Barnsley FC will be licking their lips at Bradford City reveal - Here’s why | OneFootball

Barnsley could be facing Bradford City at the best possible time following their incredible League One start

Barnsley face a tough trip to Bradford City next up, but the fixture may arrive at the best possible time for the Tykes.

The Bantams have been the surprise package in League One so far, with racing towards the top of the third-tier table following their long-awaited promotion last year.

Barnsley, on the other hand, may have hoped for slightly quicker beginnings, taking up an eighth-place spot as things stand, and now four points of the play-off places.

It looks a tricky fixture on paper, then, but an update from the Bradford camp may have given the visitors a big boost in this all-Yorkshire clash.

Bradford hit by triple injury threat

Bradford were in EFL Trophy action this week against Everton U21s, securing a confident 5-1 victory over the youngsters.

There were, however, a few notable absences – namely Bobby Pointon, Andy Cook and Nick Powell – and some smiles may have been dampened when Graham Alexander revealed why after the game.

Speaking about Cook to The Yorkshire Post, Alexander said “He reported a bit of stiffness Monday morning after that, and it was just the risk. He's on cue to train [on Wednesday].”

That sounds relatively positive as injury updates go, but the same cannot be said for the other two.

“Nick's picked up an injury, so he's going to see somebody today. He’s got a muscle strain,” the Bradford boss continued. “Bobby has picked up a knock as well. So we're going to assess him in the next couple of days as well.”

Bobby Pointon will be the player Barnsley want to avoid the most

While Alexander would ideally have all three at his disposal, it will be Pointon who he will most miss should he be sidelined for Barnsley’s visit.

The 21-year-old forward has made a strong impression on the third tier so far, scoring five goals and providing an assist, making him Bradford’s top scorer, with his strikes coming against top sides like Huddersfield Town and Luton Town.

Barnsley have been relatively porous at the back, conceding 14 goals in just 10 games, putting them 16th in the league in terms of goals conceded per match.

Up against a young, in-form forward like Pointon, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Tykes concede, so they will be delighted if they manage to avoid facing him this weekend.

League One will be watching Barnsley with intrigue

Few expected Bradford to be pitching themselves around the top of the League One table when promoted last year, and when they got off to a good start, the suspicion was that the intoxicating momentum of that promotion was carrying them through the first few games.

But now, 11 games in for the Bantams, their solid form does not appear to be letting up, a sign that they have perhaps been underrated, rather than performing above their station.

The likes of Cardiff City and Stockport County, directly below Bradford and Stevenage, are some of the sides most onlookers expected to be fighting it out for promotion before a ball was kicked, and fans of both will be hoping the latter pair are in a false early position.

So it falls to Barnsley to provide Bradford’s first big test. How will they cope without some of their key players? Is their squad deep enough?

A loss here for Bradford could kill their momentum, as those below them will be hoping for, but banking another win may serve to grow their confidence even stronger.