It’s the play off semi final first leg.This evening Oakwell will be the setting as Barnsley take on Swansea City in what seems to be a real clash of styles. The high press and rapid formation changes of Barnsley against the studious chess like passing game of Swansea.

Valérien Ismaël has been quick at every opportunity to remind everyone that the two Swansea City victories in the league were against a completely different Barnsley side.

First off here is the side that Swansea City defeated 2-0 at Barnsley back in January.

And the most recent side towards the end of the season

Barnsley and their last six results before today

There is a general impression that Barnsley have tailed off on their last six games. Defeats at Coventry and Preston and by Ismaël’s own admission two 1-0 wins against Rotherham and Huddersfield came with them a lot of fortune. The draw against Norwich was of course very credible, no arguments there. The main change is the addition of Dike and Morris, two players who have fired the side up the league to where they are now. There isn’t a lot more to shout about. We will add In here Herbie Kane, who is a very decent midfielder, signed from Liverpool and now seems settled in the first eleven. Of course Ismaël when he talks about changes is also referencing the attacking confidence of Barnsley not just personnel.

Yes Barnsley are a much improved side but very beatable, in fact over the last six games they have been hardly emphatic, just doing enough to make the play offs. Swansea scraped some decent 1-0 wins as well as the season progressed. Unfortunately those 1-0 wins were clouded by a concerted effort by the press to undermine the side and how it earned those results.

Steve Cooper: “I know people will look at the results between us during the season, but we cannot be thinking about that. These games will be completely different and our league results will have no bearing on how these games will go. They are a good side, as are all four who made the play-offs, and we know we will have to be ready and prepared to work very hard and do those non-negotiables you need in football. We have a lot of respect for Barnsley, but we know we are a good side too and what we are capable of doing when we commit to our plan and how we want to play.”

Valerien Ismael: “We played them twice in the space of a short time when Swansea were really strong, but the momentum has changed,” said Ismael, looking back on their previous meetings. Daryl Dike and Carlton Morris coming in has given us more options and we’ve got a desire now to change the story of the season against Swansea. It’s an incredible achievement to finish the season where we have done after how it started and what happened last season. I really hope we can now get a big reward in the play-offs because, when you believe in something, you can achieve some great results.”

Let’s not see Barnsley as a completely changed side, they are the side the swans have beaten twice already this season. Nothing compares to the play off games though, but of course had Swansea not won those games would there still be comparisons ? Too right there would be.

You better believe it.

Barnsley v Swansea City
Kick off 8.15pm
Sky Sports

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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