Cauley Woodrow wants Barnsley to put Tuesday night’s defeat to Preston North End firmly behind them when they travel to Portsmouth this weekend.
The Reds suffered a 3-0 loss at Oakwell, but Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup trip to the south coast could prove to be a welcome distraction from the demands of a gruelling league campaign.
“The gaffer said that we just need to forget about it because, since he’s taken over, we’ve been fantastic; there’s been a massive change in our performances and points on the board,” said Woodrow.
“We probably would have been written off before the manager came in and, now, we’re right back in it and we’ve got a massive opportunity to try and stay up this season. We need to forget about that game because we’ve had some really good performances – that was a really bad day and we’ll move onto Saturday and hopefully get a good result.”
Both games between the two sides during the 2018/19 Sky Bet League One campaign ended in draws, with Adam Davies proving to be Barnsley’s hero at Fratton Park as he saved Omar Bogle’s second half penalty.
Pompey are currently seventh in the third tier – outside the play-off places on goal difference and only six points off the summit.
Kenny Jackett’s side have won their last five games in all competitions, and Woodrow is under no illusion as to how difficult the task will be to reach the fifth round.
“We played there last season and know it’s a really tough place to go; they’ve got some good players and it’s a game that we want to win to go through to the next round,” continued the Reds’ striker. “We’ll go there and treat it like any other game and hopefully get the win.
“Any year in the Cup, we want to do well. You never know who your next game will be against; it could be a big team. It’s something that you’ve got to enjoy because if you lose, you’re out. It’s the FA Cup; everyone wants to play in it from being a kid – especially me – so I’m just looking forward to it.”
You can watch Cauley’s press conference on iFollow Barnsley.
