Wigan game is a 'must win' fixture for Barnsley FC, admits Gerhard Struber

In the past, the Austrian has balked at using that term to describe one particular match, but the reality has changed this week for after watching his Barnsley side pick up just one point from matches against fellow strugglers Luton Town and Stoke City.

The third and final match of Barnsley's triple header against relegation rivals arrives on Saturday against a Wigan side who face a 12-point deduction for entering administration last week.

Should the Latics finish outside of the bottom three at the end of the season, as seems highly likely, then the points penalty will apply in 2019-20 and not at the start of next term.

As it stands, the Lancastrians are one point behind second-from-bottom Barnsley when the deduction is taken into account.

Wigan are appealing against the punishment, administered by the English Football League.

Struber, whose side's daunting final three games of the campaign see them face the promotion-chasing trio of Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford after this weekend's appointment with the Latics, said: "We have one big aim and focus and that is bringing a big performance on Saturday. We have to win on Saturday. This is what we want.

"We must bring a big performance with our big strengths and in the end, we need a win. This is clear.

"For us, this is maybe the most important game. On the one side, we have the pressure to win this game and on the other side, we need the right self-confidence. We know we have the quality to win this game.

"When we lose energy and speak about Wigan's financial problems and points deductions, this is not helpful for my boys or me.

"Everyone knows this is a big game. Wigan are one point behind us and I think we have the responsibility and duty to bring a big performance on Saturday, so we can make the gap a little bigger.

"Everyone knows the situation about Wigan and is ready for a big, big fight. They have picked up points and are a big opponent. But when we show the right face, it is difficult against Barnsley."

Barnsley's plight would have been less stricken if they had shown a ruthless edge in front of goal in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road, with the visiting forwards spurning a number of chances in a game that the Reds should have won.

Top-scorer Cauley Woodrow's goal drought extended into a seventh game at Luton, while Conor Chaplin has netted just three times in his past 15 outings.

Jacob Brown has also scored just twice in the league since late October.

Retaining confidence in his forwards, Struber continued: "We have the right qualities and I trust my strikers. But sometimes in our situation, there is a lot of pressure in every game and strikers need a good flow.

"I hope that Chaplin, Cauley Woodrow and Browny come back and can do what we want from them - scoring goals. But sometimes, it is not easy, but I trust my boys 100 per cent."