Date: Tuesday, 28th January 2025
Kick-off: 7:45 PM
Venue: Adams Park
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Here we go again, lads and lasses. Another midweek trek to Adams Park, where the rain will probably match our nerves. This one’s got all the makings of a proper battle: Wycombe are flying high in 2nd, and Barnsley, well, we’re scrapping to stay in the playoff spots. Two successive defeats? Aye, not ideal, but we’ve seen worse and come back stronger. Let’s get stuck into it.
Recent Form: Momentum or Misfire?
For Wycombe, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag. They’ve picked up four points from their last two games under caretaker boss Sam Grace, including a drab 0-0 against Northampton. But don’t let that fool you—they’ve been dynamite away from home this season, scoring for fun. At home, though? Just 18 goals all season. So, there’s a glimmer of hope for us.
Barnsley? Well, it’s been a bit of a New Year hangover. After a cracking start to January—beating Crawley and Wrexham—it’s gone downhill. Bristol Rovers rolled us over, and Stevenage nicked it late on Saturday. But if this squad’s shown anything, it’s bouncebackability. Remember when we battered Peterborough 3-1 on their patch? That’s the energy we need to bring.
Key Stats
Barnsley
Goals Scored (League): 40 (20 home, 20 away)
Goals Conceded: 37 (21 home, 16 away)
Top Scorer: Davis Keillor-Dunn (9 goals)
Wycombe Wanderers
Goals Scored (League): 52 (18 home, 34 away)
Goals Conceded: 28 (9 home, 19 away)
Top Scorer: Richard Kone (14 goals)
Wycombe are solid at home defensively but struggle to find the net. If we can nick the first goal, we might just rattle them.
Team News
Barnsley
It’s not looking rosy. Barry Cotter’s out for the season, Maël de Gevigney is touch-and-go, and Neil Farrugia’s thigh is playing up. That’s left us juggling the wing-back slots, but Corey O’Keeffe’s been brilliant on the right—second in the league for assists! We’ll need another big shift from him.
Wycombe
The Chairboys have been busy in the transfer window, bringing in seven (yes, seven!) players. Their standout arrivals include Magnus Westergaard and James Berry, so we might see a few debuts. They’ll be looking to build on their solid performances under Sam Grace.
Head-to-Head
We’ve had the upper hand over Wycombe recently, with four wins in the last five meetings. The reverse fixture in October ended 2-2 at Oakwell, and they’ve not beaten us at Adams Park since 2018. History’s on our side, but football’s not played in the past (sadly).
Players to Watch
Barnsley
Davis Keillor-Dunn: Our top scorer, and if he gets a sniff of goal, he usually delivers.
Corey O’Keeffe: With seven assists, his deliveries are crucial—especially with Wycombe’s defensive setup.
Wycombe Wanderers
Richard Kone: Their danger man, with 14 goals. Keep him quiet, and we’re halfway there.
Garath McCleary: Still a class act and can turn a game with one moment of brilliance.
Weather Watch
It’s looking like one of those damp, drizzly nights down south. Showers in the day should ease off by the evening, but the pitch might be a bit slick—perfect for a fast counterattack (and maybe a few sliding tackles for good measure).
Prediction
Wycombe have the form, the table position, and the momentum of a January shopping spree, but Barnsley have heart. And sometimes, heart is all you need. If we can tighten up at the back and take our chances, there’s no reason we can’t nick something.
Prediction: Wycombe 1-1 Barnsley
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