Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth has praised Barnsley’s on loan striker, Daryl Dike, after Wanderers lost 3-1 to the Tykes at Adams Park on Wednesday night.
The 20-year-old, who is on loan at the club from American outfit Orlando City, scored a second-half brace.
This means the American has now scored five goals in 11 matches for Barnsley in just two months.
Ainsworth said: “They’ve got Daryl Dike up front who was a real focal point for them, your American Akinfenwa in his hay-day because he was really sticking and twisting and scoring goals.
“He had a good game I was really impressed by him, but the spirit from the 22 players was terrific tonight [Wednesday]."
The boss also believes that Wanderers should use Barnsley as ‘inspiration’ to avoid the drop.
Last season, the Tykes were in the bottom three in the Championship since the start of September and went on a torrid run of 18 league matches without a win.
They also spent 16 game weeks at the foot of the table, which included being bottom with just two games to go.
However, the Tykes picked up eight points from their last five matches and avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth – eventually finishing in 21st place.
Tempers flared as Alex Mowatt was shown a straight red card against Wycombe on Wednesday night (John Walton/PA)
Similar to Luton Town, (who Wycombe play in a few weeks’ time) the Hatters spent most of the back end of last season in the bottom three, but one defeat in their final 12 matches also saw them avoid the drop.
Ainsworth hopes to create something similar this season.
He continued: “The teams that came up last year to survive in the Championship, I think is phenomenal.
“Nigel Clough did it, both Luton and Barnsley did it last year, I still believe we can do it.
“Any of the three of us that do it; Warne and Robins, deserve to be the Manager of the Year, never mind anyone else, because it is so tough this league.
“And yes, Barnsley and Ismael are an inspiration because to have his players performing the way they are, he’s found a way to win games and he’s rightly in the play-offs.
“I wish them all the best.
“It’s a fantastic football club that were in the Premiership once.
Barnsley took the lead through a Cauley Woodrow penalty in the 45th minute (John Walton/PA)
“I love the smaller clubs doing well and hopefully they can go on to big things, but we’ve got to focus on Saturday at Coventry.
READ MORE: Scraps, red cards, and 'glass houses' - Ainsworth on Wycombe's battle against Barnsley
“The gulf is huge, but I want to put a dent in Coventry’s on Saturday.
“There will still be a hell of a lot of points to play for and you never know.
“I’m really pleased Uche got another goal as he is really opening eyes.
“Anis learnt a lot as it wasn’t a game where he was going to get the ball down and play.
“It was a really brutal game and he’s learnt from that.”
“I’m really proud and I always will be.”
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