Sponsored by
Reds told to expect no helping hand from former Sheffield Wednesday chief Sturrock in survival bid
PAUL STURROCK has warned Barnsley to expect no favours from Plymouth Argyle as the Reds seek to secure Championship survival.
The former Sheffield Wednesday manager, in his second spell with the Pilgrims, will have a big say in Barnsley's fate when the sides meet at Home Park on Sunday with Simon Davey's visitors requiring a point to ensure they avoid the drop.
However, if Sturrock's side are victorious and Norwich City win at Charlton Athletic, Barnsley will be relegated to League One.
"We have got to be respectful of both Norwich and Barnsley," said Sturrock.
"We will play this game very competitively – as I would expect those two to do if they were in our position."
Finishing the season on a high may also help Sturrock safeguard his own future at Home Park.
Although he suffers from a mild form of Parkinson's disease, the 52-year-old has expressed a desire to stay in the frontline for as long as possible.
Japanese businessman Yasuaki Kagami has been linked with a takeover of the club, however, and, in football, boardroom change can often threaten a manager's job security.
"I have no thoughts on retiring or going upstairs," Sturrock stressed. "I intend to be the manager of this football club come August.
"Stability of the football club is quite important and there have been a lot of rumours going about. It would be nice to think that, if there are going to be things happening, that it's all done before next season starts."
Sturrock will hope that history does not repeat itself in terms of his managerial record against Barnsley.
His final home game as manager of Wednesday was a 2-1 victory over Barnsley in October, 2006.
Dave Allen, who was the Owls' chairman at the time, sacked Sturrock a few days later, saying that Barnsley had played far more attractive football.
Whether others like or loathe it, Sturrock's direct style of football is admired by Plymouth chairman Paul Stapleton.
During his first spell, Sturrock guided Plymouth from the depths of League Two to the brink of promotion to the Championship.
His second spell, which started 16 months ago, however, has been less spectacular. At one stage, the Pilgrims had won only once in 17 games this season and appeared to be heading for relegation.
A late rally improved their situation and survival was guaranteed on Monday night when Norwich lost at home to Reading.
"It was important that it was done and dusted and not taken into our last game," reflected Sturrock.
"The important thing was to make sure we were in this division because there is more value to Plymouth Argyle in the Championship than there is in League One.
"The next three weeks are vitally important to us. I want to restructure the club internally to be more like the way it was in the past. There are lots of things I have got to get right over the close season. We will be up for the challenge next season and we will benefit."
Barnsley have sold nearly 1,500 tickets for Sunday's game.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Three-inch blanket of snow heading our way today
- Alan Shearer in list of favourites for Leeds and England jobs: Latest odds
- Barnsley’s Keith Hill invokes Fawlty Towers over link with Leeds job
- McCormack feels United search can be narrowed down
- Redfearn throws down gauntlet as queue builds at Elland Road
- Rival chips in with £500,000 to restore the original Harry Ramsden’s
- Visit from Princess as Serbian culture celebrated
- SportsTalk: Leeds United’s manager search, Super League and Calcutta Cup
- Libraries aren’t like supermarkets, they are magical places where dreams begin
- Strategic review will lead to job losses at Yorkshire Bank
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
