Chris Dawkes: Wembley win could be golden ticket for Heckingbottom
On current form Barnsley should overcome their Wembley hoodoo and liftthe Johnstones Paint Trophy this afternoon at Wembley. But as we know,Wembley finals aren't like any other game. Just ask fans of Wimbledonand Wigan. Oxford might be a League Two side, but they're one indecent form - second in the table and likely to be playing in the samedivision as the Tykes next season. That is of course if Barnsleyaren't promoted themselves.
That suggestion would have had me marched straight down to the clinicwere it made back in November. Following a run of nine straightdefeats Barnsley propped up the division. With calls for changes atmanagement level the board resisted the temptation to dispense withhead coach Lee Johnson. And they were rewarded with a run of form thathas shown little sign of faltering since. Johnson left after guidingthe team to Wembley following a two legged semi final againstFleetwood (the lure of former club Bristol City proved just too much).Paul Heckingbottom, Barnsley born and bred and a boyhood fan, tookover and continued the march up the league. Seven wins from his 11games in charge it's hard to know what more Heckingbottom needs to doto be given a more secure contract at the club. A win today wouldsurely help his cause.
One headache for Heckingbottom could be his options up front. SamWinnall and Marley Watkins will both be given the chance to provetheir fitness ahead of kick off. Manchester United loanee AshleyFletcher would be likely to step in should either not make it.
A win today would be most welcome for those 25,000 travelling fansfrom South Yorkshire after two defeats in previous trips to thenational stadium. It could also prove a worthy acclimatisation missionfor the team should they return in the league one playoff final at theend of May.