Barnsley FC's Daniel Stendel on managing returning players and reacting to setbacks
Daniel Stendel had key players back for Barnsley at Luton Town on Tuesday, but he knows he has to be careful with what he asks of them at Reading on Saturday.
And he says he needs a quicker reaction to setbacks from his whole group after they put themselves on the back foot by conceding a set-piece goal in the second minute at Kenilworth Road.
Goalkeeper Cieran Slicker made an overdue Reds debut, and Ziyad Larkeche and Makenzie Kirk returned from injury, with the latter scoring. All had been out injured.
And although Stendel picks from the same squad at Reading at the weekend, he will have to be conscious of not asking too much of certain players.
Until Tuesday, left-back Larkeche had only played 53 minutes this season, the last of them half a game at home to Stevenage on September 5 before succumbing to a plantar fasciitis problem. He came on at half-time at Luton, where Barnsley lost 2-1.
"It's better that we have some more options," said coach Stendel. "But also, Ziyad Larkeche, I liked his performance in the second half but he trained also not really three weeks with the team.
"It was a good performance, but it's a different 90 minutes (on Saturday).
"We have to look at how he feels today (Thursday)
"But it was a good feeling to have him back in the squad and to have the chance to bring him in."
Stendel was asked if his players had a weak mentality. They have lost their last five matches in all competitions, and dropped into the League One relegation zone at the weekend.
"I don't want to say we have a mentality problem," commented Stendel.
"I think the guys try their best, but we want to do so much and we have a positive energy in the dressing room before (games).
"And then you can see it after two minutes (that Barnsley concede).
"We have to fight against it and to show the reaction in this game from the first moment.
"I think we need a positive experience now to change it. And the only one who can work for that is us.
"I expect it from every player.
"We have some quality on the pitch, but the first thing is to take the fight in every duel, in every header and every ball that you have to defend that you can win.
"These are the basics in football and this is what we have to show."