The fight 
is still in the dog, insists Reds chief

The perennial second-tier strugglers once again find themselves entrenched in a survival battle with some sections of the support questioning whether the players have the stomach for the fight.

Saturday’s stoppage-time defeat to Bournemouth was a bitter pill to swallow and left Barnsley propping up the division.

They are only three points from safety but the concern among the Oakwell faithful is that they have been unable to string results together all season and do not look capable of doing so now time is running out.

Indeed ,since Wilson succeeded David Flitcroft in December, they have won only three games and head to a Reading side tonight unbeaten in five.

To the doubters who are questioning Barnsley’s desire, Wilson said: “Do we just give up because it (a run) has not happened before? Why can’t it happen now?

“The best time to have a good run is now.

“We genuinely believe we can do that. We will not be giving up the ghost.

“That type of criticism gives you more desire to do well.

“If people do feel that way we can’t do anything about that other than turn around and shove it down their throat.

“It’s a very unforgiving league. There’s no gimmies.

“We’re not dead and buried, far from it.

“We’ve got some terrific games coming up. The teams around us have got some very tough fixtures as well.

“It can change on a game to game basis and that’s what we believe we can affect.”

Wilson did admit that the defeat to the Cherries “knocked the stuffing” out of his side, but he is confident they have the resolve to bounce back at Reading.

“Going down to Reading doesn’t faze us at all,” he added. “What a great game to get a result from.

“Survival is at stake and if we can’t spill a bit of blood then we don’t deserve to stay up, but, from what they’ve shown me, the fight is still in the dog.”

Last six games: Reading LDDWDW; Barnsley WLWLLL.

Referee: S Martin (Staffordshire).

Last time: Reading 1 Barnsley 2; August 20, 2011; Championship.