'Our season in a nutshell' - Conor Hourihane believes loss to Luton Town sums up Barnsley FC's campaign
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane speaks after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Luton Town
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane felt his side’s 2-1 defeat to Luton Town summed up their season.
The Reds went behind after 16 minutes, when former Huddersfield Town and Bradford City frontman Nahki Wells steered home from the penalty spot.
Adam Phillips levelled proceedings but on-loan Hull City playmaker Kasey Palmer notched a second-half winner.
Conor Hourihane reflects on Barnsley loss
Hourihane, who is set to vacate his post at the end of the season, said: “I think if there was ever a game to sum up our season it was that. We played really well to get through them, get into the final third countless amounts of times. It was a really tight game in terms of the scoreline and then to come out on the wrong side of it, is really frustrating.
“The lads played well, they’re a team going for the play-offs and I don’t think you can tell the difference in both teams.
“In the end, a tight scoreline and you give away a couple of poor goals and that’s our season in a nutshell really. The team were fantastic, everyone to a man played their part. As a team performance it was pretty good.
“I’d like for us to be a bit more ruthless in the final third as the amount of times we got in there, to only come away with one goal is disappointing, but as a performance it was much improved.”
Jack Wilshere’s verdict
Luton saw their League One promotion hopes kept alive by the win, which meant the Hatters could sneak into the play-offs on the final day of the regular season.
Hatters boss Jack Wilshere said: “At this stage of the season it’s about winning and I had that feeling we were going to find something as I think the team’s really developed that.
“We want to still play well and still perform because we believe that’s the best way of winning a game and we’ve done that really well recently, but I didn’t think we found our rhythm.
“We threatened at times, but couldn’t quite keep our foot on the gas with that and I always felt that if we can suffer in those moments where they’re putting us under pressure, then we defended really well.
“More importantly I felt like the players believe that we can still find something from somewhere when you’ve got quality on the pitch and we certainly did that.”