Barnsley v Swansea

[jackaway]

Here we are then, in the play-offs again for the second successive season, despite the distant American owners selling all our best players and investing nothing.
Brentford got the better of us last season over two legs on goal difference, after us winning the first leg.
This time a limited number of home fans will be allowed into the stadiums, 4,500 at Barnsley, 3,000 at Swansea for free.
We have home advantage second leg because we finished in fourth place, Barnsley finishing fifth.
Our home form has been surprisingly poor recently but will fan involvement help us this time, possibly.
Barnsley last six WLWWLD F6 A6
Swansea last six WDLDWL F8 A8

[jackaway]

Brandon Cooper out -

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/brandon-cooper-ruled-out-ankle-injury

[jackaway]

Steve Cooper -
“We can’t wait to get back in front of our supporters. It will be great to see them again. But we will also be thinking of the ones who couldn’t get in because of the restrictions, so it isn’t a complete return yet.
Whether we were at home first or second leg, we hope that having our fans back can help us along the way.”

[jackaway]

Captain Matt Grimes -
“The play-offs stand by themselves. Anything can happen. Teams will be throwing the kitchen sink at it to get back to the promised land. These are unique games, but we are hoping that with the experience we gained last year we will be fully equipped to go one further this time.
These are the games that you want to be involved in. They could take us to the next level, and it’s hugely exciting.”

[jackaway]

Roberts, Bennett on the bench, Naughton, Cabango in -

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/team-news-barnsley-v-swansea-city-1

[Estoban]

0-1
39’ Ayew, lovely left foot shot

[jackaway]

Match Report -

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/report-barnsley-0-swansea-city-1-agg-0-1

[jackaway]

Exciting match and I thought we countered Barnsley’s style of football well.
It’s only half-time though and we have to do it all again on Saturday.
Special mention for our two 20 year old centre-backs who handled everything thrown at them superbly.
One special piece of magic from Ayew gave us the lead, turning the defender to get off his left-footed shot after a defence splitting pass from Naughton.

[Acido]

Hey up Jack.
Remember when I started sharing my comments on here during the season, I had no idea then that we would be thrashing it out with Swanny in these end of season Play offs lol.
Despite your team losing form and confidence towards the end of the season, we also hit a bit of inconsistent form as well.
But when you look at Brentford winning their last 3 or 4, and Bournemouth losing their last 3, does that really matter when it comes to the big 2 legs ?.

[jackaway]

It was disappointing, after being well placed all season, to lose out on the autos.
The play-offs are a lottery and I do not like the tension they bring, where a season’s work can go down the drain with one mistake.
Form goes out of the window and it comes down to how your team copes with the occasion on the day.

[Estoban]

Match highlights in case you missed them -

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/highlights-barnsley-v-swansea-city-1