On Sunday Barnsley entertain Peterborough United in the final league game of the season with the Reds guaranteed a fourth-place finish in what has been a very good first campaign under manager Michael Duff.
For the visitors, there is a lot riding on the final game. The Posh must win at Oakwell and hope Derby loses at Sheffield Wednesday for Darren Ferguson`s side to sneak into the final playoff spot.
Peterborough sit in 7th place, with 2 points and a worse goal difference of 3 goals behind Derby. The Posh have won more games than the Rams this season but defeats have cost them dearly, in fact, Peterborough have only drawn four games all season, the least of any side in the division.
So there is still plenty riding on Sunday’s game at Oakwell.
Michael Duff was disappointed with some of his players dropping their usual high standards against MK Dons on Saturday. Post-match Duff said “It was not good enough. Credit to them for getting back in the game but we had too many people not at it today. It has to be a warning shot for a few of them. All we proved was we’re not as good as we think we are.”
Duff sets high standards at Oakwell so expect a strong lineup on Sunday despite the playoffs being around the corner. Duff will expect the Reds to be competitive and to sign off the regular season with a victory in front of home fans.
Sheffield Wednesday will finish 3rd. Will they save themselves for what is looking like a doubleheader in the playoffs with Sunday’s opponent Derby? Or will the Owls want to put down a marker ahead of the semi-finals by beating the Rams? Peterborough fans will no doubt be hoping Darren Moore`s side do them a favour and beat Derby, therefore, giving them a chance of sneaking the final playoff spot.
Barnsley have conceded 7 goals in the last 2 fixtures, something Duff will want to fix. Although the performance at MK Dons wasn’t what we have come to expect from the reds, the manner in which Barnsley came from behind to draw 4-4 shows character is still very much in the side. You can forgive some players for easing off given play offs have been achieved. The party atmosphere in the away end at Stadium MK showed how there was nothing riding on the game from a Barnsley perspective. Maybe some players picked up the party vibe and let their high standards drop?
Peterborough shouldn’t expect Duff to put out a weakened side on Sunday. Apart from protecting the injured Mads Andersen and letting Luca Connell get over his sickness bug, expect Duff to play a strong side.
The substitutes who came on at MK Dons changed the game for the Reds. Max Watters got the headlines for his two goals and rightly so but Barry Cotter and Jon Russell made an impact also. All will be wanting to impress the manager and give him a selection headache ahead of the playoffs. Luke Thomas was instrumental in driving Barnsley on against MK Dons, constantly demanding the ball and trying to make things happen. He also is keen to get into the regular starting eleven.
With Peterborough having to attack Barnsley and try to win the game, this has the hallmarks of an entertaining finale to what has been a very good season for the Reds. Barnsley will relish a side opening up and playing football which will give the Reds opportunities. It will suit Barnsley that a side plays open football rather than putting men behind the ball.
Michael Duff will demand a winning finale to the regular season in front of home fans. Confidence is everything in football and a victory over Peterborough will set the Reds up nicely going into the play-off semi-finals.
Writers View
Michael Duff will have torn a strip off his players for the lacklustre performance away at MK Dons especially from a defensive point of view. Whilst it was a positive response to going 4-1 down to salvage a draw, Duff will want to make sure the players re-focus ahead of the playoffs.
Expect a string side against Peterborough with several players given a chance to make a claim for a regular start. Luke Thomas, Barry Cotter, Slobodan Tedic and Max Watters are four players who are chomping at the bit to start rather than come on from the bench.
Peterborough have to win so this could be an entertaining fixture. I expect Barnsley to just do enough to win all three points.
