Barnsley visit Port Vale

The Reds have been going through a bit of a sticky patch recently and will be hoping to gain a valuable three points when they visit League One’s bottom club. 

Conor Hourihane’s men ended a three-game losing run with a point at Wigan and will be hoping they can follow up on an improved second half display. 

After the Wigan game, Conor Hourihane said: “I expect a really good reaction from minute one to minute ninety at Port Vale.” 

Barnsley currently sit 16th in League One, two points above the relegation zone. 

As for Port Vale, they sit bottom of the division nine points off safety. 

They are coming off the back of a 5-1 home win over Blackpool, where they went 1-0 down before Blackpool got a red card at the end of the first half. 

They hadn’t won in 11 games in the league before that, with their last win coming away at Oakwell in September. 

Darren Moore was sacked after a 5-0 defeat away at Huddersfield on Boxing Day and Jamie Smith has taken charge of the Valiants assisted by former Reds assistant coach Martin Devaney. 

They have former Barnsley striker Devante Cole who has 8 goals in all competitions this season and former Barnsley loanee Joe Gauci. 

Port Vale have beaten Barnsley twice already this season, winning 2-0 at Oakwell in September in the league and 5-0 at Vale Park in the EFL Trophy in December.