AT least it is not the nightmare scenario.
The last thing Barnsley wanted was to play for Championship survival on Sunday against FA Cup conquerors Cardiff.
Saturday's final game at Oakwell put that to bed, leaving manager Simon Davey's side with only pride to play for at Ninian Park.
Likewise Cardiff dropped out of play-offs contention after a 3-0 defeat by Wolves 10 days ago.
Millions of pounds were at stake and 80,000 watched the last time the teams met at Wembley four weeks ago.
For Barnsley on Sunday the contrast will be stark.
While Cardiff will turn out to wish their team of cup finalists well, only a few Barnsley backers are expected to make the trip. Just the hardest of the hard-core will be there for the 2pm kick-off.
Davey has promised them a glimpse of the future with the full debut of teenager Jacob Butterfield.
Davey could not rate the 17-year-old higher. He made him skipper of the Reserves and gave him a run out at Wembley.
Butterfield is the only Oakwell Academy graduate to have featured this season.
The 16-year-old striker Jamil Adams could become the second home-grown player. He was travelling with squad, expecting to be on the bench.
Robbie Fowler could be among the Cardiff subs. The former England striker is hoping to be fit for the final but has not played since December.
Cardiff from: Enckelman, Blake, Purse, Loovens, Capaldi, Ramsey, McPhail, Ledley, Sinclair, Scimeca, Hasselbaink, Whittingham, Thompson, McNaughton, Rae, Johnson, Parry, Fowler.
Barnsley from: Steele, van Homoet, Nyatanga, Souza, Kozluk, Hassell, Howard, Butterfield, Leon, Togwell, Odejayi, Macken, Leth-eren, Nardiello, Ferenczi, Adam.
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The full article contains 402 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.