Conor Hourihane and Scott Banks on whether Barnsley can gatecrash League One play-offs - plus a message to fans
CONOR Hourihane returns to where it all began for him as Barnsley head coach on Saturday.
His first match in interim charge was at Mansfield Town on March 15, 2025. Almost exactly 12 months to the day, he heads back to Field Mill and the similarities do not quite end there.
Last March, Barnsley - while being adrift of the final play-off spot in League One - still had a faint interest at the start of the run-in.
It's a case of deja-vu for Hourihane, who celebrates his first anniversary at the helm today - after being asked to take over on an interim basis initially, following the sacking of Darrell Clarke.
His Reds side, who delivered a gutsy performance to repel second-placed Cardiff City in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw, are seven points behind the side currently occupying sixth place in Huddersfield Town.
They have two matches in hand and their run home could certainly look a lot worse on paper.
A successful play-off tilt is unlikely, for sure. But not yet impossible for Barnsley, who showed far more resilience and toughness in midweek than they did in the reverse fixture in the Principality in January when they were thrashed 4-0 at Cardiff.
If they can marry that on a consistent basis with their obvious attacking strengths - only the top two have scored more goals – between now and May 2, it is not quite as far-fetched as it sounds. Although it remains a big if, given evidence this season.
The Reds chief believes that his side's matches ahead of the international break against the Stags and at home to Wigan Athletic and Doncaster Rovers - all three are in the relegation picture to varying degrees - will determine whether their interest extends beyond late March.
No harm in fighting for something, surely…
Hourihane said: "We've got three games next week before the international break; our game (against Northampton) might be off.
"So can we have one big last effort for these three games and pick up as many points as we can?"
Offering his take, loan winger Scott Banks, who scored Barnsley's leveller against Cardiff, continued: "There's always teams every year that take a run at it. There's no reason why it can't be us.
"If we can keep the goals out and do the ugly side and see things out, we're in a great spot."
After the tennis-ball protest from some irate supporters in Saturday's home game with Exeter City - with anger directed towards the club's hierarchy - the mood among the home faithful was much more positive at Oakwell on Tuesday evening as they bought into the hosts' plucky on-pitch efforts against a divisional heavyweight.
It did not go unnoticed, according to Hourihane, although he added a caveat.
He commented: "I think it was really, really pleasing, but I think my big thing is that it's kind of easy to rally around when probably people didn't fancy us and they want to get behind the team and give us every chance to get a result.
"But we need that at home to Exeter, Stevenage – and Wigan and Doncaster next week. You can't galvanise just because we feel like it's going to be a tough night against Cardiff. We need that game in, game out."
Barnsley's goals against column is still open to rebuke, but a concession of four goals in four matches represents incremental involvement nevertheless, given that the Reds had shipped 18 in their previous eight league games.
After placing a great deal of focus on improving his defence on the training ground and in the classroom in recent weeks, Hourihane is seeing some marginal gains, with Mael de Gevigney and Eoghan O'Connell having a good evening alongside each other, well supported by auxiliary left-back Jack Shepherd.
Keeper Owen Goodman, who has not been beyond censure in his time at the club, also had a rewarding night.
De Gevigney's mini-renaissance has been particularly gratifying with the French defender having vindicated Hourihane's faith after returning to the starting line-up following a difficult season.
With his contract being up in the summer, it could well be timely, with the Reds having an option in their favour.
Hourihane added: "He's been outstanding and he trains like it's his last training session every single day.
"He had a frustrating couple of months around Christmas time where he's not really been in the team and he's come in and he's been first class since he's come into the team all of a sudden.
"Not that he'll rest on his laurels because he's one that's really at it every single day.
"The people at the back at the minute, Mael, Eoghan O'Connell and Owen Goodman; they're the first names on the teamsheet at the minute and that's what it's all about.
"When you get your opportunity, be ready and Mael's a perfect example of that."