Pressure is on rivals, insists Barnsley FC winger

The Oakwell outfit dropped to the foot of the table after Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Millwall, but are still in a decent vein of form, having suffered just two losses in their past seven league games.

Gerhard Struber's side welcome Blackburn Rovers this evening, mindful that a victory would increase the pressure upon the likes of Huddersfield Town, Hull City and Middlesbrough, who are in action later this week.

A win tonight would move the Reds - who take on fellow strugglers Stoke City, Luton Town and Wigan Athletic next week - to within one point of Town and the Tigers and three behind Boro.

Thomas, who came on from the bench at the weekend, said: "I think the pressure will be on the bigger teams who have been in the Premier (League) and stuff like that.

"At the start and all through the season, everyone has doubted Barnsley and thought we would get relegated.

"We feel pressure a little bit, but I do not think we have as much pressure as the other teams.

"Hopefully in the coming games, we can get the results we need and put them more under pressure.

"We cannot influence results around us, but we know if we win, we can go within one point (of safety) and then obviously, everyone knows the fixtures we have next against the teams around us.

"We are positive and who knows what can happen going into those three games."

Looking forward to the test with Blackburn, who still harbour hopes of reaching the play-offs, the former Derby player added: "We know Blackburn have got a fighting chance of the play-offs and have some really good players and they are a good team.

"But there is no reason why we cannot win. We have got four points from the last six, so I think we are as comfortable as we will ever be.

"It will be strange, a 6pm kick-off with no-one in the ground and everyone will be watching us from home. Hopefully, we can put on a show and get the vital three points we need."