'You have to' - Barnsley FC boss Daniel Stendel's message to Amani Richards after mixed week
The form of Amani Richards has been discussed by Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel
Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel is looking to extract more from summer signing Amani Richards.
The 21-year-old forward, formerly of Chelsea and Arsenal’s academies, arrived at Oakwell in the summer having failed to break into Leicester City’s senior side.
He has since made 10 appearances for the Reds and scored his second goal of the season in their EFL Trophy loss to Leeds United Under-21s on Tuesday (September 22).
His bright showing was a much-needed boost after a first-half withdrawal in the 1-1 league draw with his former club Leicester last weekend.
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Daniel Stendel’s message for Amani Richards
“It's more complicated than it looked like,” said Stendel. “We know his quality in one against one, his speed, but to bring it in the right time on the pitch...
“It was, on Saturday, not really, and we expected also so much more in our behaviour to defend. You have to learn every day more because the offence situation, like today [against Leeds Under-21s], you have not so much in a normal game.
“But then you have to defend and this is a performance that we need, more complex than he [can] do it at the moment.
“But it was, for him, some good situations in the second half and especially after coming off early on Saturday.”
Improved showing
Richards made way against Leicester in the aftermath of Luca Connell’s red card and watched from the bench as the Reds battled their way back into the game.
He was then a lively presence in the midweek meeting with Leeds’ under-21s, causing plenty of problems down the right flank as Barnsley delivered an improved second-half performance.
“Today he scored a goal,” said Stendel. “He has not scored so many goals.
“He scored a goal and here you have some really good situations, [that will] maybe give him positive energy for when we start again in the training week.”