United were beaten in the play-off semi-finals last season and were one of the favourites to better that when Nigel Adkins was appointed as manager in the summer. But they are 12th, five points off the top six, and have not won in five league games while their last three points away from home came in August.
Johnson said: "I am surprised with where we are and by where Sheffield United are but it goes to show that football is not played on paper. You have to turn up, cut out individual errors and score goals. Neither team will be happy with where they are and it's a chance to right a lot of wrongs and start a good run so hopefully it is us who do that."
Former Barnsley players Matty Done and Jay McEveley came on at half-time against Shrewsbury and could start tomorrow along with another ex-Red in Jamal Campbell-Ryce. The Reds will be without suspended centre-back Kevin Long while Aidy White, Lloyd Isgrove and Ryan Williams could all play after injury. The under 21 sides of Barnsley and United drew 0-0 on Monday after their under 18s tied 2-2 on Saturday with the Reds conceding two penalties and netting through Will Smith and Wade Maxwell.
