Shackell looks to tighten up in order to hand Tykes timely lift

The Tykes had gone four games without a win prior to the lay-off and slipped to 15th in the Championship table.

Shackell acknowledges the need to improve results – starting with Saturday's clash against Nottingham Forest at Oakwell – but insists the majority of the team's performances have not been a cause for major concern.

"Of course, we would like to be higher in the table but we are not a million miles away and things are still tight," he said. "If we can put together some good performances in the next few games, we can be right back in the mix again which is where we want to be."

Barnsley have lost to Cardiff City and Reading and drawn with Scunthorpe United and Derby County since beating Yorkshire rivals Leeds United 5-2 at Oakwell on September 14.

Although they have slipped eight places from seventh spot, they are only four points away from the play-off zone as well as the bottom three.

"The international break came at a good time for us after a few bad results," admitted Shackell.

"After losing at home to Cardiff, it was a chance to get away, re-group, and work on a few things.

"Against Reading, we were very poor and just didn't turn up but, at Scunthorpe, we had a good start and that was a good point. Against Cardiff, we performed well and were unlucky to find ourselves go 1-0 down just before half-time.

"The gaffer puts great emphasis on performance," he added. "And that's something we have been working on over these last two weeks. He wants us to pass it more because we have strayed away from that in some games.

"We have also shipped quite a few goals – so we have to look to be nice and tight from now on. We also need to score a few more goals. But there is such a fine line in this league."

Manager Mark Robins took advantage of the break in the fixture list to take his players on a 'team bonding exercise' to Southwell races last week.

Shackell, who celebrated a winner in the final race, said: "It was the gaffer's idea and it was well-receieved by everyone. Things like that are very important because the better you all get on off the pitch, the better you get on it. In some ways, it helps to show that you can trust each other and are prepared to look after each other too."

With Forest only one point better off in 11th place in the table, Saturday's game provides the Tykes with a timely opportunity to drag themselves back up the table.

And Shackell needs no warning about the threat of Forest striker Robert Earnshaw having played alongside the Welsh international at his former club Norwich City for two seasons.

"Earny is a natual goalscorer and always a major threat." he said. "Fozzie (Stephen Foster) and I will have to make sure we are on our metal because it only needs one lapse in concentration, and Earny will pop up and take advantage.

"We know it will be a tough game, Forest will press us and will be looking for a win – but we are at home, where we have made a decent start, and we need to bounce back. It is a chance to show everyone what we can do."

After Saturday's game, the Tykes will face back-to-back trips to Burnley and Coventry City before rounding off October with a home game against Hull City.

Shackell said: "Confidence is good because our performances have been better than our results of late. However, it's important to do better in the next 10 games.

"We are trying to do the right things – and there have been a few ups and downs so far – but if we continue to do things right, the results will improve.

"Everyone should be looking up the table not down," he stressed.

"We don't want to be involved in a relegation battle this season."