Score predictions - Shrewsbury at home

Despite losing two of our last 3 games, the bookies have us as heavy favourites to take 3 points on Monday at 4/7. Shrewsbury are currently available at 11/2 if you fancy them to put an end to their poor run of form.

I say poor run, it's been a complete collapse from the Shrews. After getting close to the play-off picture, they've now won just 2 of their last 9 fixtures including 3 straight defeats without scoring. On their travels, the picture looks even more bleak, losing 4 and drawing 2 of their last 6 away matches including a defeat at Accrington and a mauling at Charlton.

Historically, we've only played Shrewsbury at home twice this century, winning once and losing once. That victory for Shrewsbury in 2015, courtesy of a late Jordan Clarke winner, was one of only two occasions where the Shrews have been victorious at Oakwell. In 21 visits, the reds have won on 15 occasions. We've won 10 of the last 11 meetings at Oakwell, stretching back to 1971.

But now onto the man who will no doubt be the star of the show, Geoff Eltringham. Averaging 3.3 yellows a game, and a red card pretty much every 8 games, it seems Geoff hasn't been too fussy this season. Mr Eltringham took charge of our home defeats to Cardiff and Forest last season, the latter being a game where we were actually awarded a penalty (remember those?). The season before, he refereed our first leg play off game with Swansea, and the home draw with Reading. The Reading game stands out in particular, as not only did he award us a penalty, but if I remember right, failed to give one for a similar incident to the one yesterday?

Anyway, enough about referee's and on to the Reds. I disagree with many in saying we're starting to look leggy. The lads left everything on the pitch yesterday, and if not for a couple of great saves from their keeper, we would have won the game comfortably on another day. Out of sorts Shrewsbury is exactly the side we need to face right now, and as we often score early at home, and go on to win comfortably, I'm going to be more specific with my prediction this time. I'm going for 3-0, with Norwood, Cole and Phillips all on target within the first 35 minutes.

You reds!!

 

An emphatic win!

 

A flat 0-0 as the players have a little lull reflecting on most likely missing out on a top 2 spot.

But then we see an improvement for the next game.

 

I'd be disappointed if the players did that, look at Plymouth coming back from behind yesterday away from home after the limp performance at Wembley.

 

1-1 stuttering to play offs and playing Wendies which will be horrific

 

I don’t think Duff and the coaching team will allow that. They’re always banging on about “winning the next half of football”.

 

2-0 reds.

Norwood and then a set piece goal. Maybe Mads.

 

A comfortable win, 2 or 3 nil.

 

We’re good at fours lately so here’s another one. 4-0

 

4-0 Reds.

 

3-0

 

5-0 reds. A brace each from JW and DC, and a Mads header.

 

1-2 loss as the Reds fail to overcome the preening, egotistical, unfit, awful, Barnsley-hating ref Eltringham despite an otherwise half-decent performance.

Eltringham responsible for one of the most disgusting refereeing performances I've ever witnessed when letting Swansea and in particular Freddie Woodman waste time at every juncture over the whole 90 minutes of the first leg play-off under Val.

Only three wins in his sixteen visits to Oakwell and one of them behind closed doors and another 12 years ago. Has sent off more Barnsley players than from any other club. Hand-picked I'd say.

 

A draw

 

We haven’t won from behind since beating Derby 18 months ago. Only gained 2 points all season from losing positions. That’s why the first goal is always key for us.

 

We can only play Wednesday in the final though, which I admit doesn’t bear thinking about.
We’d have to beat Bolton first over 2 legs which would be very tough.

 

1-0 - kane penalty

 

3-0. Comfortable win. Bounce back factor.

 

Easter Monday results for the last 10 years:

Won 3, drawn 1, lost 4. No football was played over Easter in 2020 due to the pandemic, and there was no game on Easter Monday 2018 for some reason.