Reading host relegation-threatened Barnsley at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday after Wednesday's result left Mark Bowen's side just five points above the relegation places.

The Tykes, on the other hand, will have a spring in their steps ahead of the game after winning three consecutive games, including an eye-catching 3-0 triumph away at Craven Cottage. 

With just one win since New Year's Day and the diabolical performance on Wednesday night, many Royals fans are predicting a nervous encounter at the Madejski Stadium. 

Doug O'Kane, sports editor of the Barnsley Chronicle, spoke to us and gave us his thoughts ahead of tomorrow's game. 

How confident is the mood among Barnsley supporters at the moment and how many believe the Tykes will stay up?

After they lost at home to Birmingham on February 11, the mood was very low as the Reds were nine points adrift.

But, three wins and three clean sheets later, the gap is down to three and some fans are starting to share the players’ belief that Barnsley will stay up.

It is still a bad position to be in and there is a lot of work to do, but they look to be capable of picking up points regularly. 

Who is the key man to look out for?

Cauley Woodrow is the top-scorer with 15 goals in all competitions this season, including five in his last six, and only four players have more than him in the Championship.

He has played in attacking midfield since November but is still a real goal threat and combines well with strikers Conor Chaplin and Jacob Brown.

Captain Alex Mowatt is probably the best player and has impressed recently at the base of the 4-4-2 diamond formation. 

Barnsley currently have the third worst away record in the league – what do you put this down too?

They have won their last two matches on the road, 3-0 at Fulham and 1-0 at Hull, so they seem to have sorted out their away form.

There isn’t much different in the way they play at home and away, they were just struggling to get results away from Oakwell when lacking confidence during a very tough first half of the season. 

Score prediction?

2-1 to Barnsley