Got a Story? - 01226 734262
Sport
Asbaghi confident of keeping Reds up despite 'challenging situation'
New Barnsley head coach Poya Asbaghi admits he arrives in a 'challenging situation' but is confident he will achieve his main aim of keeping the Reds in the Championship this season.
The 36-year-old Iranian-born Swede was appointed last Wednesday, having worked his way up from the fifth tier of Swedish football to manage IFK Gothenburg then the Swedish under 21s.
He and assistant Ferran Sibila watched the Reds’ 4-1 loss at Championship leaders...
Reds close to worst 1st half of season since 1900 but Poya wants ‘winning machine’
BARNSLEY will post their lowest points total at the first half of the season since 1900 if they lose tonight but Poya Asbaghi believes they can become ‘a winning machine’ in the second half of the campaign.
The Reds are second-bottom, eight points off safety with 13 points, and two wins, from 22 of their 46 games. They have scored 15 goals which is the fewest in the division, and the fewest they...
FULL MATCH PREVIEW: Ismael returns to Oakwell
THE FIRST time the majority of match-going Barnsley fans see Valerien Ismael in the flesh could be the night he sinks their club further into a dire situation that was unthinkable when he had them on the brink of the Premier League.
Seven months ago today, Ismael’s Reds took on Swansea City in the play-offs in front of about 4,000 fans, with Covid restrictions partially lifted, having finished fifth against all odds behind-closed-doors in one...
‘Bigger miracles’ than Reds staying up says new boss
POYA Asbaghi says ‘there have been bigger miracles in life than Barnsley getting out of this situation’ and that they cannot ‘get too stressed’ about being six points from safety.
The 36-year-old Swedish head coach was appointed last week and, after watching Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Fulham from the stands, he took over on Monday and oversaw the 2-0 defeat at home to Swansea City on Wednesday.
That left the Reds second-bottom in the Championship,...
Five talking points from Huddersfield draw
Analysis of Barnsley's 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town at Oakwell on Saturday. The Reds stayed eight points from safety.
ONE OF BEST DISPLAYS OF DISMAL SEASON
Calling this one of the best performances of this abysmal season is like picking out the tallest Oompah Loompah, the fastest snail or your favourite dictator from history.
It’s been a shocking campaign of nearly constant misery but this display in a Yorkshire derby draw, while far from...
Helik hopes for repeat of ‘career highlight’ win over Huddersfield
MICHAL Helik says last season’s home game with Huddersfield Town was the highlight of his club career so far and hopes that another win in that fixture tomorrow will kickstart Barnsley’s rise up the table.
The 26-year-old Polish international centre-back netted both goals in a 2-1 win over the Terriers on Boxing Day, including a 93rd-minute winner.
He told the Chronicle: “It was the highlight of my career, to score two goals in a derby...
Laumann praises team and fans after victory
Caretaker manager Joseph Laumann praised his side's effort and the support of the fans after Barnsley came from behind to end a seven-match losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Derby County on Wednesday.
The Reds had not won in 13 games but reacted to falling behind with goals either side of half-time.
Laumann told the Chronicle: "It's a big win and we are very happy with the effort of the team. The...
5 talking points from win over Derby
Analysis of Wednesday night's 2-1 win over bottom club Derby, in which Barnsley came from behind to end a seven-match winless run and record their first victory in 13 games.
CARETAKER LEADS REDS TO VITAL VICTORY
After all the negativity, tension and pressure towards Markus Schopp in recent weeks, his removal was bound to provide fresh impetus and a better mood around the ground at least at first. But the Reds still needed a...
mpu3
mpu4
Academy gets top marks
A REPORT by the Adult Learning Inspectorate, carried out on behalf of the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association), has revealed that Barnsley FC’s Academy is among the best in the country for education. The club’s programme, which sees the Oakwell juniors who fail to win a professional contract leave with enough qualifications to go onto higher education, has a 100 per cent success rate. Pat Lally, from the PFA, said the results at Barnsley were ‘simply...
Goalscorer O'Grady could have signed for Reds
The man who scored the winner for Sheffield Wednesday at Oakwell on Saturday admitted afterwards that he almost signed for Barnsley this season but chose to stay with the Owls.
