Top scorer Kieffer Moore will start for Barnsley tonight as the Tykes look to get back to winning ways. Moore, who has 7 goals so far this term, has been out since Barnsley’s match against Peterborough United. 

Barnsley assistant manager Andreas Winkler welcomed the return of the in-form striker. He said,

“If he’s fit enough to play 45 minutes at the weekend, he’s fit enough to start.”

Shrewsbury long for Hurst

The Tykes travel to Shrewsbury Town, who are currently in 18th. Last season’s Play-Off finalists have had a difficult start to the season, winning just one of their last five. I took a look at how their first 14 games this term compare to last time out.

After 14 matches last season, Shrewsbury were actually unbeaten. They had won 10 and drawn the other 4, scoring 23 goals and conceding just 9. After losing manager Paul Hurst over the summer and a plethora of key players, this season has been tough. They have won just 2 of their first 14, drawing and losing 6 apiece. They have scored less than half of the goals they had at this point last season; hitting the back of the net 11 times. From top of the league after 14 games last season, Shrewsbury are comfortably in the bottom half. Salop need to start finding the back of the net if they are to get anywhere near to last season’s position.

They’ll also have to stop Keiffer Moore and the rest of the Barnsley front line. Winkler has stated Barnsley’s intent on getting the three points. He said,

“We are pleased with the reaction of the players in training.”

Mike Bahre, who has been a ‘key player’ in the last few weeks, will be assessed tomorrow. Long-term injury Cauley Woodrow is also back in full training, but won’t make his debut tomorrow.

Charlton defeat

In terms of last weekend’s match against Charlton, Winkler admitted that the management team were disappointed with the manner of the goals. Winkler felt they were ‘avoidable’. He said,

“We are disappointed because we know we could avoid these chances. We know where the mistake happened, and we will try and do better in the next match.”

After going off at half-time on Saturday, Barnsley’s assistant admitted that Cameron McGeehan was unlucky to be subbed. Winkler clarified that it wasn’t down to his performance, just a tactical switch. He reiterated that Stendel felt that he had to get a striker on for a midfielder. He said,

“The manager spoke to him after, and he understands why.”

Winkler also claimed Barnsley made too many mistakes, but reassured fans that these were uncharacteristic.

“After the match (Lee Bowyer) said it was Charlton’s best performance of the season on Saturday. It feels like every team has a really good performance against us.”