Conor Hourihane outlines Barnsley FC plan after Stevenage postponement - and explains how it could help Reds
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane believes the postponement of his side’s clash with Stevenage could prove helpful to the Reds.
Hourihane’s men are playing catch-up in League One having fulfilled just 27 of their fixtures when most sides have played at least 30.
It was, therefore, less than ideal when the surface at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium was deemed unplayable last night (February 10).
While Hourihane admitted to being frustrated by the development, he was able to look on the bright side.
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Conor Hourihane reacts
He told BBC Radio Sheffield: “[It’s a] really frustrating one. Obviously, coming down here ready to go and all the prep has been done.
“It’s a frustrating one to turn up here and obviously to have the game called off, we would have liked to have had an earlier heads up, for supporters as well, who are pretty much close to the ground. Really frustrating from everyone’s point of view.
“I definitely think, the middle of the pitch, when I walked on, I thought ‘oh no, this is a bit of trouble’. The penalty areas weren’t as bad in my opinion but definitely the middle of the pitch was a little bit of a struggle.
“Look, with our schedule and the heaviness of the pitch, it would have taken a lot out of us for sure. We were here and fully prepared and ready to go and we would have loved to have played, but it may stand us in good stead in terms of this heavy schedule that we’re looking at.”
Barnsley looking to freshen up
Barnsley will be back in action on Saturday (February 14), when they host AFC Wimbledon. For Hourihane, the period between now and the weekend is an opportunity for his squad to be freshened up.
He said: “I think this period now, we’ll have to use it in a good way in terms of freshening bodies, freshening training.
“Then Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday coming up, it’s just like any other normal week in the EFL, then we’ll have a heavy schedule on to the international break. This game will be really towards the latter stages of the season, for sure.”