The Internet Millers travel the short distance up the M1 to Barnsley in an attempt to keep up their 100% record this season. Something that certainly can’t be said about the RUFC team that plays at 3pm.
Vs: Barnsley IFA
Location: Barnsley RUFC and CC
Kick Off: 10:30
Meet: 10:00
Kit: Away (black)
After two 6-0 wins on the trot against Scunthorpe and Mansfield, the IMFC lads will be in buoyant mood ahead of their local derby against the Tykes. As IMFC have a 100% record of p5 w5 we can be sure that Barnsley will be fired up for the match in possible sub-arctic conditions.
The squad list looks healthy for the trip. Denti returns into the squad and will no doubt take the arm band back after a successful game as captain by El Yeard. Full squad list below:
Squad
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1. Burns
2. Andy P
3. Shark
4. JV
5. Jebu
6. Denti
7. Lee
8. Dan
9. Paul
10. Yeard
11. Gaz (prov)
12. Gilby
13. Scott
Duds, Adis and Aggie make up the 3 people missing from the victory against Mansfield. However, with the inclusion of Denti and strength in depth throughout the park, manager Andy P has a wealth of options open to him. A slight cause for concern is Gaz Elliot who picked up an injury last week and will undergo a late fitness test down at the pub on Friday night. After a MoM performance against Mansfield we all hope he recovers in time.
The backline will want to continue its good run of form, 2 clean sheets on a row and just 1 conceded since the opening game against Sheffield Wednesday. With a total of 4 goals conceded in 5 games it still remains the second best defence in the league, with QPR managing a shutout once again last week. Denti, Yeard, Paul El, Gilby and Jebu all have a wealth of experience in defence for Andy P to mull over in his team selection. Shark will be hoping to recreate his top performance a few Saturdays ago, as his handling of the local stripers’ breasts was superb.
In midfield there is a slight doubt about Gaz Elliot but hopefully he can shake off a nasty foot injury in time. Dan brings non-stop running and aggression to a midfield, which ensures the game will be played at a high tempo. Young Lee has proven his worth over the past seasons and will help keep the midfield ticking over. Scott and JV will provide natural width and the former has posed as a real attacking threat in the past few games. Player Manager Andy P can play in a wide or central role and adds a bit of quality passing and bite when needed, also an expert at long range left foot curlers into the top corner!
Once again both Chris and Jammer will be missing from the line up so high expectations of leading scorer Steve Burns to do the business. A welcome return up front for 45 minutes saw Jebu grab a quick brace which leaves manager Andy P with another attacking option. JV has also been utilised as a striker in the past with a good goal scoring record from midfield prompting the change.
In the league, IMFC remain in the same position as the last preview against Mansfield, 10th. This is due to no game last week and most of the top sides playing and picking up points.
There are now only two 100% records left in the league, both ourselves and usual suspects Millwall. Both Sheffield United and Hibernian got beat last week, putting us in a fantastic position to launch up the table over the coming months. Millwall, however, ran up a 14-0 win to move to the same record of p5w5 as IMFC.
Hearts suffered a bad result losing 4-3 at home to Dundee United, which ended their unbeaten record. However, both QPR and Bury charge on, both winning and remaining unbeaten with just the 1 draw.
League leaders Motherwell have raced onto 9 games played, winning 7 but already losing 2. Just behind them is Preston who have played an even more incredible 10 games! They will be sure to drop down the league as other teams play more games as they have a w4 d4 l2 record.
Finally in the league news, I wish Danny B all the best getting his Sheff U team back together after they folded a couple of weeks back. A shock loss to Darlington at home after winning every game previously, brought a few player issues to the fore and Danny decided to call it a day. IMFC have very strong, competitive games with the Blades and hopefully we can get the local derbies on as the dust settles later in the year.
We are looking forward to our visit to Barnsley in what will hopefully be a game played in the iFA spirit. Fingers crossed for a double of IMFC and RUFC victories but the latter victory seems unlikely given woeful defensive frailties.
Jebu