Norwich take on Barnsley at home this weekend, in Alan Irvine’s second match in charge, and the first in which he will be in full control of the team selection.
Norwich come into this match eighth in the league, their season seemingly over as the play-offs look to be out of sight. They are still on the hunt for a permanent replacement for Alex Neil following his sacking last week. Barnsley sit in 11th place, without a win in their last five matches, and will hope to steal three points against an out of form City side.
Norwich have a surprising amount of history with Barnsley; with a high number of former players having played for and managed Barnsley at one point in their career.
Norwich have lost only one in their last twelve matches against Barnsley, but that’s no reason to be complacent, so let’s look at some familiar faces.
Jason Shackell
Shackell featured for Norwich from 2003-2009, gathering 132 appearances and three goals from defence. He played for Barnsley in the 2010-2011 season, captaining the team before playing at Derby and Burnley.
Alex Neil
Foermer manager Neil featured for Barnsley from 2000-2004, racking up 121 appearances as a combative midfielder in the centre of the park.
Alex helped the Tyke’s climb their way through lower leagues to get themselves well-established in the country.
Paul Heckingbottom
Current Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom played from 2002 through to 2003, although he only featured fifteen times in his one year tenure, he has played a large role for Barnsley in the last two years.
Jacob Butterfield
Butterfield progressed through Barnsley’s academy and continued to feature for them sporadically for five years before joining Norwich in 2012. He spent a lot of his time at Norwich on loan before moving on to greener Championship pasture.
Mark Robins
Former Norwich striker managed for Barnsley from 2009-2011, saving them from relegation twice before resigning. Robins is well known for scoring Norwich’s first ever Premier League goal, but he had a distinguished career, playing for twelve clubs, including stints in Spain and Greece.
Since his retirement, he has managed Rotherham, Scunthorpe, Coventry, Huddersfield, and of course; Barnsley.