Barnsley chief Conor Hourihane on importance of history not repeating itself - and message to Reds players
LAST season, Barnsley's pre-Christmas form served as the first true indicator of what was to come in an ultimately disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
Part of the Reds’ coaching staff 12 months ago, Conor Hourihane is conscious of the need to avoid a repeat.
In a play-off position in mid-November last year, the Oakwell won just once in seven league matches ahead of the festive season.
A brief purple patch in Yuletide and New Year hinted at Barnsley coming again, but they ultimately fell away in the early months of 2025.
It provides a salutary warning for the present-day Reds, who have won only one league game in their last six appointments.
While Hourihane's side have games in hand on all the teams above them, the young manager is acutely aware of the pressing requirement to find some momentum again, with the club also having an active interest in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy next month.
Speaking on Thursday morning, he said: "I'm fully aware of this period.
"The players will be after our meeting this morning, that's for sure as well. We need to make the most of this patch now, between now and after Christmas. That can really put us in a good place in January and moving forward.
"We know we're going to be tested. We know that it all won't go our way, but the players need to be fully ready for the task ahead to try and get us in a good position over these next seven league games and two cup games and potentially to be involved in some exciting games in the second half of the season."
Josh Earl, Adam Phillips and Mael de Gevigney are all in contention to return in Saturday's home match against Luton Town.
Fabio Jalo is also back training and is 'two or three weeks away' from being involved in a matchday squad, according to Hourihane.