Newcastle, looking for a Championship record 8^th straight win, visit Barnsley, the club with the longest  history in the second tier after 69 seasons there. Can the Toon continue their winning ways?

After a slow start to the season, with only 1 point from the first 18 and a mere 3 goals, new manager Mark Robins has guided the Tykes to mid table respectability, and but for the late abaondoned match at Plymouth, could be knocking on the door of a playoff place.

Robins will be remembered as being a part of Sir Alex’s first trophy winning team at Old Trafford in 1990. His goal in the 3^rd round that year was credited with saving Sir Alex from the sack. He last played under Nigel Clough at Burton Albion.

Having started his managerial career at another former club, Rotherham, his impressive record led to his appointment at near neighbours, Barnsley. Having lost his first game in charge, only 3 other managers have accumulated more points in this league over their last 13 games.

Oakwell has proved to be a challenging place to visit in the league over the years. With a solitary Premier League draw, despite a few League cup successes, the only other league win at Oakwell came just before Keegan’s arrival as a player, a resounding 5-0 success. It will always be remembered, however, as the ground where Peter B scored his first for Newcastle.

Looking to keep the Magpies at bay will be goalkeeper Luke Steele, formerly a ManU reserve team mate of Danny Simspon. Most of Steele’s league experience was gained whilst on loan at Newcastle’s last opponents, Coventry. Whilst initially on loan a couple of seasons ago, he is remembered for a man of the match performance at Anfield in the FA Cup, and keeping Chelsea at bay, on their way to an FA Cup semi.

Robert Kozluck, who spent most of his career at the nearby Blades, is expected to slot in at right back. The rest of the defence are on loan from Premier League teams, Dickinson and Shotton the youngsters from Stoke City, and Nathan Doyle from Hull City.

Captain, right back/midfielder Stephen Foster, supports a cosmopolitan midfield, in the shape of Argentine Hugo Colace, alongside Brazilian, Anderson da Silva. Former Liverpool reserve and team mate of Danny Guthrie, Adam Hammill is expected to complete the line up, with Jamaican international, Jamal Campbell-Ryce on standby, as is the third Icelandic international who Newcastle could face in successive games, Emil Halfredsson.

The attacking line will be led by top scorer in all competitions, Libyan born son of Serb parents, Maltese international Daniel Bogdanovic. Vying for the other place is joint top league scorer with 4, journeyman Scottish international Andy Gray, who also played for Sunderland. Also in contention is John Macken, once signed for £5m by Keegan at Man City, and scorer of the final goal in an amazing FA Cup winning comeback from 3-0 against Spurs after Joey Barton had been sent off.

Looking to keep Barnsley at bay will be the now customary back five for Newcastle, Harper in goal with Simpson, Steve Taylor, Coloccini and Enrique. The target will be to equal the 5 game clean sheet run, achieved earlier in the season, and further delay the 6,000^th league goal against Newcastle. Barnsley have only failed to score at home in the league once against Newcastle.

Helping them from midfield will certainly be Alan Smith, although Butt could find himself on the bench again, following Kevin Nolan’s return from suspension. Jonas, making his 50^th appearance in all competitions, has made the left wing his own, whilst the right berth faces competition from Pancrate, looking for his first away goal, Danny Guthrie and potentially Ryan Taylor.

Hughton faces a wonderful dilemma up front, with 4 of his strikers scoring in the last 2 games. With 5 goals from 5 starts this season, Ameobi appears to be an automatic selection, needing 2 more goals to equal John Tudor’s tally in all competitions.

Lovenkrands appears to be the man in possession of the supporting stiker role, with Ranger also having broken his duck against Coventry. Harewood seems to be ahead of the allegedly disgraced Carroll for the bench.

Referee for the occasion is Graham Salisbury, whose last time out in a Newcastle match was the 0-0 home draw with Bristol City, with a Magpies strong penalty appeal denied. Prior to that was a home League Cup match – against Barnsley in August 2007, with the Toon winning 2-0.

Salisbury is a Lancashire based engineer, who has yet to hit the very top, despite being on the national list since 2001. Barnsley will be pleased to see him for his 7^th visit to Oakwell, having drawn 1 and won all 5 other home matches under him, as well as winning away at local rivals Doncaster earlier this season. With an average of under 2 cards per game, including 3 reds during Lincoln v Cheltenham, he should let things flow.

The referee has handled 6 draws in his last 10 matches, and given the record in this fixture in the 2^nd tier, combined with recent form, a draw will be strongly backed. Recent late wins for Barnsley against Blackpool and Cardiff suggest the home team will push all the way, but with a number of records at stake, and the massive away support, a dogged Newcastle team could just sneak it.

Newcastle are already guaranteed to be top at Christmas – every team that has been there this milennium has gained promotion. A draw would be enough to secure a promotion spot at least until after the New Year, whilst a win and any points dropped by West Brom on Monday will ensure that the Toon are top into 2010.

Newcastle in Barnsley

P18 W3 D7 L8 F18 A25

2^nd tier

P13 W1 D5 L7 F13 A19

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