Barnsley look to end unwanted record at Fleetwood Town

Barnsley's caretaker mananger Paul Heckingbottom.

For the Reds travel to Fleetwood Town - sitting three points off the top six after last week’s defeat to Southend United - knowing they have never beaten the Cod Army in a competitive game over 90 minutes.

Five times the sides have met since Fleetwood joined the Football League, resulting in two defeats for Barnsley and the remaining games have finished tied.

Of course. the last two meetings came in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy northern final, which ended 2-2 on aggregate, but the Reds won 4-2 on penalties.

Now, caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom is looking for three points on Saturday to try and close the gap on sixth-placed Bradford City. Only five points separate fifth-placed Millwall and Southend, in 10th.

Sheffield United are a further two points back, in 11th spot.

“After 90 minutes we want to make sure we’ve won the game and that’s what we’ll be aiming for,” said Heckingbottom.

“We need to be strong and disciplined when they’ve got the ball then be creative when we’ve got it.

“We’re just outside the play-offs and we know what we have to do, it’s that simple. The run has been good, the form’s been good.

“It was a disappointing result on Saturday where I felt we dropped below our usual standards in terms of individually and as a collective, but on another day we would have took points from that game.

“It’s a good reminder that you need to be at your best to get results in this league. Southend came here and performed well.

“There’s that many teams involved in it, it’s going to be chopping and changing.

‘Your only guarantee is winning every game to go upwards, but as soon as you draw or lose you can drop places.

“If teams keep going the way they are there’s going to be five or six teams in it on the last day of the season.

“Our aim is to be in and above that if we can keep our run going, but we’re prepared to fight and battle all the way to the end.”

Barnsley duo Ashley Fletcher (England Under-20s) and Callum Connolly (England Under-19s) look set to miss the Easter games against Scunthorpe United and Port Vale after receiving international call-ups.