Barnsley v Gillingham: Scowen and company offer strike support

The Gills thrashed Sheffield United 4-0 on the opening day and sit third in the table, just a point off early leaders Burton Albion.

Few would have predicted a top six of Burton, Walsall, Gillingham, Coventry, Rochdale and Bury and Tykes midfield player Josh Scowen admits League One is a division where results are hard to predict.

To prove that point, Lee Johnson’s team have already beaten leaders Burton this season, yet were held to a 1-1 draw last weekend at strugglers Blackpool.

“It’s a division where anyone can beat anyone,” said Scowen. “We beat Burton and now they are top which shows it’s one of those examples where if you play well you can beat anyone.

“We’re playing attractive football and working hard on how to expose the opposition’s weaknesses.

“The manager wants goals from everywhere. If everyone can score goals we will win games, it doesn’t matter where they come from.

“As a midfielder myself, I know that we all need to get closer to the strikers because if we can get in the box it’s not putting all the pressure on them.

“We have got to be more positive and start shooting from around the box.”

Head coach Johnson is also expecting a tough Oakwell test against a Gill side who have a 100 per cent home record but who have won just once on their travels in four attempts.

Johnson said: “They’ve had a good start, and it’s another classic case of a group that’s been together a while, they know each other’s individual games, been solid and have scored a few goals.

“But we are at home and we are going to take the game to them,” he said.