Barnsley 2-2 Bolton

Preview: Five talking points ahead of Barnsley v Bolton Wanderers

As Wanderers prepare to make the trip to Barnsley on Saturday afternoon in a key clash at the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship, bwfc.co.uk highlights five talking points ahead of the match.

1. Six-pointer

Phil Parkinson’s men will be keen to end a recent rough patch of form and put some daylight between them and the Sky Bet Championship bottom three at Oakwell on Saturday.

Only two points and one place separate Wanderers and their opponents - although the Reds hold a game in hand – emphasising just how tight it is at the bottom of the table.

Bolton could potentially move two places clear of the relegation zone with victory in South Yorkshire and leapfrog Birmingham City in the process, should Blues fail to pick up a win over table-topping Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Sunday.

“There’s going to be a cup tie atmosphere and we need to be ready to play with real passion and commitment, but with a cool head as well,” said Parkinson at his pre-match press conference.

“As the old saying goes, ‘fire in the belly and ice running through the veins’. That’s what it’s got to be like for us out on the pitch.”

2. Head-to-head

The Trotters boast an impressive head-to-head record against Barnsley – they’re undefeated in their last 11 meetings (W6, D5) with their last loss coming in a 1998 FA Cup tie at Oakwell.

Earlier in the season, the Whites ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at Macron Stadium thanks to a Gary Madine brace and a second-half strike from Mark Little.

Wanderers will be keen to ensure their recent fortunes against the Tykes continue come 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

3. League double?

Three points at the weekend would see Wanderers secure a league double over Barnsley and would be Bolton’s first league double of the campaign.

Having already defeated the Tykes once this season, back in December, the Trotters will be hoping it's a case of same again when they take to the field on Saturday.

4. Yorkshire travels

Bolton have enjoyed success on their Yorkshire travels this season, picking up four wins out of the eight games played.

The team have fared best against Sheffield Wednesday, taking four points off the Hillsborough outfit in the league and beating them in the EFL Cup.

The Whites also saw off Sheffield United, 0-1, at Bramall Lane in late December, with Gary Madine scoring the all-important goal on that day.

And, as mentioned above, the final and fourth victory came over Barnsley at Macron Stadium in early December.

Can Wanderers extend it to five Yorkshire wins out of nine this weekend?

5. Pay on the day

Wanderers will be spurred on at Oakwell by over 2,000 travelling Whites!

Tickets remain on sale for the match and will be available on the day at Oakwell from the North Stand turnstiles on a cash-only basis.

Adult, Over-65 and Under-22 price bands will increase by £2 on the day, but no Under-17s or Under-12s tickets will be available and must be purchased in advance of the fixture.

Any supporters who have organised for their tickets to be sent to Barnsley for collection or have their tickets duplicated, these will be left at the main reception situated next to the South Stand Ticket Office.

Prices are as follows:

General Prices (Pay On The Day)

Adults - £30 (£32)
Over-65s - £22 (£24)
Under-22s - £22 (£24)
*Under-17s - £10 (N/A)
*Under-12s - £5 (N/A)

Be loud, be proud and back the boys!

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Another Saturday, another sickening sense of dread, which can only be relieved by a great outcome at 5pm. 

When was the last time we had a game wrapped up by half-time, so that we could relax and enjoy a game fully?

 Mind you, I wouldn't feel at ease even if we had a two-goal lead going into the final 5 minutes....

It would also make a change to see some variety in our approach play, sensible team selection that mixed pace with muscle, wise use of subs, no ridiculous, risky challenges leading to bookings, sendings-off, penalties or free kicks within shooting range.
Equally good to finally witness a worthwhile referee.....their performances have been as poor as ours

Am I right in thinking that we could do with Fulham beating Brentford today on the basis that if Fulham don't win, Wolves will be champions by 5 o'clock and any celebration may distract from their game against Birmingham tomorrow? Possibly not, as I'm sure Wolves shouldn't require any incentive against their local rivals, but you never know.

Not the worst team, but Beevers is a lucky boy to still be picked.

Natasha Whittam wrote:Not the worst team, but Beevers is a lucky boy to still be picked.

Not over impressed with the subs bench. There's not much talent there.

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Predictable selection from Parky, going for "experience" in a crunch game.

Fingers crossed for a miracle.

I never mentioned toes.

Cajunboy wrote:I never mentioned toes.

No, but I think even that won't be enough now!

