Devaney takes positive approach

By Mark Mitchener

Devaney feels settled after joining Barnsley at the end of August

Barnsley winger Martin Devaney feels a positive approach is important if they are to win promotion from League One.

The Tykes are third in the table, one point behind local rivals Huddersfield - but one point ahead of this weekend's visitors to Oakwell, who are fifth.

"We've got Swansea on Saturday and we've got to be positive - I feel it's a game we can win," he told BBC Sport.

"It's tough at the top as there are some good teams up there and we've still to play against some of them."

Andy Ritchie's side missed the chance to go above Huddersfield when they could only draw 1-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday.

BARNSLEY'S LEAGUE RECORD Home: Played 18, Won 11, Drawn 6, Lost 1, Goals for 32, Goals against 14 Away: Played 17, Won 5, Drawn 5, Lost 7, Goals for 17, Goals against 18

Devaney - who insists that the ball only hit his chest in the build-up to Barnsley's goal, despite the Cherries' vain appeals for handball - feels that every point could be vital in such a tight league.

"We could and should have won that game - a point away from home is a good result, but it feels like two points thrown away," he admitted.

"But you take every game as it comes, and I feel we've got a very good team.

"We were disappointed to draw with Bournemouth, because those two points could be valuable at the end of the season."

Barnsley's home record this season has been second to none in League One, with 11 wins and just one defeat from their 18 league games at Oakwell, but that record has not been matched on the road.

"It's always hard to win away from home, especially when the home team starts to get on top of you and the crowd gets noisy," Devaney said.

"You've just got to make sure you score your goals in the period when you're doing well."

I'm really enjoying my football at the moment Martin Devaney

However, the 25-year-old is enjoying his football again after a frustrating start to his 2005/06 season.

Having ended a six-year stay at Cheltenham when his contract expired last summer, he moved up two divisions to join Championship side Watford.

But Devaney was soon to move on again, joining Barnsley at the end of August without making a first-team appearance for the Hornets.

Reflecting on his Vicarage Road spell, he admitted: "It's just one of those things - I don't really think about it now, to be honest.

"Barnsley have welcomed me - the fans and the gaffer have been great, so I'm really enjoying my football at the moment.

"And fingers crossed, we'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."