Gerhard Struber not focusing on Wigan or Sheffield Wednesday situation

BARNSLEY head coach Gerhard Struber insists he is not being side-tracked by the situation with Championship rivals Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday ahead of the Reds' date with destiny at Brentford.
Barnsley head coach Gerhard Struber celebrates with Patrick Schmidt and his Reds players after Sunday's dramatic late win. PICTURE: TONY JOHNSON.Barnsley head coach Gerhard Struber celebrates with Patrick Schmidt and his Reds players after Sunday's dramatic late win. PICTURE: TONY JOHNSON.
Barnsley head coach Gerhard Struber celebrates with Patrick Schmidt and his Reds players after Sunday's dramatic late win. PICTURE: TONY JOHNSON.

The Reds took their fates to the final day after Sunday's dramatic last-gasp home victory over Nottingham Forest, which saw them move off the bottom of the table as they swapped places with Yorkshire rivals Hull City.

It has given them an inkling of hope heading into Wednesday night, although Struber acknowledges the full extent of the task in hand against a Bees side, who could secure a historic first-ever promotion to the Premier League if they win and West Brom fail to beat QPR.

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Brentford also possess the best home record in the Championship.

To stay up, Barnsley would require a victory at Griffin Park, allied to Charlton losing at Leeds and Luton failing to beat Blackburn Rovers at Kenilworth Road.

A potential 12-point deduction for entering administration puts Wigan also in the relegation picture. They host Fulham on Wednesday night, although the Latics are appealing against the punishment.

Sheffield Wednesday are also waiting to hear their fate with the Hillsborough outfit facing a potential points deduction if they are found guilty of breaching Profitability and Sustainability rules - which could put them in the relegation frame if it is sufficiently punitive.

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Last month, Barnsley chairman Paul Conway warned that the club would consider legal action if they are relegated and clubs found guilty of breaching EFL sanctions are allowed to start next season on minus points.

Struber says his sole focus in on his side backing up Sunday's victory with another special moment in the club's recent history.

The Austrian said: "I think my complete energy goes with my team in my plan with my boys. I think we have a big influence on our performance when we have all our energy in the right direction and not thinking about Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan.

"This is more a topic for the EFL and is the responsibility for the EFL to bring a decision. I have said sometimes about the EFL that they sometimes take a little longer to make a decision.

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"But I do not lost energy in any way. We have to bring a big performance on Wednesday and if we win, I have a good feeling we will stay in this league.

"We have had many games in the last few months where we needed a win. But on Wednesday, we go all in and it is the last chance to climb out of the relegation zone and we have to win.

"This is a big goal for everyone."

Winger Elliot Simoes is back in the fray for Barnsley after recovering from the ankle injury sustained in the recent 0-0 draw with Wigan, which saw Latics defender Danny Fox dismissed.

Struber added: "Everyone is fit for Wednesday and I have had very good feedback from my boys, especially Elliot Simoes, who is ready and this is also a very good signal for me and my team."

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