Barnsley FC boss on Makenzie Kirk, Daniel Johnson plus updates on Conor O'Riordan and Ben Hamed Toure

After thumping the Shots 7-2 to book their place in round two of the cup - and secure their first victory in 12 matches in all competitions - the Reds backed up with a 5-2 success in their final Trophy group game against the Latics.

The game saw Makenzie Kirk grab a brace - his first goals for the club at Oakwell - while Daniel Johnson and Luke Alker scored their maiden goals for the club.

Stendel's side will complete a transformational week if they pick up three points at fellow League One strugglers Wigan on Saturday. Barnsley are winless in eight league matches since September 2.

Asked about a momentum shift, Stendel, whose side are unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions, said: "I think it started a little bit earlier with the game against Oxford, I think. I can see it last week - in the training week.

"On Saturday, in the FA Cup game, I think we were really focused from the first moment. We scored the goals, we defended well for a long time. It was similar (on Wednesday versus Oldham), the start was exactly the same and we scored also three goals.

"It was important and after the game we keep only the positive things at the moment. That means we scored five goals, we won the game again and we had some positive situations in defence and offence. I think a positive mindset is really important for us after this long time we haven't won a game.

"Some players get the confidence that they can score. On Wednesday, it was Makenzie Kirk who scored two goals, I think it's important for him.

"He's a striker, he has this feeling he can do it in a game. Our goal was to play a good game, win the game and take a lot of positive things with us for Saturday. Especially in the first half we did really well. In the second half we lost 20 minutes of control, but in the end we came back and scored two goals.

"I think it was a good night for us and we're really confident at the moment."

Earmarking praise for Johnson, who has started alongside Luca Connell in the midfield in the Reds' big two wins at Oakwell, Stendel continued: "We have two really good experienced players on the pitch who control our game, who decide when we play quick (and) when we keep the ball. Then you can see how important a player like them is for our game.

"I'm happy that DJ played again. It was the reason we wanted, that he played more time with Luca together and that he can score a goal was also good for him."

The Reds have yet to decide whether Conor O'Riordan, who has missed out in the last few weeks with a shoulder issue, will require surgery. Stendel added: "It's a good question. It's a question of if he tries to do it without a surgery. (If he does), it doesn't matter, he needs also a little bit of time (absent), then maybe he is back earlier. But the last (final) decision is not his at the moment. But in the next two games I think he is not ready to play.

"It's especially hard in our situation hard when (Jack) Shepherd is suspended (on Saturday). You can see how many players we have for some positions. But the players that played did it well (this week) and I'm positive that we can do it on Saturday again."

Ben Hamed Toure is due back in training today following compassionate leave.

Stendel said: "We expect him back this week. Normally he is back (on Thursday) and then we have a look again. But then he has not trained five weeks with the team.

"I think it's not so easy to say he is ready to play on Saturday. But when he is back, we have to look how he feels, how is his mood at the moment. And then we talk with him and we find a solution.

"Maybe not for Saturday, but I hope for the next week."

Stendel confirmed that Jono Bland has been training with the under-21s due to a disciplinary issue, but could be back in the first-team fold this weekend.

The Reds chief commented: "At the moment he is still training with 21s. But when he trains well and I have a talk this week with him, maybe he is back in the next time."