Dean Saunders in 'Do not lose' message to Wolves

Defeat at Oakwell tonight will plunge Wolves into the Championship drop zone and Saunders admitted they must avoid losing at all costs.

Wolves have not fallen into the relegation zone of the second tier since September 1999, following a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace under Colin Lee, before recovering to finish seventh.

They are just a point and a place ahead of the Tykes – who occupy the final relegation slot – having played a game more, and Saunders admitted tonight is pivotal to their season.

"It is a six-pointer," he said. "Saturday's wasn't and neither is Sunday against Cardiff, or the next one – but this is.

"It's the most important out of the four and we need some wins so we are not scrambling at the end.

"Ideally you keep the teams below you below you and then you can do them some damage."

Barnsley are unbeaten in six games since David Flitcroft replaced Keith Hill as permanent manager and have bagged a FA Cup quarter-final trip to Manchester City.

Saunders is still hunting his first win after four draws and two defeats in his opening six games and told his players it is time to fight.

"It's pride – personal pride, number one, and pride for the club," he said.

"You should be proud to play for the club. I'm proud to be the manager. Every time you pull on a Wolves shirt you are lucky. The minute you start thinking you are not, you are in the wrong job at the wrong club.

"I can say whatever I like. I can talk and point things out to them but it has got to come from the players.

"They've got to roll their sleeves up as a group and drag each other along and say: 'If you can't beat someone, make sure they can't beat you' – that's the message.

"If we win we pull away from them. We have got to go with a mentality of 'we don't get beaten'."