Reds boss Gerhard Struber is expecting a big performance from his side at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup.
Ahead of Tuesday's clash with Boro, Head Coach, Gerhard Struber discussed the Reds' hopes heading into the second round.
But naturally, there was first some time for reflection on the weekend defeat in the league against Luton, where Gerhard cleared up one or two questions about injuries.
“Clarke Oduor is still struggling with his muscle injury," the boss stated. "Callum Styles isn’t 100% but he should be OK after training this afternoon. Aapo Halme should be fine, he can see out of his eye now.
“We learned a lot of little things on Saturday, but it wasn’t good enough from us.
“Tomorrow could be a similar kind of game so I’m looking for my boys to react, to find a way through against these teams who play lots of long balls.
“It’s not the fact that we can’t cope with long balls, because we can do that. It’s that we fail to play our own game around that. We have to get the ball down and play through these teams.
“But my focus tomorrow is the performance. I want to see us compete against Middlesbrough. If we do that, the result will take care of itself.”
Despite Tuesday night's hosts also beginning their season in the league with a 1-0 defeat, Struber knows it's going to be a challenge to turn them over on home soil.
He's excited though, looking forward to taking on wily veteran Neil Warnock and hoping for a reaction from his Reds side.
“They’re full of individual talents, players with big quality." Struber acknowledged.
“Their manager is very experienced, I know him and know he has a lot of success and he uses a clear plan.
“But I know and trust my boys. I want to see my team react.
“We can compete with Boro and I am looking forward to the game and the big challenge that is in front of us in this game.”
The transfer window remains open and as such, many rumours persist about players coming into the club.
Struber admits the search continues and that there is no pressure on Barnsley, with the focus clearly on bringing in only the right players.
As he explained, saying: “We are still searching for the right players of the right quality.
“There is no stress, I say this all the time. We will pick up the correct players, those with the right mentality, the right skill. I want them to be able to fit straight into our system, from a physical point of view.
“We are very close with one player, and we will see what comes of this in the next days.”
Finally, the gaffer reiterated his desire to see a response from his team on Tuesday night.
The players he say, must see this as an 'opportunity' to stake their claim in the starting XI over the coming weeks.
“It’s a chance to get through in the cup, with a big incentive,
“But we have a chance also, a big chance for players to prove to me that they can earn a place in my team, not just tomorrow but in the big games ahead.
“The players must use this opportunity.
“Age is not important. The key thing is the quality and the performance of my players. I expect a big step and a big performance on Tuesday night.”