In a rare feature we focus on our opponents Barnsley, whom in what has so far been an average season for the Reds has been somewhat overshadowed by an overwhelming FA Cup run which has seen them land a place in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley Stadium.
There journey began in the third round with a home 2-1 win over Blackpool before a stunning Jamal Campbell-Ryce goal at a very cold Southend United in round four saw the former mining town set a date at Anfield.
Little would expect that the Mighty Reds would have been booted out of the FA Cup goal in the last minute of normal time by a winger who was bought cheaply from Swindon Town.
Having said that not many would believe that non-league Havent & Waterloovile - the true heroes of this years FA Cup would find themselves 2-1 in front against the European giants, they eventually won the game 5-2 to set up a tie with Barnsley.
Dirk Kuyt had handed the home side a 32nd minute lead but Stephen Foster (57) headed home in front of the famous Kop end before Brian Howard (90) twisted and turned before beating the opposition keeper at his near post to send the Reds into round five.
In what was a great performance, a poor outing by Chelsea saw the Tykes beat the Blues 1-0 with a goal by Kayode Odejayi, the cousin of former Sheffield United & Wolves striker Ade Akinbiyi.
And, after their successful 2-0 victory at Middlesbrough the South Yorkshire outfit will contest the FA Cup Semi-Final against Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium on 6th April 2008, Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion will fight it out a day earlier.
Whilst success has blossomed in the Worlds greatest cup competition Simon Davey has comfortably steered the Oakwell side to a safe region in the Championship. Although not mathematically safe from relegation we believe that they will do enough to maintain their Championship status.
In the league they have had a rock & roll season with a 4-1 home defeat to Coventry City on the opening day of the season setting the tone for a difficult campaign, yet ten home wins and seven draws have so far been enough to keep the dreaded drop zone at bay.
Last summer Barnsley invested heavily with little money to spend and relied on mainly free transfers - one of those was Robert Kozluk who had just been released by the Blades following their relegation from the Premier League whilst Heinz Muller was recruited from Lillestrom and has made immediate impact and making good interest from the top flight.
The Reds have a good defence which proved effective against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea and shouldn't be underestimated with Stephen Foster leading the line along with Marciano Van Homoet, Robert Kozluk and Lewin Nyatanga in a strong line up.
Brian Howard, who has attracted interest from Everton is the clubs leading marksman with 13 goals to his tally this season and is an obvious threat to any defence, the former Chelsea trainee can operate in central-midfield,.
New recruit Diego León is highly rated by the Oakwell faithful - a former Real Madrid youth player the Spaniard was signed from Swiss club Grasshoppers last January and can play in the middle with ex-Evertonian Anderson de Silva. midfielder Martin Devaney, the hero of the game against Chelsea is most dangerous on the wing with swooping crosses but lacks ability in front of goal.
In January Simon Davey completed the £200,000 transfer of Jon Macken from Derby County after a successful loan spell and is likley to line-up against the Blades along with either Hungarian Isvran Ferenczi or Kayode Odejayi with Daniel Nardiello in reserve.
Barnsley have the nucleolus of a decent squad, with potential of improving should the money raised through the FA Cup be invested wisely next season.