No advantage for home teams, insists Barnsley FC head coach Gerhard Struber

BARNSLEY head coach Gerard Struber has stressed that the notion of sides possessing a home advantage will count for nothing when the Championship resumes in its 'new normal' of matches played in empty stadiums this weekend.
Gerhard Struber. PICTURE: TONY JOHNSON.Gerhard Struber. PICTURE: TONY JOHNSON.
Gerhard Struber. PICTURE: TONY JOHNSON.

The Reds, seven points adrift of safety with nine points remaining, make the trip to bogey ground Loftus Road to face QPR, where the club's last victory arrived in 1950 at a venue where they have lost on their last 11 visits.

Not interested in history, but in the here and now, Struber feels that games in football's resumption will be played on a level playing field, with home teams having no crowd advantage.

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Struber said: "I think the home effect shows us, especially from Germany and Austria, that it does not have a big impact. I think the big impact is the concentration in the game style and big focus in the task in every moment in a game.

"What we can do in the next few weeks is make sure every single player knows the game plan and their task in every second on the field. Whether you play at home or away is not a big question in this time. It is more concentration in a special atmosphere and playing with high motivation and intensity and focus in the right game style. This is the biggest challenge."

Meanwhile, Struber has stressed that all of his squad will be utilised in the club's hectic run to the end of the season and feels that is the only approach for a Reds side whose high intensity gegenpressing style is physically demanding.

The Austrian, who reports a fit squad for Saturday's game, added: "We have good energy and self-motivation and are at a good level. Our match plan for QPR is smart.

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"We need every single player and we will have to change. For single player, we need the right loads.

"In my game style, it is very important we have the right intensity. I saw the players against (friendly opponents) Sheffield United with high intensity and we are good to go with high intensity. This is key to my style.

"Every single player is ready for intensity and metres and all the moves we need to win the ball quickly. My boys are ready."

"At the moment, every single player is ready and this is a good signal."