Ismael’s men have first shot at the Blues
BARNSLEY 1 NORWICH CITY 0
BOTH managers left Oakwell on Saturday night with ambitions of taking on the Premier League big boys Chelsea.
But for Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael and his Norwich counterpart Daniel Farke forthcoming events will determine whether the respective dreams come true.
For Ismael, it was a case of waiting for Frank Lampard’s side to overcome Luton Town yesterday – which they duly did – to set up a home tie in the fifth round. For Farke, it is heads down for the rest of the campaign after this cup exit to regain their place in the top flight.
And for that to happen the German has to hope that key players such as Emi Buendia and Max Aarons – both already the subject of much interest from the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich
– remain beyond the January transfer window.
But Farke insisted: “We are quite relaxed because we won’t be forced into anything because we have players on long-term contracts.”
In fact, it is more likely that the Canaries will spend rather than sell, especially after Jordan Hugill picked up an injury and with goal-machine Teemu Pukki is currently in the treatment room. “There’s hope that Teemu can rejoin us in training in the week.We will have to assess Jordan’s injury. I expect him to miss the Middlesbrough game [on Saturday] but hopefully not many more,” said Farke.
Barnsley’s Callum Styles earned a well-taken 55th minute goal after a cross from Callum Brittain, and Ismael said: “I’m delighted he is back from his deep sleep from the past few weeks. He has to stay at this level now.”