'It could be a very tough night' - Barnsley insider's fear ahead of Huddersfield Town clash

The Yorkshire derby between Huddersfield Town and Barnsley on Friday evening will have real implications at both ends of the Championship table. A win would see the Terriers make absolutely sure of a play-off place whilst it would also relegate their opponents to League One.

At the very foot of the table, even a victory for the Tykes might not be enough to give them a chance of staying up as three points for Reading would condemn Poya Asbaghi’s side to the third tier regardless of Friday’s result. The possibility of a win at the John Smith’s Stadium won’t have even entered the thoughts of most Barnsley fans.

Many of them have been resigned to the eventuality of relegation since the turn of the year and surely now they have far too much to do to escape the grips of the drop zone. YorkshireLive got in touch with Doug O’Kane at the Barnsley Chronicle to get some insight into the Championship’s bottom club.

Barnsley's improbable mission as they head for Huddersfield Town facing almost certain relegation

Barnsley are realistically relegated. They would have to win all four remaining games, having won six of 42 this season, and hope Reading collect just one point from their last three, with Peterborough also faltering.

The official mantra from the dressing room is to keep fighting while it is mathematically possible but it will be very hard to come back from Monday’s 2-0 home loss to Peterborough. Most observers have felt relegation was certain for weeks if not months, with many of the problems stemming from a terrible summer transfer window with poor recruitment of players and staff.

They will at least look to avoid the extra humiliation of going down at their near neighbours on Sky but, while they have shocked the likes