The international break couldn’t have come soon enough for Barnsley as they went into the break on the back of a miserable 10-match sequence without a win in the Championship, which has left The Tykes in early relegation trouble.
Indeed, the only highlight so far in what has been a disappointing and worrying start to their return to the Championship was on the opening day of the new campaign when Barnsley registered a 1-0 home win against Fulham.
Since then, however, Daniel Stendel’s side have picked up just a meagre 3 points from the last possible 30 on offer, and the host’s worrying results look a real concern here for players and fans alike - not least manager, Stendel, as another defeat to Swansea City this Saturday could really increase the pressure on his job.
Barnsley have lost 7 of these last 10 league matches while at Oakwell, since their opening day win against Fulham, the south Yorkshire side have slumped to 5 matches without a win, scoring 6 goals for but conceding a total of 12 in return.
By contrast, Swansea City are flying high in 4th place in the Championship despite a surprise 2-1 loss at home to strugglers, Stoke City, just before the international break which came as a huge shock but no doubt a very welcome win for under-fire Stoke boss, Nathan Jones.
The Swans will make their way up to Barnsley to face another struggling team in the Championship, but having managed to record just 1 win out of their last 5 matches overall in the second tier, the pressure is also on the visitors to rekindle their early season form which took them to the top of the division.
5 wins from their opening 6 matches of the new season was a dream start for Swansea City and new manager, Steve Cooper, as The Swans collected wins against Hull City, Preston North End, QPR, Birmingham City and Leeds United - the latter being achieved at Elland Road.
Swansea’s recent dip in form though has been mainly at their Liberty Stadium where they’re without a win from their last 3 matches, but results away from home have continued in a positive vein as the visitors still remain unbeaten on their travels, picking up 3 wins and 2 draws which include victories at QPR, Leeds United and Charlton Athletic.
Barnsley can’t take a trick at the moment so this could be the perfect opportunity for Swansea City to bounce back with a win here.