ANY team finishing above Barnsley will win promotion.

That’s how Michael Collins sums up the task ahead of City’s mouth-watering Valley Parade opener against the Tykes tomorrow.

The head coach was hugely impressed with Barnsley’s 4-0 opening-day destruction of Oxford as his own side look to make it back-to-back wins to kick off the new campaign.

And the Bantams will be braced for more of the same as the visitors aim to bounce straight back from relegation.

Collins said: “Everybody is so excited for the start of the season and to get Barnsley at home on the back of a win, naturally everyone is optimistic going into the game.

“Having watched Barnsley, we’re under no illusions as to the size of the task.

“I would say anybody who finishes above Barnsley will be playing Championship football next season. That’s what I think of them at that stage.

“Football can obviously change very quickly. Two or three weeks down the line, I might give a different opinion.

“But what I saw against a very good Oxford side, they were just too much for them.

“They look very strong. There’s no point trying to patch it up any other way.

“They are going to come here and expect to beat us.

“It’s going to be a big ask but we’re confident and prepared and we’ll see what happens. I’ve got a lot of trust in these players and know they will give their all.”

With Barnsley bringing a maximum 2,500 backing, a crowd topping 18,000 is expected. Collins has stressed the need for his players to keep cool heads amid the derby atmosphere.

“It’s going to be frantic and the message has been to stay calm to make sure we’re always in the game,” he added.

“My trust in the players will never waiver and I’m sure they will do their best to manage the atmosphere. Game management will be huge against a team who have started off as well as Barnsley.

“We think we’ve got the right people to handle such occasions. But the proof will be when we step out.”

Alex Jones is getting closer to being involved in the first-team picture, while City are still taking their time with Jake Reeves.

But otherwise, Collins has a full hand to pick from – and suggested that there could be changes despite last week’s winning start.

“Regardless of result, I never think that the 11 shirts are set in stone. If we see something that we need to change, we will adapt and do that.

“I’ve told the lads there are shirts up for grabs even coming off the back of a win. That’s the way we will approach every game.

“The hardest part of the job for me is that I can only name 11 tomorrow. It is a big occasion for the club.

“We’re trying to treat it as just another game but we are aware of the kind of spectacle it will be.

“I’ll have 20 odd disappointed players but they’ve all dealt with it so far very well and been professional.”

Defender Anthony O’Connor has promised Barnsley a tougher afternoon than they got last week.

“Oxford didn’t really put them under enough pressure but Barnsley know they won’t have an easy ride at Valley Parade.”