THE PHRASE 'things can change quickly in football' may be a cliche but, in the case of Barnsley manager Simon Davey, it has never been more true.

Just 10 games ago, Davey was leading his side out at Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final after beating two of the biggest clubs in European football, Liverpool and Chelsea.

By the summer, he was being touted as a contender to replace Carlos Queiroz as assistant-manager at Manchester United.

Today, however, his future as Barnsley manager is the subject of debate. According to some reports, the Welshman will be sacked if Barnsley's results do not improve significantly in the next three games.

Davey says he still has the full support of club owner Patrick Cryne who, in turn, describes the speculation as 'complete nonsense'.

On the basis of those observations, it would appear that Davey's job is safe. However, it will be the opinion of Barnsley's supporters which ultimately decides Davey's fate.

After losing the opening three league games of the season, Barnsley sit bottom of the Championship. They have also been dumped out of the Carling Cup in the first round by League One Crewe Alexandra.

Another defeat today – against a Derby side who were the laughing stock of the Premier League last season – would be a bitter pill to swallow. The Reds fans might even turn.

Looking back at Davey's record, it becomes apparent that the FA Cup run last season helped paper over the cracks in the club's league form.

From mid-November, the Tykes won just seven games out of 29, took 29 points from a possible 87, and only avoided relegation by three points thanks to a victory over a Charlton side with nothing to play for on the penultimate weekend of the season.

The target this season is a
top-10 spot and, given better luck with injuries, that is still more than achievable.

Davey is also adamant that Barnsley's performances so far have warranted better than their points return.

Davey said: "I don't read the newspapers so, as far as I am concerned, I just get on with the job. I didn't read the papers when we were in the FA Cup semi-final and I have not read the papers yesterday.

"No one is more frustrated than I am with the results we have had this season, but it is not as though we are playing badly," he added. "Things will turn. We know that what we are doing is right and we have to focus on beating Derby."

Commenting on the 'three-game' report, Davey said: "I speak to Patrick on a daily basis and I have definitely not had that ultimatum. I believe he has reacted to the speculation and given me his full support which is fantastic.

"In the two years that I have been manager of this club, Patrick has always given me his full support whether it be in a signing, whether we lose games, or whether we win games. My relationship with Patrick is the same as it was on day one and we remain as strong as usual."

The fixture list could have been kinder to Barnsley in the opening month.

Queens Park Rangers, Coventry City and Birmingham City will all be promotion contenders. Even Derby are one of the biggest clubs in the division, but have made a surprisingly bad start.

Injuries have not helped Barnsley nor the delay in obtaining international clearance for Argentinian playmaker Hugo Colace.

By the end of next month, however, things should be looking a lot brighter with the return of Brazilian midfielder Anderson and German goalkeeper Heinz Muller. Colace, meanwhile, might be available for the first time today.

Davey said: "Hopefully, we will be terrible on Saturday afternoon, but get all three points. Derby have some experienced players and a good squad on paper, but it is just not working out for them at the moment and we want to make sure that remains the same."

Barnsley have both Darren Moore and Jon Macken lining up against their former club for the first time since moving to Oakwell.

Macken dismisses talk of a crisis at Oakwell saying: "There is no crisis here, no thoughts on those lines at all."

Moore, meanwhile, still needs to win over the Barnsley supporters although his manager says: "If he is getting stick I think it is unjustified. Darren has been one of our most consistent players."

If you think Davey has problems, spare a thought for opposite number Paul Jewell who has yet to win a league game since taking over at Pride Park last November.

The former Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday manager was booed after last weekend's defeat by Southampton and admits that this is the toughest test of his career.

Whichever manager loses today will be looking nervously over his shoulder – and, above all, hoping for sympathy and patience from the fans.