The Game
Argyle vs Barnsley. Home Park. Saturday, 12 September. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Barnsley finished last season in 15th under Conor Hourihane, who subsequently left Oakwell by mutual agreement. This meant it was another summer with another fresh start for the Tykes, or so it seemed. Cue the return of former promotion-winning manager Daniel Stendel.
In his last stint in charge of Barnsley, the German led them to the Championship, the same place he will be hoping to take them this time around. It’s been a mixed start to the season for the Tykes, reaching the third round of the Carabao Cup after beating both Wigan Athletic and Crewe Alexandra, but failing to win in the league until the third attempt.
That win came against Leyton Orient; they followed it up with victory against strong-starting Blackpool. It appeared Barnsley were building a head of steam, that was until they lost 5-1 at Oakwell against Stevenage last weekend, a brutal reminder of the task ahead for Stendel.
His youthful side will look good when they win but are likely to face slip-ups along the way. They come to Home Park this weekend needing a reaction from that heavy defeat before tough tests against Leicester City and Bradford City, and a chance to reach Carabao Cup Round Four with a cup tie against Peterborough United.
The Gaffer
Now in his second spell as Barnsley manager, Daniel Stendel has taken a long route back to Oakwell. The 52-year-old German began his career as a striker, spending many of his playing days with Hannover 96. He made more than 180 appearances for the club and even won promotion to the Bundesliga in 2002.
It was at Hannover that Stendel first developed his coaching credentials, moving into the club’s academy after retiring as a player. He worked across the academy before stepping up to first-team level in 2016, giving him an early opportunity to manage in Germany’s top flight.
His next chapter came at Barnsley. Appointed in 2018, Stendel transformed Saturday’s visitors into one of Sky Bet League One’s most entertaining sides, combining attacking football with a high intensity approach. The reward was promotion to the Championship in his first full season.
After being sacked midway through the 2019/20 campaign, Stendel had spells in Scotland with Hearts and in France with Nancy, before returning to Hannover to oversee the club’s second team. Now back at Barnsley, the German has experienced a mixed start to his second spell. Two wins in the league offered encouragement, but last weekend’s 5-1 loss against Stevenage was a reminder of how punishing the third tier can be.
The Squad
Former England youth-international Reyes Cleary is a graduate of the West Bromwich Albion academy, the club where he spent the entirety of his junior career. After impressing for the Baggies Under-18s and Under-23s in Premier League 2, he was rewarded with a professional contract. Loans followed at Walsall and Hartlepool United, the latter where he scored six times in 20 games during 2024/25. Barnsley recruited the 22-year-old permanently last summer, bringing him to Oakwell where he has since shone, scoring nine times and assisting 17.
Club captain Cameron McGeehan began his career at Norwich City and spent time out on loan with Cambridge United and Luton Town. It would be the latter whom McGeehan would join permanently, going on to make 106 total appearances for the Hatters. Next came two-and-a-half years at Barnsley, during which periods were spent on loan at Scunthorpe United and Portsmouth, before a move to Belgian side Oostende. After three seasons playing in the Belgian First Division, McGeehan arrived at Colchester United. Ten goals in 39 games during his only season in Essex prompted a move to Northampton Town ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Two years came at Sixfields before McGeehan returned to Barnsley this summer.
Northern Ireland international Patrick Kelly started his career at Coleraine before moving to West Ham United in 2022. He initially featured for the Hammers Under-18s before being loaned to Doncaster Rovers. In that spell, Rovers and Kelly won Sky Bet League Two, rounding off a successful spell in South Yorkshire. Last summer, the attacking midfielder signed for Barnsley, where he has since featured over 50 times, scoring three goals and assisting seven.
Previous Meeting
It was only in April that the two sides last met in Sky Bet League One action at Oakwell. With the season nearing its conclusion, results were imperative for Argyle, whereas Barnsley did not have much to play for at this point. That showed in the game; Owen Oseni put the Greens ahead on 16 minutes before Lorent Tolaj made it two just before the hour mark. The result was sealed 11 minutes from time, Oseni converting a penalty to make it 3-0.
The Strip
Argyle will be wearing their green home kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Supporters unable to attend Argyle's Sky Bet League One fixture against Barnsley on Saturday can follow the action live on Argyle TV.
Our hour-long pre-match show will be live on Argyle TV and YouTube from 2pm.
2pm - Erin Black and Aaron Cusack are joined by Brian McGlinchey and special guest Dan Thompson for the Pre-Match Show, bringing you all the team news, exclusive interviews, and thoughts from inside the camp.
3pm - Kick-off at Home Park, with live commentary from Rob McNichol, who will be joined on co-commentary by Katie Middleton.
UK & Ireland Supporters
Due to EFL broadcast regulations, live video streaming is unavailable in domestic territories. However, you can listen to every Argyle game live throughout the season with an Argyle TV subscription - available for £5.50 per month or £55 for the year.
If you’re not a subscriber, you can still purchase an individual audio match pass for £2.50.
International Supporters
Live video streaming is available overseas - You can watch every Argyle game live with an Argyle TV International subscription, available for £30 per month or £200 for the year.
If you prefer, you can buy an individual video match pass for £10 per game.
Audio match passes are also available overseas for £2.50, giving you full commentary wherever you are in the world.
Click here to access Argyle TV and view our subscription and match pass options.