Felt like a defeat in the end, why can't we hold on to a lead?

Norpig wrote:Felt like a defeat in the end, why can't we hold on to a lead?

Because the manager and team are shit.

Gut wrenching ending.

Hope is the killer.

Parky couldn't help himself. 2-1 up, take off Morais and bring on a defender. What followed was predictable.

When we get tonked by Wolves next week, and Burton inevitably beat Sunderland, the table is going to look a lot different.

Report: Barnsley 2-2 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wande had victory snatched away from them at Oakwell after battling their way back into contest.

The hosts had taken the lead in the first half through Gary Gardner but two goals in the second period in the space of three minutes from Adam Le Fondre and Craig Noone had seemingly swung the contest in favour of the visitors.

But Oliver McBurnie’s injury time header ensured the points were shared.

Team News

Phil Parkinson made four changes to the side that lost to Millwall in midweek as Wanderers aimed to arrest their four-game losing streak against a Barnsley side that sat just one place and two points below them in the Sky Bet Championship. Filipe Morais returned at the expense of Craig Noone, while wing backs Antonee Robinson and Mark Little came on for Andrew Taylor and Jon Flanagan, while Reece Burke came in for Derik.

First Half

Backed by just under 3,000 travelling fans, Wanderers started the brighter of the two and enjoyed far more possession than their hosts during the early stages.

Playing in a 3-4-3 formation, the visitors seemed set on attacking from the off with Barnsley’s sole outlet up front coming in the guise of Kieffer Moore.

Brad Potts registered the game’s first effort in target after Barnsley were afforded some time and space just outside the Wanderers box. The midfielder’s effort, though, lacked the power to trouble Ben Alnwick.

The chance saw the hosts get back into the game and they opened the scoring through Gary Gardner who rifled the ball into the roof of the net after Wanderers had cleared off their own line through Wheater and Beevers in the run up to the goal.

Adam Davies came to the rescue for Barnsley as he kept out a Sammy Ameobi right footer as Wanderers pressed for an equaliser.

At the other end, Wanderers struggle to clear a corner and McBurnie was allowed a run on goal only to see his curling effort sail narrowly wide of Alnwick’s left hand post.

Wanderers tried to rally as the half drew to a close and Henry saw a volley deflect for a corner.

Second Half

Will Buckley came on for Reece Burke during the break as Parkinson made an attacking change to try and get Wanderers back into the contest.

Wanderers attacked from the off and Buckley’s right sided cross found its way to Robinson whose shot went narrowly wide.

The hosts survived a vociferous claim for a penalty after a Tykes defender appeared to handle Le Fondre’s shot. From the resulting corner Wheater saw a towering header cleared off the line by Reds’ captain Andy Yiadom.

Wheater had another shot charged down at the expense of a corner as Wanderers tried in vain to get a goal.

Barnsley should have made it two when Moore rose high above everyone else to get his head on Hammill’s right sided cross but the big striker headed over much to the relief of Alnwick.

Parkinson immediately made another attacking change with Craig Noone coming on for Little for the remaining 20 minutes.

But Barnsley still had ambitions of their own to score as Moncur broke forward and charged towards goal but Alnwick kept out the midfielder’s strike and McBurnie’s rebound was cleared.

At the other end Le Fondre went on a powerful run only to see his goalbound effort deflect for a goalkick.

Wanderers got themselves back into the contest in dramatic fashion after Le Fondre picked himself up to score from the spot. There had been a delay in the penalty being taken after referee Mike Jones had to deal with an off-the-ball incident involving Pratley and McBurnie, both of whom were shown a yellow card.

And just moments later substitute Noone put Wanderers in front to spark wild scenes of celebration amongst the passionate Wanderers faithful.

Ameobi caused mayhem over on the right and the ball broke to Noon who crashed home with his right foot to register his first goal in a Wanderers shirt.

Barnsley weren’t deterred and grabbed an injury time equaliser through McBurnie who head home a corner to ensure both sides took home a point.

Full Time

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Natasha Whittam wrote:Parky couldn't help himself. 2-1 up, take off Morais and bring on a defender. What followed was predictable.

When we get tonked by Wolves next week, and Burton inevitably beat Sunderland, the table is going to look a lot different.

How many points have we lost to Parky's ineptitude?  Every time he puts on the extra defender, we give up a goal.  Strange game when you don't learn from your mistakes.

boltonbonce wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Absolute shit defending in the box yet again.