BARNSLEY could equal their best post-war points tally after 20 games with victory tomorrow while head coach Neill Collins knows it is important they improve their home form and record against top sides.
The Reds are seventh in League One, two points off the play-off places and five off the top two.
They won 3-1 at lowly Reading on Saturday and are now due to host tenth-placed Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
They have lost just one of their last nine league games.
If they beat Charlton, they will have 37 points from 20 games which will be the most at that point since 1978/79 under Allan Clarke when adjusted to three points for a win.
The last time they had more points than 37 after 20 games was in 1938/39.
Barnsley’s next two games are at home to the Addicks then third-placed Stevenage on the next two Saturdays before Christmas.
It is a chance to build on their late win over Wycombe Wanderers in their last Oakwell game and gain victories over top ten sides for the first time this season.
They have lost every game against the other teams in the top eight and the highest-placed side they have defeated this season are Shrewsbury Town who are 11th.
Their home record is the 16th best in the division with four of their five defeats at Oakwell.
Collins told the Chronicle: “Hopefully by the end of the season we are beating teams from top to bottom, winning home and away, scoring loads of goals and not conceding.
“I don’t know what questions you will ask me then.
“We want our home form to be better and to be able to beat everyone in the league.
“It so happens our five defeats have come against teams around us but we have shown over the last ten to 15 games that we’re doing a lot right and hopefully we continue to show that.
“I think we’re in a better position now to compete with those higher teams. The players are as motivated as I am to show we can beat anyone. I hope we show that on Saturday.”
The Reds have conceded 17 goals in the last nine games in all competitions.
They have the best record in the division in the second half of games.
But they have fallen behind in four of their last five league games – three times in the opening five minutes.
Collins said: “You could call it a concentration thing.
“Is it an individual thing or team thing? We are trying to address it and hopefully we do.
“We’re very very good in the second half and, if we improve the first half, it will give us a full 90-minute performance.”
Collins also repeated the mantra of his chairman Neerav Parekh last week that Barnsley are very unlikely to sell 12-goal top-scorer Devante Cole in the January transfer window, despite his contract expiring next summer.
“It would take a serious sum of money, regardless of the contract situation, for us to part with Devante.
“He is an integral part of what we’re trying to achieve. I am convinced he will continue to score goals and do his best for Barnsley.”
After the two upcoming home games, Barnsley complete 2023 with trips to relegation-battling Port Vale on Boxing Day and Peterborough United, who are fourth, on December 29 before hosting mid-table Wigan Athletic on New Year’s Day.
The Reds – who launched half season tickets and flexi-tickets this week – have rearranged their home game with Carlisle United for Tuesday, January 16.
