AHEAD of tomorrrow's Championship basement derby showdown Barns-ley's Martin Devaney declared: "The only way is up for us."
Doncaster have not lost at Oakwell in nearly 30 years. Although the clubs have met only three times since 1979, Rovers have romped to victory by a minimum two-goal margin every time.
"What better way to get a vital three points?" Devaney added.
"It's against a bit of a bogey side, a local derby and the atmosphere should be good. It's a great time to pull our socks up and get the three points we really need."
Barnsley go into the clash second bottom of the league, trailing Rovers by two points. Both clubs have struggled to score.
Barnsley didn't register a goal in all of September.
"We've been playing really well, we've just not been putting the ball in the back of the net," Devaney continued.
"That's down to all of us, not just the forwards. We win as a team, lose as a team.
"But it's something we have to put right. One goal could change everything for us.
"Things are fine at the club; we're under-achieving a bit. We do need to start getting some wins. We're still fairly confident.
"We've played only nine or 10 games. There's plenty of the season to go. The only way is up."
Barnsley dominated their last home game against Norwich and were held 0-0 but were beaten 3-0 at Ipswich on Tuesday, following two errors by goalkeeper Heinz Muller.
"We dominated against Norwich but just didn't get a goal. Against Ipswich we were on top for half an hour until Heinz made the mistake.
We don't blame him for it but it killed our confidence," Devaney said.
Winger Devaney was the subject of a £150,000 bid from Blackpool during the January transfer window. Barnsley boss Simon Davey rejected the approach.
"There was a bit of interest in the summer. Simon Davey said at the time that the money wasn't enough," Devaney explained.
"That's really all I can say about that. I'm very happy at Barnsley and I'm intending to stay here."
His contract expires at the end of the season.
Brian Howard's imminent departure from Oakwell leaves the 28-year-old as the longest-serving first team regular at Oakwell.
"Brian's been a very good player for this club. I'm sorry to see him go, but it happens in football. Since I've been here I've seen 30 or 40 players go," Devaney commented.
It was Devaney whose number was up when Barnsley made history on Tuesday at Ipswich by taking Reuben Noble-Lazarus off the bench and making him the youngest player in Football League history.
"He hadn't trained with us, he just came on the bus and travelled and obviously was a sub. I don't know anything about the lad," Devaney said.
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