MARTIN Devaney has promised attacking football and to ‘take the shackles off’ when he oversees Barnsley’s vital final league game at home to Northampton Town from 12.30pm tomorrow.
The fifth-placed Reds will reach the play-offs with a win but anything else could see them finish as low as eighth.
The Cobblers are 14th, 15 points clear of the relegation zone and 15 off the top six.
Jon Brady’s side were promoted from League Two last season and have been in mid-table for months.
The Reds will be managed by long-serving former player and coach Devaney, who took over from the sacked Neill Collins on an interim basis this week.
Devaney said: “I am excited.
“When I was asked in the week there was no hesitation.
“It’s a massive game for everyone.
“I have just been rallying the boys this week, let’s be really positive.
“It’s in our hands which is fantastic and what we want. It’s down to us as a team and a club. I know the fans will make it a special day.
“It’s a case of being organised but letting the shackles off and letting the boys go and enjoy it, express themselves and play attacking football.
“I have lived and breathed the club and had special moments here as a player and coach. I will embrace it and I am really looking forward to it.
“We know what we need to do.
“The lads will be prepared.
“Just like the fans, we will give our best to make sure we have that winning feeling at the end.
“I know what it means to everyone and I will be doing my utmost to make sure we do cross that line.
“I just want to give the players confidence to play well and be attack-minded and win the game.
“The season has had its ups and downs. But can we go that one step further and get in the play-offs where we all want to be?
“We know Northampton will be organised and can cause us threats in certain areas but we will be prepared for that.”
Northampton have lost their last three away games without scoring. Only Reading have conceded more away goals than the Cobblers’ 42 in 22 games. They lost 2-1 at home to ten man Exeter City on Saturday, ending a run of three home wins without conceding including a victory over second-placed Derby last month.
Barnsley are winless in five home games while they have the 12th best record on their own turf.
The Reds won 2-1 at Sixfields in September.
Callum Styles netted a long-range lob in the fourth minute after a poor clearance by goalkeeper Lee Burge. Devante Cole made it 2-0 on 88 minutes then Louis Appere scored in injury-time.
Northampton had won the previous four meetings in the 21st century.
They won at Oakwell in the League Cup in 2016 and in the league in 2003, which was their last league visit to Barnsley. They have not lost in four visits there, winning three, since 1975.
The clubs have met 25 times, with Barnsley winning seven and losing 14.
Will Hondermarck left Barnsley for Northampton in January last year. He has played 31 times this season, returning from injury last Saturday.
