Wilson's fond memories of Oakwell go out the window for derby

The Spireites boss acknowledges he’s likely get a good reception at a ground where he managed Barnsley in two spells.

But personal feelings will go out the window, for both Wilson and the Tykes fanbase.

He said: “I always get a warm reception.

“The fans have been absolutely fantastic with me. But they understand as well as I do it’s a professional approach and not a personal one.

“It’s a fantastic club and fantastic memories, that will never change.

“I’m sure if I went for a cup of tea I’d be very welcome. But I’m going there to get three points, they’ll respect that.

“They’d take great delight in beating us I’m sure.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the players who go out on the pitch, that concerns me more than anything, making sure we get a performance like we did in the second half last weekend, and not the one we had in the first half.”

Barnsley are coming off a win at Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final, and since December have risen from the bottom of the table to just outside the play-off spots.

For Wilson, the success of his former club is evidence that loyalty can pay off in football.

“It’s been quite strange, from a quarter of a season in until the second part of the season they’ve done very, very well,” he said.

“In the first part they couldn’t buy a win unfortunately. They’ve come through it very well.

“They’ve got themselves into a very good position in the league and after winning the cup they’ll be full of confidence.

“It just proves that if you want to stick with people you believe in, they’ll come good in the end.

“I’m a big believer in that, I say it all the time.

Wilson knows his men are in for a tough afternoon, but believes the kind of effort that put Port Vale to the sword after the break last weekend would be enough to obtain a positive result.

“Barnsley are going very well, a lot to play for, confidence will be high.

“They’re a very good team, as a collective. All the players playing in recent weeks have found an extra yard and I don’t expect that to be very different. “We’ll try and get as much of an attacking team out as we can and try to go and score goals.

“I’m hoping for a good performance from us, I can’t really worry too much about the opposition.

“If we replicate the second half against Port Vale we’ll have more of a chance to win it. That’s how we’ll be applying ourselves.”