Coppell explained: "They (Barnsley) are a bit of a contradiction really. I remember the old days when Michael Parkinson would talk of Barnsley players being tough as teak. They would come straight out of the pit then play a game at three o'clock.
"This teams is a million miles away from that. They play silky football which is almost continental in style so it's going to be a big test from that point of view.
"They like to play football and they have some talented players capable of hurting us. They reached the FA Cup semi-final last season and they're doing well again.
"They spent £1 million on Iain Hume who was unfortunately injured but that is an indication of their ambitions."
Hume received a fractured skull after a dreadful elbow from Sheff Utd's Chris Morgan.
Coppell takes his side to Yorkshire hopig to close the gap further on Birmingham and Wolves. Reading picked up three points earlier in the weeke with a win over Coventry and the boss is hoping for more of the same.
"The Coventry results puts us in a strong position and gives us a bit more belief after the previous home game against Southampton," added Coppell.
"There was a bit of everything in the performance. We weren't always fluid but in little pockets we played really, well and the rest of the time we were very competitive.
"Now the teams above us are in our sights though were are also very much aware of the pack below us too. We have a very important week which will give us a chance to establish a strong position going into Christmas."