Barnsley

BIG MONEY BUY:

Striker Mike Sheron cost the Tykes £1 million when he moved from QPR in the spring of 1999. However, the former Manchester City and Norwich front man has had a lean spell in front of goal this term with just one in the League and five in the cup and played in midfield last week.

LAST SIX RESULTS:

Birmingham (h) lost 2-3

Dyer, Jones

Leeds (A, FAC) lost 1-0

West Brom (A) lost 1-0

Watford (h) lost 0-1

Burnley (h) won 1-0

Morgan

Norwich (a) drew 0-0

SEASON SO FAR:

Barnsley have had an indifferent time of it, prompting the departure of Dave Bassett just before Christmas. Their recent record is just one win in eight games -- against Burnley -- with goals hard to come by.

They have managed just three in those eight games and are only four points above the drop zone.

MANAGER:

Nigel Spackman became Barnsley's fourth manager in less than three years when he was appointed as Dave Bassett's successor. The ex-Chelsea, Liverpool and Rangers midfielder was previously in charge of Sheffield United in 1997/98 before becoming part of the England youth coaching set-up.

TOP SCORER:

Bruce Dyer's goal against Birmingham City last Saturday took him above Neil Shipperley in the scoring charts. The striker now has nine goal s to his name, eight in the League and one in the Worthington Cup. However, Barnsley are still trying to sign Bradford's Isiah Rankin to bolster their strikeforce.

PREDICTED LINE-UP:

Barnsley boss Spackman has been trying desperately hard to bring in some new faces this week to bolster his threadbare squad. He is without four midfield players and was hoping to recruit Manchester City play-maker Ian Bishop.

ONE TO WATCH:

Neil Shipperley has been short of goals in recent times and was well handled by Ian Cox at Oakwell on Boxing Day. However, the experienced striker still looked a useful physical presence with a decent touch and will be a threat around the box.

DID YOU KNOW?

Tykes boss Nigel Spackman brought in a specialist fitness coach this week to work with his squad as he plots an escape from relegation danger. Barnsley haven't been outside the top two divisions for 20 years and Spackman is covering every angle.