Pressley says '˜every minute is vital' in relegation fight

They go into tomorrow’s game at Highbury against promotion-chasing Barnsley with a three-point cushion from the drop zone.

The in-form Tykes lost 2-0 to Southend on Saturday, while Town have suffered back-to-back defeats against Burton and Walsall. Although it was a much-improved performance against the Saddlers, Pressley says they need to pick up points.

But the manager stressed his club’s destiny is still in their own hands. He said: “I just have to remind everybody that over the last couple of months our performances have been strong and we have had some really positive results. But we can’t take our eye off the ball.

“We are still very much in a relegation fight, and sometimes when performances have been strong there can be a degree of complacency around the club.

“We cannot afford to have any – we are in a real dogfight.

“Our destiny is in our own hands and we have to ensure it remains that way. Every game, every point and every moment between now and the end of the season will be vital .

“We cannot afford to allow our own destiny to come out of our own hands. We have to ensure that we get really positive results over the next 10 games.

“We are a match for anybody in this league but we have to keep winning the next game in front of us. We can’t think that we are going to be OK – we have to ensure that we are.”

Pressley hopes Antoni Sarcevic and Nathan Pond will return to training today, while on-loan Everton striker David Henen is back with the group but is not yet ready to play.

Bobby Grant will serve the second of his three-match ban for violent conduct, though Pressley says competition is rife after defenders Stephen Jordan and Tyler Forbes returned from injury.

Pressley says he expects every player to fight for their place in the starting line-up. “All the players are going to have to put each other under pressure if we are going to survive. That is what I expect.

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“I expect Stephen Jordan to put pressure on those in team because he wants to play.

There can be no excuses. We understand the importance of the job in hand.”

Barnsley are keen to keep up with the play-off pack after their Southend setback, and Pressley added: “Their form has been excellent over a three-month period they have been without doubt the form team in the league.