Duff urges players to relish promotion test as Barnsley host Derby

Barnsley boss Michael Duff has told his players to embrace the challenge of being in the thick of a promotion battle as they prepare for a blockbuster clash against Derby County on Saturday.

Sixth-placed Barnsley take on the side directly above them in the League One table at Oakwell and a bumper crowd is expected for the tussle of two in-form sides.

The Tykes will go above Paul Warne’s men in the table if they beat them, but they have been beaten twice by the Rams this season. Back in August, Derby ran out 2-1 victors at Pride Park in the league and they followed it up with a 3-0 home success in the FA Cup third round in early January.

Duff will be hoping it’s third time lucky this weekend.

He told The FLP: “They have beaten us twice, but the results weren’t what our performances warranted.

“They have had a bit of trouble – it’s not phoenix from the flames – but they have bounced back from it and they are a good team.

“Warney is doing what he does – he puts a team together and they press like mad, but we are looking forward to it. It will be a difficult test, but these are the games you want to play in. It’s close to a full house and that’s a sign that we are doing okay.”

Former Cheltenham boss Duff took the reins last summer following Barnsley’s relegation from the Championship and has put together a new-look squad that have steadily improved as the season has gone on.

That has helped create a positive atmosphere at the Yorkshire club again.

He added: “It’s a new group with maybe only two or three who were playing regularly last year. There’s been a bit of a reshuffle, a lot of moving parts, but we have seen progress in a lot of areas, including the alignment of the supporters and players, and how they are connecting.

“Results help, but there’s been a lot of hard work that’s gone into it.”

*The attendance is set to be the largest of the season so far at Oakwell, and tickets remain on sale for the huge Sky Bet League One encounter. The game is all-ticket, meaning those Barnsley fans with a booking history have until the close of play on Friday to secure their seat.

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