Barnsley FC v Sunderland AFC Preview & Match Thread

We lose this, and Luton win, we can kiss goodbye to automatic promotion.

Ross appears terrified of losing. Barnsley may feel like a draw is a good result & sit back. It could be a real damp squib of a game. Or, Barnsley may well feel that Luton's run is starting to falter, and they can see off our challenge once and for all.

After Saturday's return to December/January type performances, I'm not at all confident.

Im going to the Barnsley match, taking my 10 year old, so already nervous, I think when we play the better teams in this league we do raise our game but we need to keep 11 on the pitch and no daft defensive howlers.

I am surprised by how consistent Barnsley are given they have lost the top striker and have suspensions and injuries.

I think if we lose this then play offs beckon unless Luton or Barnsley suddenly nose dive.

This is without doubt the biggest game of the season - taking on second place at their place at this stage. But for me, the only reason this game is as big as it is is because of the points we have dropped.

So I think a draw would do for both teams, but a loss - depending on the nature of one - would for me open up questions on Ross and the mentality of the team.

Either Ross isn't good enough for the next level or the players are aren't - the jury is out on Ross but all the defenders and keeper would need replacing should we go up along with the strikers.

I've watched Barnsley on a few occasions recently, I don't think they will sit back, not that they can't, just don't think it's their way.
We have a game on our hands tomorrow tonight and can see us getting a going over if we play the way we did against Wycombe

www.safc.com/news/team-news/2019/march/team-news-v-barnsley



TEAM NEWS:
Quartet to miss Barnsley trip

Sam Lightle Sam Lightle
11 March, 2019
@samlightle



Sunderland will be without four players, who featured in Saturday’s matchday squad, for tomorrow’s trip to Barnsley.

Duo Tom Flanagan and skipper George Honeyman miss out through concussion, although the latter is also suspended following a touchline melee in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Duncan Watmore also picked up an ankle injury following a heavy challenge from Marcus Bean late on, which saw the Wycombe Wanderers midfielder shown a second yellow card for his miss-timed lunge.

Full-back Reece James is also a doubt, leaving Jack Ross with plenty to ponder ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Oakwell.

“We have obviously Chris Maguire who remains out with his fractured leg,” Ross told the media at his press conference this afternoon.

“Both George Honeyman and Tom Flanagan suffered concussion on Saturday so they will be out.

“George has his suspension anyway, but both would miss tomorrow night under the concussion protocol.

“Duncan will have a scan this afternoon to assess the full extent his ankle injury and Reece James has an injury as well.

“So, there’s four from the weekend squad and five when you take into consideration Chris as well who is a long-term one”