BARNSLEY 2018/19

League Position: 2nd in Sky Bet League One (promoted)

Average league attendance: 12,527

Top league goal-scorer: Kieffer Moore (17)

Barnsley succeeded in returning to the second tier at the first-time of asking following their final day relegation 12 months ago. Under Daniel Stendel, little known on these shores before his arrival at Oakwell last June, The Tykes ended the season as League One runners-up, based on a formidable home record.

Stendel's side remained unbeaten at Oakwell all campaign, conceding just 16 goals in 23 league matches. Away from home they were equally as watertight, shipping just a goal a game. That's not to say they weren't without attacking talent, Kieffer Moore and Cauley Woodrow both passed the 15 goal mark as promotion was secured with a game to spare.

Such was Barnsley's consistency last season, they only spent one week outside the top six all campaign. After that dip in December, The Tykes embarked on a four-month, 20 match unbeaten run which culminated in the promotion party at Bristol Rovers.

THE GROUND

Oakwell Stadium

Miles from Brentford: 185

Capacity: 23,287

Address: Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET

How to get there

THE MANAGER

Daniel Stendel didn't bring the best of track records with him when he arrived at Oakwell last summer. A striker during his playing days, the German is best remembered for a seven-year spell with Hannover 96 during the early 2000s, which included promotion to the Bundesliga in 2002.

After retiring in 2008, Stendel worked with the Under-19s at Hannover until being given the main job in April 2016 with The Reds struggling at the bottom of the Bundesliga. He failed to avoid relegation and was then sacked the following March as 96 sat just outside the 2.Bundesliga promotion places. His teams are characterised by their attacking, high-pressing nature, something Barnsley fans have delighted in seeing this campaign.

THE KEY MAN

Standing at 6'4" tall, Ethan Pinnock was a commanding presence at the back during a record breaking season defensively for The Tykes. The London-born defender broke into the First-Team at Dulwich Hamlet aged just 16, going on to make more than 200 appearances before leaving in 2016 after six years at the club.

A promotion-winning year with Forest Green followed, before he was picked up by Barnsley in July 2017. Pinnock made just 12 appearances as the South Yorkshire club lost their Championship status in May 2018, but was an ever-present last season, picking up the Club's Player of the Year prize, as The Tykes registered a record 21 league clean sheets.

LAST TIME

HEAD TO HEAD

Brentford wins: 23

Draws: 21

Barnsley wins: 13

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