Win will give Barnsley ‘little bit of a sight of the finals’

The Reds make their second visit to Lancashire in the space of four days after Saturday’s much-needed League One win at Rochdale, seeking the same result just down the road at Oldham.

League business may be Wilson’s priority after a slow start to the Reds’ campaign, but the Oakwell chief will not be treating the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy lightly in the club’s first foray in the competition since 2005-06.

This is just the fifth season in which Barnsley have competed in the Football League Trophy in its various guises and they have yet to get past the second-round stage.

Goals from Kane Hemmings and Devante Cole gave the Reds a 2-0 derby win over York City early last month.

If they win tonight they will be just two games away from a northern area final and four away from Wembley, which is something, even at an early stage of proceedings, of which Wilson is conscious.

Wilson, who led Bristol City to Football League Trophy glory against Carlisle at the Millennium Stadium in April 2003, said: ”The more games you get and win, the more confident that you get.

“The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is another cup competition where you don’t have to win that many games to be really successful in it.

“Should we win at Oldham, it gives you a little bit of a sight of the finals.

“So it is going to be a big game for us and I won’t make any excuses for it and I will put a very strong side out because we want to get through the tie.”

Last six games: Oldham WDDDWD, Barnsley WLDLLW.

Referee: G Sutton (Lincolnshire).

Last time: Oldham 0 Barnsley 3; April 15, 2006; League One.