UNPREDICTABLE Barnsley have had a stop-start season but it could explode into life at any minute.

Manager Dave Bassett is confident his side are about to turn the corner and he's hoping it starts at the Reebok on Saturday.

The Yorkshire team could certainly do with a winning run because every time they threaten to put a run of form together they promptly get beat.

Take their recent win at Preston, winning 2-1 at Deepdale against the League's form team. Then next game, away in the Worthington Cup at Second Division Stoke, they lost 3-2.

But despite the rollercoaster ride, Bassett's men are in a good league position, solidly encamped in mid-table but only a few points off the leading pack.

And up front they have one of the most promising strikers around.

Neil Shipperly was an England Under 21 during his time at Southampton but he never quite fulfilled his potential. Barnsley signed him for £700,000 and it has looked a good investment ever since.

This season he's on fire, scoring a goal every other game.

But he has needed to be on top form. Barnsley sold last season's top scorer Craig Hignett to Blackburn for £2m and Shipperly needs to fill the gap.

Also chipping in with goals are Bruce Dyer and youngster Lee Jones and with Mike Sheron in the squad there is no shortage of firepower.

Bassett is happy with his midfield too, former England international Geoff Thomas linking up well alongside Mitch Ward, a £200,000 signing from Everton. The experience that those two provide is vital and when they play well, so do Barnsley.

Last season Bassett's side finished fourth, behind Charlton, Manchester City and Ipswich but failed in the play-off's, thrashing Birmigham in the semi finals but agonisingly losing at Wembley to Ipswich.

While the East Anglian team have gone on to be the surprise package of the Premier League, Barnsley have had to start all over again in Division One. The Tykes may be still feeling the effects of that disappointment but if they're firing on all cylinders will be very difficult to stop.