Don't take Tykes for granted, says Bristol City star Nyatanga
Having spent a formative season on loan at Oakwell during the 2007-08 campaign, Bristol City's Wales international centre-back knows better than to be taken in by the stereotypical perception of this particular northern town.
Comparisons with some of the Championship's more lofty inhabitants are inevitably unkind and the less discerning might be tempted to regard Barnsley as unfashionable poor relations.
But Nyatanga is rather more appreciative of Oakwell's charms and feels the Tykes have been misrepresented.
"I know Barnsley has this image, but it's a bit misplaced as far as I'm concerned," said Nyatanga, who compares his former club with Bristol City.
"It's a great club and just like City in some ways. Barnsley is a family- orientated club and very friendly. There is this great sense of community and everybody knows one another.
"I've been made to feel really welcome since coming to Bristol and it was exactly the same when I was at Barnsley."
Considered too young and inexperienced to be risked by Derby County during their brief flirtation with the Premier League, Nyatanga was instead farmed out to Barnsley to gain valuable first-team experience in the second tier.
"I'll always be grateful to Simon Davey (former manager), because he showed faith in me and gave me the chance to play regular first team football at a good level," recalls Nyatanga.
"I learned a lot in my time at Oakwell and I really enjoyed the experience."
Although Davey has since parted company with the Yorkshire club and been replaced by Mark Robins, the Tykes continue to play a brand of football at odds with their lowly position.
"Like all teams in the Championship, Barnsley have some very skilful and talented individuals, players who can hurt you if you stand off them and allow them to play," says Nyatanga.
"When I was there, we always tried to get the ball down and play attractive football."
City head to Oakwell in search of a first away win in the Championship since Reading were beaten 2-0 at the Madjeski Stadium way back in February. Nyatanga insists he and his team-mates will be in confident mood following Tuesday's morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle.
"That was just the result and performance we needed," said the defender. "It's never easy to win away from home and we've had some good draws against teams near the top without quite being able to get that elusive win.
"It's vital we improve our away form if we want to climb the table and we're confident we can get a result at Barnsley."
Apart from long-term casualties Liam Fontaine and Brian Wilson, City boss Gary Johnson has a full squad.
City (from): Gerken, Orr, Carey, McCombe, Nyatanga, McAllister, Hartley, Skuse, Sno, Johnson, Elliott, Williams, Sproule, Haynes, Maynard, Saborio, Clarkson, Akinde, Basso.
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