BARN STORMING
Hignett claims in-form Tykes will be the team to beat if they seal a play-off spot
CRAIG HIGNETT says Barnsley will be the team to beat if they clinch a place in the play-offs this term.
Under Valerien Ismael the Tykes have been the surprise package in this season’s race for the Premier League.
The Frenchman, who replaced Gerhard Struber in October, has overseen a dramatic transformation at Oakwell after last season’s Houdini-like escape from relegation.
Barnsley have spent only one season in the top flight – the thenPremiership in 1997-98 – when they were led by Danny Wilson.
Hignett was signed by Wilson’s successor, John Hendrie, and the mercurial midfielder was leading scorer with 22 goals when Dave Bassett took Barnsley to the Division One Play-Off final in 2000.
Ipswich broke their hearts, winning 4-2 in an epic match, but Hignett, who scored both Barnsley goals, thinks Ismael’s men can go one better.
The loan signing of eight-goal striker Daryl Dike, 20, from Orlando City in the winter window has proved a masterstroke by Ismael, whose side face Coventry at St Andrew’s today
Hignett (right) said: “Valerien has done an incredible job.
Since he went in, the turnaround has been amazing.
“He’s changed the style and a lot of clubs can’t cope with how Barnsley play. They’re very direct, but he’s playing a style that suits the players. And in Dike, he’s got one of the best strikers – if not the best – in the league.
“So you land a centreforward who scores goals and could be better than the league you’re in, and there’s a change in attitude – the work ethic is up – and a style that suist them down to the ground.
“They’ve gone on a fabulous run and, if they get in the play-offs, they’re
the ones to beat because they’re in such good form.
“If you look at the teams in the play-off places, I would have to say I’d fancy Barnsley.
“They’ve been flying and it’s great to see because they’re a smashing club who have had their problems over recent times. If it ends with promotion, then brilliant.”
Barnsley had to wait until October 27, their eighth game, for their first win of the Championship season so it’s remarkable that they are in the hunt for the playoffs. Since winning at Brentford on February 14 they have beaten Blackburn, Bristol City, Stoke, Millwall, QPR, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Wycombe,
Luton and Boro.
Recalling his
Wembley let-down with
Barnsley, Hignett said: “I scored a couple on the day. We had a penalty before half-time and, if Darren Barnard had scored and we’d gone in 2-1 up, it might have been different in the second half.
“I’m sure the Barnsley fans enjoyed the day, but the was really
result disappointing. Finals are great occasions, but if you don’t win it’s the worst place in the world to be.
“I’d love it if they went one better than we did.
“I’ve some really fond memories of the club. If they got to the play-off final and won, it would be fantastic.”
Hignett also played for Coventry City, today’s opponents. He said: “I hope Coventry stay up.
“When Gary McAllister was in charge I went there on loan from Blackburn. I might have joined permanently but for the fact I broke my leg in a game at Sheffield United.”
Former Hartlepool boss Hignett, now 51 and a scout with Sunderland, is still looking to return to management or coaching.
He said: “If I could get a job at a good club somewhere, maybe coaching the Under-23s, that would do me.
“I think I would probably get as much pleasure from of that as I would from managing.”