Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday: Composure the key, says Shotton as Reds aim to reward fans

After back-to-back defeats against Scunthorpe United, in the FA Cup, and Coventry City last weekend, Barnsley need a return to winning ways to maintain hopes of a late play-off push.

But Shotton, who is on loan from Stoke City until the end of the season, is also aware of the extra need to win for the club's supporters.

"We knew last week was not good enough, and the FA Cup was not good enough, so we need to put that past us," he said.

"This is the sort of game the fans live for and you do have to give a bit extra because you know, deep down, the fans want to go back to their friends and say they have put one over them."

Shotton believes the Owls – who are four points adrift of safety in the relegation zone – will have been buoyed by the arrival of new manager Alan Irvine.

And the 21-year-old thinks there is a key area that Barnsley must improve on if they are to spoil Irvine's first game in charge.

"We need a bit more composure in the the last third. Composure and the final ball and just being relaxed in the penalty area," he said.

"We have been out working on the strikers and working on the defenders and just trying to get that final pass and using a bit more of your head in that final third.

"If we can get back to winning ways, anything can happen this season.

"I don't think the top can be achieved – there are a lot of teams up there who are brilliant.

"We are just starting out with a new manager, a new team, and it is going to be difficult but we do have the team to reach the top half and maybe touch the play-offs with a late run."

A crowd in the region of 17,000 is expected at Oakwell, including over 5,000 who will have travelled the short journey down the A61 from Sheffield.

Barring any extreme last-minute weather intervening, the game will go ahead thanks to the undersoil heating at Oakwell and extensive gritting of the car parks surrounding the stadium.