Barnsley are hoping to continue their excellent record at Birmingham City but expect a response from tomorrow night’s hosts who had a poor weekend.
The Blues lost 3-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and now have four points from three games, the same record as the Reds who have not lost in five visits to St Andrew’s including three wins.
Coach Chris Stern, who did the pre-match press conference, said: “There is only one goal that separates us in the league table. I was told we have a very good record at Birmingham and we bring a lot of supporters so we hope we can make them happy.
“They had a blow in Nottingham like we had against Carlisle last week (a 3-0 home EFL Cup defeat). We need to be aware that they will try to get up from that blow. They hope they will show a much better performance and we hope we can keep our good record against them.
“It’s not much about the tactics, they want to show in their own ground that it was a bad performance on Saturday. It is about mentality and character for them and for us."
Barnsley's only other away game so far saw them lose 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday. He said: “It’s difficult after you lost one game away to change too many things. We have our philosophy and we need to change small details. But we go there to win the game.”
This will be Barnsley’s fourth game in 11 days after league matches against Wednesday and Charlton either side of the EFL Cup loss.
“It is a great test for the guys, especially physically. Early in the season it is more difficult. But it is good to help us get us get in a rhythm and a flow to play, play, play, play.”
Central midfielder Alex Mowatt missed the draw with Charlton Athletic on Saturday with a side injury. Stern said: “He has a chance to play tomorrow. He will be assessed then we will make a decision after training. If players get injured, we need to have replacements. Alex is a key player and we cannot totally replace him so everybody has to replace him on the pitch.It shows we have a good squad and players who can step up. That was one of our big strengths last season.”
Patrick Schmidt, the Austrian striker who signed earlier in the month, could make his debut tomorrow after being an unused substitute on Saturday.
Schmidt said: “I think Birmingham City has more than 20,000 supporters every game and that is something new to me. I know they have Kristian Pedersen who played at Union Berlin with my cousin Philipp Hosiner. I talked to him about what I can do against Pedersen. I will be ready to play if the coach needs me but I won’t stress about it. If he wants me, I will do my best.”
Schmidt scored 15 goals in 64 games for Admira Wacker in the Austrian Bundesliga. He said: “I think I will do very well here. I like the players and I like the city. I am in the Premier Inn and I will get a flat here.
“It is a big dream for me. I always wanted to play in England which is the mother country of football. I just played in Austria before and it is my first time not living in my parents house. There are a lot of differences. We have smaller stadiums with not as many fans as Oakwell. It is very fast here in England, you have no rime to rest. You always press and if you get the ball there are two defenders next to you. It is more instinctive. It might take time but I like the challenge.”
