New-look Barnsley will be a tough test for Wolves - Mick McCarthy

Dec 4 2007 By Paul Berry, Birmingham Mail

MICK McCarthy admits Wolves will be facing a much-changed Barnsley from the days when he distinguished his hometown club.

Gone is the reliance on Yorkshire grit and home advantage of an open stadium with gale blowing from one end to the other.

Instead the Tykes now possess a modern and well-equipped stadium and a carpet-like playing surface, in contrast to the early Eighties when McCarthy led them to promotion to the old Division Two.

But Oakwell remains a sturdy fortress, with Wolves putting their one defeat in 13 games on the line at a team Barnsley not having lost on home soil since the opening day of the season against Coventry.

They have also won their last three at home, including a dramatic 3-2 win against leaders Watford.

"Simon Davey has done really well with his team and even better because they are so cosmopolitan," said the Wolves boss. "Maybe global warming is having a positive effect because I remember from my time it was blooming cold in Barnsley in December!

"We used to make it difficult for people to come and play us and it's the same now because they've got good players.

"They'll be under pressure though as well, all teams are when they play at home.

"I know the Barnsley fans and they'll be expecting to beat us. We've also become a bit of a feather in people's caps, a prize for anyone, because of our position in the league."

McCarthy has the option of naming an unchanged team should he wish, with winger Matt Jarvis, now up to speed match-fitness wise, likely to be kept under wraps in terms of a start for just a little while longer.

"It was never going to be seamless for Matt to step right up to the plate but he's just about there now," said McCarthy.