Manager Simon Davey has admitted Barnsley's FA Cup run has been a distraction this season, and says his side must now refocus on beating the drop.

The Tykes crashed out of the FA Cup to fellow Championship side Cardiff on Sunday, and with just six matches remaining, relegation to the third tier of English football is a real possibility.

Currently the South Yorkshire side lie third from bottom and a point from safety with six matches remaining, starting against Watford on Wednesday night.

"It has been a distraction," said Davey.

"We have had 16 human beings wanting to play in a cup final.

"But we've not had players who have pulled out of any tackles. Now we've got six cup finals starting on Wednesday night."

Barnsley defender Rob Kozluk acknowledges it is dicey in the league at the moment - but he has little doubt they are up to the challenge.

"Some people say how can we be in the semi-final of the FA Cup and be in the relegation zone, but there's been no pressure on us in the cup," he explained.

"We're just proud of what we've done in the FA Cup. It's been a great run - and now we've got six games every bit as big.

"The lads have taken defeat quite well. If the lads put the effort in that they've shown in the past, we're quite capable of staying up."

Sporting Life / Eurosport