It is too earlier to speculate but if the Reds can put in the sort of performance they achieved to see off a woeful Swindon yesterday week in week out they should be up amongst the prizes come May.
Matt Carbon, Paul Hayes and skipper Stephen McPhail were superb whilst Nick Colgan saved his 3rd successive spot kick for the Reds (albeit the first not to be retaken).
Hayes goal after 11 minutes was a real beauty and showed how football really can change in a second.
One minute Antony Kay was blocking off the line after a fumble from Colgan the next, Hayes flights a lovely ball over Evans (which takes an age to reach the net and at one point seems to be going wide) before nicking in off the inside of the post.
Next came the first penalty drama, Danny Nardiello picking up the ball after Hayes was dragged to the floor, did a brief run up before aiming right, Rhys Evans guessed correct. Not sure what Nardiello was doing taking it in the first place as I don't recall him taking them in the past.
2-0 arrived at the perfect time. 2 minutes into the second half a lovely flowing move involving Nardiello and Hayes saw Shuker released in space and from a fairly acute angle he hammered the ball past Evans.
Simple enough, until young Robbie Williams deciding to add to his arsenal of being defender and top pre-season scorer by having a dabble at goalkeeping.
Neil Austin was harshly pulled up for a mere shoulder barge out wide and when the free kick was floated in, Colgan made a real harsh of collecting allowing a thunderbolt from Cureton to fly off Williams arm on the line. Straight red card and a way back into the game for Swindon??.
Up stepped Jamie Cureton and a good save from Nick Colgan, Oakwell held its breath to see whether a retake would be called before breaking into pandemonium when Kay's clearance signaled a corner.
Scunthorpe United are next up at Glanford Park on Tuesday and if the same levels are displayed then theres no reason why 3 points cant be coming back to Oakwell.
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Again shaky on crosses with his mistake leading to the penalty. Redeemed himself though with yet another impressive 12-yard stop. 7
Dale Tonge: What a future this lad has nothing gets passes him, totally unruffled. 8
Matt Carbon: Could just have seen a glimpse of what Paul Hart brought him to the club for. Dominated in the air and on the ground. If he can stay injury free he will be a vital asset. 8
Antony Kay: Looked shaky early on but really settled in as the game went on. 7
Neil Austin: Linked up with his fellow defenders well never gave any space away down the flank. 6
Chris Shuker: A fairly quiet game by his standards although took his goal extremely well. 6
Stephen McPhail: At last 90 minutes of work from the Irish man. Looks to have settled into this division now and ran his socks off the whole game. 7
Jacob Burns: Typical robust and no nonsense performance from the Aussie. Always gives his all. 7
Robbie Williams: Again belied his size by winning his fair share of headers. Definitely a handball but whether deliberate is hard to tell. Will be missed for a game. 7
Paul Hayes: Debut goal and excellent performance. Held the ball up well and showed neat touches. Subbed. 8
Daniel Nardiello. Worked in tandem with Hayes and this partnership has the makings to fire the Reds to promotion. Unlucky with his penalty miss. Seemed to struggle when forced to play up front on his own after Williams dismissal. Subbed. 7
Subs: Nicky Wroe (for Hayes 61) Really got stuck in on his arrival. Turned his marker on a number of occasions, really pushing for a starting place now and should get it during Williams absence. 7
Barry Conlon (for Nardiello 83) Harried the Swindon defenders for 7 minutes winning all the high balls that had eluded Nardiello. 6
Man Of The Match: Dale Tonge. Just ahead of Carbon and McPhail