Chris O’Grady played under Keith Hill at Rochdale and the Reds manager attempted to bring him to Barnsley earlier in the season. Wednesday were willing to let him go, but the striker decided to stay put.
O’Grady told the Chronicle: “There was the option to...
Reds at home in FA Cup
Barnsley will host either Ipswich Town or AFC Barrow in the third round of the FA Cup.
The game is due to be played on the weekend of January 8.
Ipswich are 11th in League One, having just sacked Paul Cook, while Barrow are 20th in League Two.
They drew 0-0 at Ipswich on Saturday and replay in Barrow on Wednesday of next week.
Posh point 'something to build on' but boss admits attack must improve
Poya Asbaghi says a clean sheet and a point at Peterborough United are 'something to build on' but added: 'it's clear we need to improve our attack.'
The second-bottom Reds, who are now eight points from safety, drew 0-0 at third-bottom Peterborough, who had most of the ball and the better chances overall.
Asbaghi told the Chronicle: "It was a game between two teams who are struggling in teams of confidence and it...
Five talking points from Swansea loss
Analysis from Barnsley's 2-0 home loss to Swansea City on Wednesday, in Poya Asbaghi's first match as head coach. The defeat left the Reds six points from safety.
ASBAGHI FIRST MANAGER TO NOT WIN 1ST HOME GAME SINCE MORAIS
Poya Asbaghi became the first permanent head coach in five not to win his opening home game since Jose Morais, who oversaw the last relegation to League One in 2018.
Having watched from the stands...
Reds thrashed at Fulham in front of new boss
Barnsley were beaten 4-1 at Championship leaders Fulham with new head coach Poya Asbaghi watching from the stands.
The Reds, under caretaker Jo Laumann, were 2-0 down at the break then conceded two more either side of a consolation goal by substitute Victor Adeboyejo.
After an even first quarter, the hosts totally dominated the match and could have won by several more goals before going to the top of the Championship with...
COMMENT: What is on Poya Asbaghi’s ‘to do list’ at Oakwell?
A look at what Barnsley's new head coach must do once he arrives at Oakwell on Monday
GET BEST FROM TALENTED SQUAD
The majority of this Barnsley squad was within touching distance of the Premier League six months ago.
There is plenty of talent and character at Oakwell, far too much to be second-bottom of the Championship despite problems such as a lack of experience in central midfield and not enough regular scorers....
Asbaghi named new Reds coach
Poya Asbaghi has been appointed head coach of Barnsley FC and is due to start work at Oakwell next week.
The 36-year-old, who was born in Iran but spent most of his life in Sweden, has been coaching Sweden under 21s after a stint with IFK Gothenburg.
Asbaghi – who was interviewed for the role in 2019 – will bring with him Spanish assistant Ferran Sibila.
The pair are due to take training for the...
Barnsley head coach search likely to drag into 3rd week
BARNSLEY’S search for a new head coach could drag into a third week, after they had hoped to make an appointment by the end of this week.
The Reds sacked Markus Schopp almost two weeks ago after a 13-match winless run and seven straight losses left them second-bottom of the Championship with eight points – which is their lowest ever tally after 15 games.
Caretaker Joe Laumann oversaw the two home games against the other...
Yorkshire CEO stands down amid Rafiq scandal
Yorkshire CCC chief executive Mark Arthur has resigned amid the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.
Arthur and Barnsley man Martyn Moxon, the director of cricket who has been signed off with a stress-related condition, had faced calls to resign after the club admitted Rafiq, also from Barnsley, was racially abused.
Rafiq and senior figures from the club are due to give evidence to the Department of Culture Media and Sport select committee on Tuesday.
Arthur's exit...
Reds 'all over the place' and Laumann understands desire for change
Barnsley captain Cauley Woodrow says they were 'all over the place' for the majority of their 2-0 loss at Oakwell to fellow strugglers Hull City after which caretaker Joe Laumann admitted he can understand calls for a new head coach to be appointed now.
The Reds conceded goals in both halves to a side who had not scored away since the opening day and had lost five in a row. Hull overtook Barnsley who...
