BARRY Murphy was back at Oakwell in his club ambassador role on Monday and believes Barnsley can get their first win at Swansea City today since he was captain almost half a century ago.
The Reds have not won at the Welsh club in 12 visits – with ten defeats and two draws – since a 3-0 Division Four success under Jim Iley in the old Vetch Field ground in August 1974.
They travel to the Liberty Stadium hoping to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at Oakwell and reach the Championship play-off final. Murphy told the Chronicle: “It’s only half-time.
“We play well away from home.
“The lads will go there and give everything.
“We definitely still have a chance of getting to the final at Wembley and that would fantastic for the club and the town.
“The last time we won at Swansea is so long ago that I was the captain and I can’t even remember the game.
“But hopefully they can go there and do it.”
Barry was hosting in the Legends Suite in the East Stand, for the first time since the Reds went behind-closed-doors last year.
“It was great to be back at Oakwell and watching football again.
“I thought we were unlucky.
“The player who scored for Swansea (Andre Ayew) cost them more than our whole team put together. I thought the officials were a bit one-sided and I didn’t agree with some of the decisions they made.
“We can’t moan and groan about losing one game to Swansea after the season we have had.”
Barry – the Reds’ all-time record appearance-maker – has enjoyed following the Reds from home this season.
“I keep saying we have had a fantastic season.
“I have watched nearly every match on iFollow and the team has been brilliant.
“They have some outstanding players like Michal Helik, the wing-backs, and Daryl Dike and Carlton Morris.
“Morris changed the game on Monday night and I think he will be a fantastic asset for Barnsley in the future.
“I just hope we can keep this team together and the manager Valerien Ismael who is a bit special.
“It’s just great to be involved with Barnsley Football Club at the moment.
“The club is getting fantastic publicity for what they have achieved this season.
“The manager and these players, as well as the chief executive Dane Murphy, have put Barnsley well and truly back on the football map.
“Who would have thought, last summer when we had to go down to Brentford and win to stay up, that we would be anywhere near the play-offs?”
