Video - Barnsley v Scunthorpe United: Winnall challenges Reds to assume cup mentality

Barnsley's Sam Winnall, heads the ball in mid air with Doncaster Rovers' Aaron Taylor-Sinclaire.

That is the message from top-scorer Sam Winnall, with his words being prescient given weighty Easter games against former club Scunthorpe United and Port Vale.

Barnsley’s quest for the play-offs disintegrated last Easter following two successive losses, but this time around, they are in a sturdier position, even if they don’t need telling twice that the chasing pack are breathing down their necks.

With a League One fixture list that sees them take on a number of sides who retain aspirations of success – however big or small – the Oakwell outfit can afford no let-up, as Winnall knows too well.

He said: “I know we have a cup final at Wembley, but we also have nine other cup finals, which people on the outside might not realise. In the dressing room and as a club, we know that every game now for the rest of the season is really important if we are to be successful.

“We know how important it is and we seem to be playing a lot of teams in and around us, whether that be above us such as Burton and Wigan, or Scunthorpe, Port Vale and Sheffield United, who have still got a chance of getting in the play-offs.

“This weekend is massive as both teams that we are playing aren’t too far behind us.

“We are happy with where we are in terms of occupying sixth place, but want to improve and get better and get up the table.

Barnsley, in sixth place, may be massively in credit, given the fact that they were in the relegation positions as recently as Christmas, but Winnall insists there is plenty of internal pressure at least to finish a remarkable season by confirming a play-off spot.

Winnall added: “We put the pressure on ourselves as we expect the best and to be as high up the table as we can be.

“Although there might be pressure from the outside, we are putting pressure on ourselves every game to go out and win.”

Barnsley have re-signed Newcastle striker Ivan Toney for the rest of the season on loan.

Last six games: Barnsley DWWWLW, Scunthorpe DDDWDD.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Last time: Barnsley 1 Scunthorpe 2, November 29, 2014; League One.