Barnsley v Stoke City - Points priority for Reds chief

IT is fair to say that Barnsley are one of the most talked about teams in Championship circles at the minute.
Valerien Ismael: Focussed. Picture: Bruce RollinsonValerien Ismael: Focussed. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Valerien Ismael: Focussed. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Much of it has centred on their incessant pressing style and being a hard team to play against.

Naturally, head coach Valerien Ismael is happy enough to hear those words, but his major preoccupation is substance and not style with his Reds side showing consistency of the right sort of late by virtue of three successive wins.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tonight’s challenge is to make it four for the first time under his watch and keep the pressure on those sides above them in the play-off pack.

On talk of Barnsley being a difficult side to face, he said: “Unpleasant is the right word. It was our purpose since I came here. We said that our philosophy to play football was with our intensity and belief and the quality from the players is also important.

“But, all the time, you have to prove this on the pitch on any game or match-day. Now, when you are getting the results with the way to play football, it is a reward for all the players and their commitment.

“But it is not enough to get the praise, but the result. At the end, you can get the praise with the result and this is what we are looking for.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alongside some bouquets, there have also been brickbats from others.

After his side’s loss at Barnsley last Wednesday, Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray spoke about the Reds’ directness and while hailing their intensity, he added a caveat by saying it was not his preferred way to play football.

As far as Ismael is concerned, he has no particular interest in how rival managers view his side.

He added: “I do not care what the others say. I just focus on my team to get the points and concentrate on the strength of my team and getting the maximum from them and have to focus on the strength of the guys to win the game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The other (things) is just discussion. Football is all about getting the result.”

Striker Victor Adeboyejo heads into the game with the boost of a contract extension, with the 23-year-old now contracted at Oakwell until June, 2022.

He commented: “At the start of the season, it looked quite slim, but the manager has come in and putting in the work I have, I have been able to show what I can do.”

Ismael added: “It is a breakthrough (for Adeboyejo). I believe in his skills and quality. He is a team player and his skills are very important for us and he is not finished in his development.”

Last six games: Barnsley DDLWWW; Stoke LDDLWW.

Referee: D Bond (Lancashire).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last time: Barnsley 2 Stoke 4, November 9, 2019; Championship.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.