Wilson seeks repeat to spur survival bid

It is everything to do with last season when the Oakwell outfit, down on their luck and entrenched in a grim relegation dogfight as now, did not look back after kick-starting their remarkable ‘great escape’ mission by claiming their first win on home soil for just over four months with a 1-0 FA Cup third-round success over Burnley.

Their wait for an Oakwell victory has not been quite as long this term, although a pitiful two have been accrued in 15 games in all competitions in 2013-14; the Reds are without a home success since October 19.

Wilson is also mindful he is also awaiting his first victory in his second coming at Barnsley after four exacting Championship fixtures that could not have been much tougher if they had been hand-picked by their rivals.

Wilson, who has pledged to field his strongest possible side, mindful that a plum tie in the next round could boost his hand in the January transfer window, said: “The income is important to put on a good show, but equally, from our point of view, we want to try and get a win in front of our fans and give the lads a bit of confidence to take into the league.

“We’ve had an intense period and virtually played all the four teams in form in the league, so it’s been difficult.”

Wilson is seeking to do more transfer business after making his first move on the first day of the window, when he brought in US international Brek Shea from Stoke City.

One area he is particularly keen to augment is in attack, and he hopes to add an injection of pace to his line-up in the process.

He added: “I’d like to strengthen everywhere. If you look at the positions we have in the team and the lack of cover if players get injured, I don’t think we can turn around and say there is a position we don’t want to cover.

“Realistically, we aren’t going to do that and obviously we have to prioritise.

“We need some pace in the team, if I am quite honest – and that’s nothing against the boys who are here as I’m sure they would agree with me. Pace frightens the life out of opposition defenders.

“There’s a few positions we need to look at and the striking department is one. We have not scored enough goals.”

Wilson has confirmed he is not ruling out Chris Dagnall featuring for the Reds today, fresh from returning to the club from today’s opponents, Coventry.

His loan to the Sky Blues has now expired and he is back at Barnsley.

Wilson admitted: “It could prove to be a little twist in the tale. You never know, he’s our player.

“He will want to do very well for the club who pays his wages, and also for himself.

“If it means him playing against Coventry and scoring a hat-trick, then we’ll take it now.”

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