Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom has admitted that the Leeds United fixture and not the Sheffield Wednesday meeting is what he looks out for each season. 

Heckingbottom is a boyhood Barnsley fan and is currently preparing his side for the short trip to Elland Road to lock horns with Garry Monk's Leeds side on Saturday in a Championship clash.




The Tykes head coach knows that some Barnsley fans look forward to playing Sheffield Wednesday more than Leeds, but Heckingbottom counts himself in the other camp, putting a meeting with the Whites at the top of his list.

"A lot of people say Wednesday, some will say United, but me growing up personally it was Leeds simply because I’m from Royston which is the Wakefield side of Barnsley, and if you’re from there you’re either a Leeds or Barnsley fan", Heckingbottom told Barnsley Player.
 


"That’s what it’s about, I try and remember all of that because that’s what people are coming to the game for, that’s what they want to see", he continued.

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"It’s how they feel after the game, win or lose.

"My job for me personally is to put that into perspective, it’s not all about the emotion when I’m making my decisions, but I do enjoy that side of the game that there is some other meaning.

"As a squad, we can't wait for kick-off."

Barnsley sit in tenth spot in the Championship table after ten games, with Leeds in 14th spot.

However, if Leeds were to beat Barnsley at Elland Road, they would draw level on points with the Tykes.

Barnsley's last win at Elland Road came in November 2011, with a 2-1 victory.