Steven Caldwell - Respect for Barnsley

Steven Caldwell expects Barnsley to give Blues one of their sterner tests of the season when they meet at Oakwell on Saturday.

The Tykes proved a tough nut to crack when the sides clashed at St. Andrew's last September in a game that looked to be heading away from the hosts until Chris Burke popped up late on to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw.

"We expect a tough, tough game," said the centre half.

"Barnsley gave us a really tough match at St. Andrew's.

"We drew one each with them and we were probably a touch fortunate to actually get the draw. I think they played extremely well against us.

"Every game is tough in this league and you have to be so ready for it and focused.

"I think when we are like that we're showing that we do have the toughness and the quality to hurt teams, so we'll be going there looking for the victory but we're under no illusions about what difficult opponents they will be."

Difficult opponents - Chris Burke salvaged a draw against Barnsley back in September

Blues travel up to south Yorkshire in a confident mood on the back of a 12-game unbeaten run, including a late victory against Portsmouth earlier in the week, which saw them climb up to third place.

"We're cruising along, but we've got a long way to go," said Caldwell.

"But we're looking good and we just need to keep it going and we're certainly full of confidence eyeing up that position ahead of us. Whether we can get it or not is a different story but you have to look forward.

"We've got full respect for teams above us and round about us and we know how difficult it is going to be, but we have to feel it's achievable with the spirit and the quality we have here."

Caldwell is no stranger to achieving promotion out of the Championship after captaining Burnley into the top flight in the 2008/09 season, four years after helping Sunderland reach the Premier League  .

Captain Fantastic - Caldwell skippered Burnley to promotion

Asked whether he thought Blues were capable of repeating that feat he said: "I always feel that.

"When you're in a great position you are going to be confident and I really love the spirit and the togetherness of this unit. They're a very tough bunch of boys.

"When we play poorly I still feel like we're tough and hanging in games.

"We seem to be grinders at times, but we've also shown some fluent football in other games where we've outpassed and outplayed teams.

"We seem to have a bit of both sides which is extremely pleasing, and what is actually needed to achieve success in this league.

"But there's a long way to go and nothing is decided in February, although we have put ourselves in a tremendous position.

"I always expected to be in a team that were challenging for play-offs and hopefully the title.

"That's why I joined and that's the measure of the football club.

"It's a huge football club that should be challenging for the Championship and hopefully in the Premier League.

"I was confident that was going to be the case but obviously it was a transitional period and fair play to the lads because they've put all that stuff behind them and just focused on the important thing which is preparing for the season and getting fit and actually being ready to mount a challenge. Thankfully we're in that position."