FA CUP PREVIEW

After another priceless victory in the Championship last weekend away at Middlesbrough, the Reds have the welcome distraction of the FA Cup this Saturday as we head south for Milton Keynes, in a 5th Round clash with the MK Dons. 

Around 4,000 Tarn supporters are expected to make the journey, hoping to cheer on the boys to victory and into a potentially lucrative Quarter Final meeting with a Premier League giant. 

It's difficult not to get ahead of ourselves, considering the fine form we're currently witnessing from David Flitcroft's rejuvenated Reds. 

But the FA Cup doesn't take form or reputations into consideration, and our opponents tomorrow are no mugs as they've already shown in dispatching of our friends from S6, and Harry Redknapp's Queens Park Rangers in previous rounds of this years competition. 

But it's an exciting time to be a Tarn supporter, and after a nightmarish 2012, I think the fans, the town and everyone connected with Barnsley FC deserve to dream of things we were told were 'impossible'. 

The 'adventure' continues...

Milton Keynes Dons were formed in 2004 out of the ashes of former FA Cup winners Wimbledon. 

After initially using the National Hockey Stadium in the town, the club have played their home fixtures since 2007 at the purpose built 'Stadium MK' in Buckinghamshire. 

Initially, the club claimed the history of Wimbledon as it's own, but from 2007 they've since stated they're a new club. 

The Dons have spent their 5 year history in the lower leagues, and currently sit 12th in League One, 10 points off the playoffs. 

They won the League Two title in 2008, and lifted the Football League Trophy, beating Grimsby Town 2-0 at Wembley in the final. 

Current players Dean Lewington and David Martin are the only players remaining from the Wimbledon era, although the latter has had a spell at Liverpool in between. 

Izale McLeod has scored more goals for the club than anyone else - 54 - and after a rather nomadic few years he's recently returned to Milton Keynes on a free transfer. 

The Dons have had 6 managers since their formation, including former Reds legend Danny Wilson, the outspoken Martin Allen, and Roberto Di Matteo who last season guided Chelsea to European glory. 

The current incumbent is Karl Robinson, who when appointed in May of 2010 was the youngest manager in the Football League at 29 years of age. 

As of the 12th of February this year, he has a win percentage of 46.67% from 150 games in charge. 

Former Barnsley lad Antony Kay joined The Dons last Summer, but the maker of 174 appearances for Tarn is suspended for this weekends clash. 

Other notable players currently plying their trade at Stadium MK - former Leeds and Manchester United man Alan Smith, another former Red Devil in winger Luke Chadwick, and a plethora of ex Sheffield Wednesday stars including Jon Otsemebor, Darren Potter, Chris Lines and Ryan Lowe. 

Stadium MK was opened in 2007 by the Queen. 

It's situated in the Denbigh district of Milton Keynes and is often referred to locally as the 'Denbigh Stadium'. 

It is an all seater stadium with a capacity of 22,000, with further plans to increase that capacity by another 10,000 seats at the end of this season. 

For travel details, how to get in and out etc, I suggest clicking the following link - Football Ground Guides (Stadium MK). 

Former Red Antony Kay is suspended

Back in the Summer of 2004, we were the first competitive opponents for the newly branded MK Dons. I was in attendance myself, and the main memory I have of that day was the scorching heat. I also recall debuts for many of our players, none more so than that of one Bobby Hassell, who has gone on to earn legendary status since, and is obviously the only remaining Barnsley player from that red hot day at the National Hockey Stadium. 

Here's a match report of the game, courtesy of the Guardian - MK Dons Vs Barnsley 2004. 

The Dons will be without Ryan Lowe (on loan from Sheffield Wednesday) who along with Antony Kay sits out the final game of a suspension. 

Recent recruit Izale McLeod is cup-tied after featuring already for Portsmouth in the competition. 


Possible lineup: Martin, Otsemebor, MacKenzie, Williams, Lewington, Powell, Potter, Harley, Chadwick, Smith, Bowditch. 




The referee for the tie is Premier League regular Michael Jones. 

The 44 year old from Chester is probably most well-known for allowing then Sunderland striker Darren Bent's goal to stand against Liverpool, despite the ball taking a huge deflection off a beach ball thrown onto the pitch by Liverpool supporters. 

He was fourth official in last years FA Cup final. 

He's taken charge of 22 matches this season, dishing out 65 bookings and 2 red cards. 

Michael Jones booking a familiar face

Despite a pretty busy period, it's refreshing to see an almost fully fit squad at Flicker's disposal, with only Stephen Dawson a long term injury victim. 

There was however an update on Mad Dog's progress this week, where the manager admitted he was struggling to temper Dawson's enthusiasm for a quick return. Despite the Irishman's claim that he's only 2 weeks away from a comeback, Flicker says it's more likely to be 4 weeks, but that he's progressing well. 

I think a lot of us expected him to dip into the loan market to cover for Dawson's loss, but the form of Kelvin Etuhu in central midfield has put paid to that. It seems that like Chris Dagnall, Martin Cranie, Tom Kennedy and Marlon Harewood before him, Kelvin is a different player since Flicker took the reins at Oakwell. 

In fact, after decent performances against Burnley and Leeds United I suppose you could add Jimmy McNulty to that list. And so it's pleasing to see the defender back in contention after missing the last couple of weeks through injury. We're certainly not short of options ahead of tomorrow. 

I don't think Reuben Noble-Lazarus will be risked, though. The 19 year old starlet has been suffering with a niggle lately and perhaps this game comes a week too soon for him. 
It was however great to hear that the lad had signed a new contract this week, a deal which ties him down until the Summer of 2015. 

Jacob Mellis could start tomorrow

With a vital league clash to come on Tuesday at Oakwell with relegation rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, I wouldn't be surprised to see one or two changes to the starting lineup tomorrow in Milton Keynes. 

The likes of Hassell and McNulty could be in contention, and perhaps that gives Flicker the opportunity to rest Stephen Foster and Rory Delap. 

I think Jacob Mellis has been unlucky of late not to be starting, and again, perhaps that gives the manager a chance to give Jim O'Brien a bit of a breather. 

Then there's the forwards. You wouldn't drop either of Dagnall or Harewood normally, but maybe Jason Scotland could be rewarded for his goalscoring exploits from the bench. 

I think Flicker will welcome these selection headaches. 


Personally, I'd make just two changes - Hassell for Foster, Mellis for O'Brien. 

But I'm more than confident that whoever the manager selects will have enough to see off an average League One side. 

That's your lot for this edition of the blog, and so I'll wish everyone travelling down to Buckinghamshire tomorrow a safe and prosperous journey. 

I hope to see Oakwell rocking on Tuesday night, too, in what is in my opinion the biggest game so far this season. Although I'm sure there will be plenty more that surpass it for importance as we edge towards the seasons end. 

We've still got everybody's favourite away day to come... as we make the short trip over to Sheffield at the end of next month, and the season finale at Huddersfield in May just got a whole lot more interesting with their appointment of former Reds gaffer Mark Robins. 

As I've already said, it's exciting being a Tarn supporter again. 

All aboard the 'adventure'. 

Wow. 


UP THE TARN!