Our second Group F game in the EFL Trophy will be a 'tough test' in the eyes of Jon Stead as we welcome the Cityzens to Oakwell on Tuesday night.
Our assistant coach spoke to iFollow Barnsley as we take on Man City U21s at Oakwell on Tuesday night.
There is much discussion around the competition since its format change in 2017, but these games are important to help the Reds fulfil our objectives this campaign according to the 40-year-old.
"Any competition that gives you the opportunity to play at Wembley should be taken seriously," began Stead. "It's a good opportunity for us, where we are in the season, to get some guys some extra minutes that they need, some of the young lads some opportunities. Guys returning from injury that need game time. It's a good fixture for us. I think it will be a tough test as well. Thoroughly looking forward to it."
Our opponents on Tuesday night have a 100% record in the competition, likewise to the Reds, beating Grimsby on penalties back in August.
The quality of the facilities and setup at the Etihad Campus is well-known in the footballing circles, the U21s showing their dominance at that age level, lifting the PL2 trophy in the previous three years.
The Reds coaching staff are aware of the quality and confidence that the youthful side will possess on Tuesday evening.
"The likes of Man City have got some incredible young talent," continued Stead. "A lot of these lads will be young as well. I think predominantly a lot of their 21s players will be out on loan at various clubs. Again, it will be a tough test. As you would expect, they'll be expansive, they'll be very much ball-dominated. They'll look to cause us problems, and that's why we've got to be at it. That has been the message today and will be going into the game.
"We need to go and disrupt that and it's a great opportunity for our lads to go and get after it, show that side that we've shown well at times this season against the ball. We've got to make sure we make the opportunities count when we hopefully turn the ball over higher up the field."
