Championship: Brentford v Barnsley
By Alex Briggs
Stuttering Barnsley travel to the country’s capital on Saturday to face a Brentford side sitting just two places outside the play-offs.
Following a midweek draw at Derby County, the Bees return to Griffin Park looking to keep their unbeaten home record intact.
Manager Dean Smith will be without the suspended Alan McCormack, but may have defender Harlee Dean at his disposal.
Bees Boss Smith touched on the importance of showing their worth when they return home on Saturday, highlighting how impressive they’ve been at home.
“It is nice to come back home; it feels like a long time since we were last there for the Wigan Athletic game. This week has been a test for our credentials,” he told the Brentford FC website.
Goal scoring revelation Scott Hogan will be looking to add to his 16 goals already in 2016, supported by the Bees best home defensive record in the league.
Barnsley on the other hand enter Saturday’s tie in a poor run of form having taken just one point from their last six Championship fixtures.
Adam Armstrong will be back in contention having sat out in the midweek loss to his parent club Newcastle. Other Injury doubts Marc Roberts and James Bree should both be fit after suffering with cramp midweek.
Barnsley will be looking for their first win in 14 years overs the London club, having last won back in 2003 courtesy of a 90th minute winner.
Despite beginning the season in spectacular fashion, Barnsley now sit in 15th place and are in need of stringing a few results together.
“If we bring our best then we’ll be all right but if we don’t Brentford will cause us problems,” head coach Paul Heckingbottom told the YorkshireStar.