The Reds' Head Coach is happy with his side's development in recent weeks but now wants them to get their rewards as we head to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest.
Despite encouraging performances since the turn of the year, Barnsley have failed to win any of their league games in January, but Valérien Ismaël feels a first Sky Bet Championship win in 2021 is just around the corner as he looks for his charges to pick up the desired three points when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
"The development of the team is clearly visible." Ismaël began.
"But the most important thing for the guys now is to be rewarded with the result.
"We have shown we can compete and adapt to different styles of football from the opponent, we have made the necessary steps but we must now have that feeling of victory."
Against Cardiff City last time out, the gaffer went with Brad Collins between the sticks; his first league start since the beginning of October last year.
Valérien feels it's an opportunity that the former Chelsea stopper deserves.
He told us: "We have the same players available, with just a couple of issues but we will see more after the next training sessions.
"Brad Collins will remain in goal. We think he deserves this run of games and it is the only way we can judge him and his development. He has the support of Jack Walton.
"We have two good Championship 'keepers."
The Reds face a Forest side struggling for form, hovering just above the relegation zone but Ismaël knows that it will be another test.
"The Championship is a tough league and every team has quality." He explained.
"Forest are a big club and they have a big manager with lots of experience. In the first game against them they had chances to score and it was late goals for us. It was a tough game. We had some luck.
"We know their strengths and the qualities they possess and we'll be prepared for another big game on Saturday."
