Barnsley: We're on course insists Alfie Mawson

The Reds spent some of this season rooted to the foot of League One after a dismal run.

But an impressive nine-game unbeaten run, only ended by a 2-1 loss to Gillingham last weekend, has put the Reds firmly in with a chance of pushing hard for the play-offs.

“I think everyone can see we’re turned the tide,” stressed Mawson, ahead of today’s eagerly-anticipated South Yorkshire derby clash with Doncaster Rovers.

“Not necessarily in the performances, because they were always there, but in our results.

“We’ve had four or five clean sheets in our last 11-12 games, which is brilliant for us.

“We’d gone so long without a clean sheet and we were drilling it in training about getting one.

“Then we went and won seven games on the bounce and kept a few clean sheets with that, which always helps.

“Victory against Doncaster is a way of showing everybody in the league how far we’ve come.

“The next month is massive for us. We can’t get too worried and focus on Wembley [Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against Oxford United], because it’s always going to be in the mind of the players, especially the young lads.

“But we’re going to concentrate on the league and we definitely believe that if we can string four or five wins together we can be in or thereabouts the play-offs.”

The Reds lost 2-1 away to Rovers earlier in the season as a last minute winner sunk them at the Keepmoat Stadium.

But Mawson believes the Reds are an all-together different proposition this timer.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” admitted Mawson. “We were going through a sticky period we played them last time.

“They’ve got some very good strikers and they’re a well drilled and organised side, so hopefully we’re on the top of our game and we can get the three points.”

Meanwhile, caretaker head coach Paul Heckingbottom is delighted to have the backing of the squad and the club.

“It’s very flattering I’ve got that support,” said Heckingbottom. “But it’s not about me, it’s about the team getting points.

“It’s about rewarding the fans for coming on down, but in terms of the players we want to win every game.

“Nothing has really changed apart from some of my responsibilities. I just us to well. If I do well then the club does well – and vice versa.”