Gerhard Struber has told his players not to think about their winning return to action and focus on the next game as they begin a ‘very difficult’ schedule of eight matches in less than four weeks during their fight to stay up.
The Reds are 23rd in the Championship, four points from safety, after they began the re-start with a 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday which cut the gap from seven and took them off last place.
They are now due to host two sides with ambitions of the play-offs when they welcome, to an empty Oakwell, Millwall from 1pm tomorrow then Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday from 6pm.
Struber told the Chronicle: “The mood had been very good before QPR and it is very good again now.
“But we all know we have to reproduce this performance in the next game.
“We have a good feeling but we can’t talk about the last game anymore, we picked up the necessary points and now we look forward to the next games.”
But Struber added: “The win gives everyone a good feeling and the right confidence to go with power in the right direction. We have massive games in the next week. We need good confidence and a good spirit together.
“Victories are always more doable when you have more confidence. We need more victories and points and more performances like at QPR.”
Barnsley’s win brought them within four points of struggling Hull City and Middlesbrough – who appointed Neil Warnock this week – and five behind Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic.
Some of those clubs are playing without key players for the remainder of the season due to contract issues but Barnsley have only let a few players go.
Struber said: “Many clubs around the relegation zone are involved.
“With our performance, we can have a big influence on many clubs to get them involved in the fight.
“QPR was the first step and now we focus on climbing out of this zone.
“We don’t have any problems with the squad and we don’t lose energy in other ways and that could be an advantage for us.
“We need to take a long breath in this final situation.
“Every player needs the right motivation and a lot of resilience.
“We have very good players and also players with the right mental situation which is very important at this time.
“Everyone is ready and everyone helps each other.
“This could be a big advantage. “
Tomorrow’s match is the first in a run of eight games in 25 days until the season finishes on July 22.
Struber told the Chronicle: “It is very difficult and the demand is very high on every player.
“It is a challenge to bring in the right players with the right load. We need a rotation and also a good structure in every game.
“This is my challenge but the good thing is it is not only for Barnsley, it is for every team.
“I am convinced we will do a good job with rotation and good recovery. It is very very important.”
Struber gave young midfielder Romal Palmer a professional debut on Saturday with many other former under 23s players also involved.
He said: “We have very very good young players with high potential.
“Romal showed me he is a big talent and he showed me a professional performance.
“The Millwall game is a big test for him and the whole team.
“We have so many young talented players and I have a big convictions about them but they need also good leaders alongside them to develop.”
Meanwhile, Barnsley’s local rivals Sheffield Wednesday have spent the week contesting a misconduct charge relating to financial fair play.
A points deduction this season could plunge the Owls – who are currently eight points above the drop zone – into the relegation fight.
