Barnsley have laid down the challenge to promotion rivals Portsmouth to win their last three matches of the season – the only scenario which could keep the Reds out of the top two should they also collect maximum points.
Daniel Stendel’s side have won their last three games, after beating both Shrewsbury Town and Plymouth Argyle over the Easter weekend, which keeps them in League One’s second automatic promotion place. They are two clear of Portsmouth – who have won seven in a row – but the south coast club have a game in hand, as do fourth-placed Sunderland who slipped four points behind the Reds after conceding an injury-time leveller at Peterborough United on Monday.
Portsmouth visit Sunderland tomorrow before hosting Peterborough on Tuesday then Accrington Stanley the following Saturday – and three wins would mean the Reds cannot catch them. Barnsley host mid-table Blackpool in their last home game tomorrow before concluding the league season on May 4 at Bristol Rovers who will hope to secure their safety from relegation tomorrow.
Head coach Stendel said: “If Portsmouth win the last three games, they deserve automatic promotion. We have played a very good season, we never give up and, if we win the two games, we have a big chance. We are one of the best teams in this league and I think we deserve to be promoted.”
Stendel’s assistant Dale Tonge added: “If Portsmouth win the last ten, you just have to tip your hat and say ‘well done, all the best.’ All we can do is win games which will put pressure on them. If they win all their games, they know they are promoted so there’s a lot of pressure.”
On the Sunderland and Portsmouth game, Tonge said: “There are certain permutations which help us and we’re aware of that but it’s the same time as our game so we won’t focus on it at the time.”
Leaders Luton Town are three points clear of the Reds after conceding an injury-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw with lowly visitors AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday. Stendel said: “We are still trying for the title but it is very difficult because Luton are very consistent.”
Tonge added: “We’re only three points behind so why can’t we catch them? We’ll focus on six points then what will be will be. They’ve been fantastic all season but hopefully they are having a little blip and maybe we can catch them.”
Barnsley’s 20-match unbeaten run ended with defeat at Burton Albion earlier this month but they have responded with three straight wins. Stendel said: “I am delighted with the reaction from the Burton game. We had been struggling, especially in away games. I am happy that we can turn it around so quickly and get three wins. I am happy about the performance in Plymouth (a 3-0 win) but I know the players can do this every game. At the end of the season, when you fight for promotion with a young team, there is a lot of pressure and it is not so easy.”
Tonge said of the Plymouth game: “Other performances and results have been just as impressive but with the spell when we scored the goals, it looks more comfortable. The most impressive thing was how we managed the game.
“That performance has been coming. We have relied on Davo (goalkeeper Adam Davies) quite a lot in recent games but he didn’t have much to do at Plymouth and hopefully that will be the same for the next two games. The biggest thing is momentum. We knew we needed that whether we get in the top two or go into the play-offs.”
Barnsley have the most points in the club’s history this season with 88, which has broken the record of 82 set by the 1999/2000 play-off finalists. Stendel said: “At the moment it is not enough to be promoted. We want more points. We want to get every point in the last two games then we will see what happens.”
Tonge added: “We should be in the Championship as a club. Promotion would reward the faith the owners put in the gaffer. I think this group of players can go very far. If we go up and keep the group together, which we are hopeful of doing, the sky is the limit. There is a feeling around the fans that this team could be something special and they are fully behind them.”
