Wilson setting his sights on ‘big prize’

BARNSLEY boss Danny Wilson is relishing the prospect of tackling in-form Athletic tonight in a competition he rates highly.

The Tykes head across the Pennines to SportsDirect.com Park to take on Athletic in the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, buoyed by Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Sky Bet League One high-fliers Rochdale.

It will be a big ask for Wilson’s men to topple Athletic — they are unbeaten in eight games following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at promotion-chasing Peterborough. But Barnsley impressed hugely at Spotland, recording a first victory in six league matches.

Wilson said: “Hopefully we put that little bit of a blip behind us on Saturday, but Oldham will be tough.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s another game that we can win, and if we do that it breeds even more confidence. Any team on a winning run wants to play as often as possible, and we’re no different. It’s going to be another tough test for us.”

Wilson added: “I don’t know whether other clubs look at it differently, but I can see a big prize on offer for a team doing well in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. For all teams outside the Premier League and Championship it can be a real money-spinner, and all teams in League One and Two ought to be desperate to get to the final. Certainly us and Oldham will be feeling that way.”