Gerhard Struber applauded by young Barnsley FC duo Jacon Brown and Elliot Simoes

BARNSLEY duo Jacob Brown and Elliot Simoes have paid a fulsome tribute to the sterling work of Gerhard Struber in resuscitating the Reds’ ailing campaign and inspiring a miraculous ‘Great Escape’ from relegation.
Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber and Jacob Brown celebrate after securing safety at Brentford (Picture: PA)Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber and Jacob Brown celebrate after securing safety at Brentford (Picture: PA)
Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber and Jacob Brown celebrate after securing safety at Brentford (Picture: PA)

The Oakwell outfit are still basking in the glow of Wednesday night’s incredible last-gasp finale at Brentford with a strike in stoppage time from Clarke Oduor clinching a 2-1 win and moving the club out of the drop zone for the first time since mid September.

The upshot is that Barnsley will be a second-tier club again next season should the 12-point penalty imposed upon Wigan for entering administration be upheld, with the Latics appealing against the punishment.

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On the impact of Struber, who celebrated with his players after golden goals in inspirational late season wins over Brentford and Nottingham Forest, Brown said: “He has done such a good job since coming in. The way he has got us working off the ball with the pressing and intensity, he just drills it into us and we know exactly what we are doing and when it does work, it works really well and we have had some good performances.

“He has such a good enthusiasm for the game and you could see in his celebration with Pat (Schmidt) he after he scored (against Forest). He helps motivate us when we go into games. He is really good with the lads.”

Also heralding the influence of the Austrian, Simoes – a regular in first-team squad under Struber – said: “He put a lot of faith in me and trusted me a lot and I like to play under him, he’s got confidence in me and I feel free under him. It is a good feeling.

“We have proved under him that we have got a very good side who can play great football and we can play these big teams and I think if we have a good start, we can have a very good season.”

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Meanwhile, the young winger insists that he and his team-mates are confident that they will be Championship players next term and are not worried by the prospect of Wigan winning their appeal.

Barnsley's Jacob Brown istackled by Forest's Samba Sow. (Picture: Tony Johnson)Barnsley's Jacob Brown istackled by Forest's Samba Sow. (Picture: Tony Johnson)
Barnsley's Jacob Brown istackled by Forest's Samba Sow. (Picture: Tony Johnson)

He added: “One hundred percent, I am not worried. I have not thought about it and I know we are staying in the Championship.”

On Wednesday’s exhilarating finale, the one-time FC United of Manchester player continued: “I will never ever forget this. I have never been in a relegation battle before in my career and to get out of it will stay with me forever, especially the way it was done.

“I have had nothing like that before and I do not think I will get the same feeling again.

“I just showed football is crazy and anything can happen.”

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