Michael Mifsud is confident Barnsley can avoid relegation despite their 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United.
Tykes front-man issues rally call after derby defeat
Barnsley striker Michael Mifsud is confident they can avoid relegation despite their 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United on Tuesday night.
The defeat leaves the Tykes just three points above the drop zone with six games left to play.
Mifsud, who joined Barnsley on loan from Coventry during the January transfer window, believes Simon Davey's side has enough quality to climb to safety and ensure their Championship status.
"I don't think Barnsley deserved to lose the game and I wanted to score so much," Mifsud told
skysports.com.
"The team is near the relegation zone but I think the side is far too good to get relegated and I will do all I can to help Barnsley stay in the Championship."
There was more than local pride at stake during the South Yorkshire derby as the game held special significance in Malta, with some of their top stars on show at Bramall Lane.
Maltese connection
The Blades, sponsored by visitmalta.com, number Malta's international goalkeeper Justin Haber in their squad and parliamentary officials from the idyllic island were among the crowd watching Haber warming up with the victors before kick-off.
Barnsley, meanwhile, started off with Malta's captain Mifsud up front, before he was replaced with just over quarter of an hour to play. And the Maltese influence did not end there, with Mifsud's international team-mate Daniel Bogdanovic scoring Barnsley's only goal of the game.
Mifsud admitted the game was a big spectacle for Malta with three of their countrymen involved.
"It was a big night for Maltese football and just shows how our country has players who can perform on a world stage," added Mifusd.
Haber proud
Mifsud had shared a shake of hands with Haber during the warm-up, and the latter was thrilled to be part of the winning side.
"It was a derby, a tough match, but I felt Sheffield United deserved to get the win and the lads really worked hard," said Haber.
"As a goalkeeper myself I was thrilled to see Paddy Kenny save a penalty.
"Sheffield United are really pushing for automatic promotion to the Premiership and if we can do it I will be honoured to be the first Maltese player to be part of a team in the top division in the world."
