Valerien Ismael's 'perfect' Barnsley start is 'a big step in the right direction'

Valerien Ismael hailed “a perfect start” to his Barnsley coaching career after leading the Reds to their first win of the season, 3-0 over Queens Park Rangers.
DEBUT WIN: Barnsley coach Valerien IsmaelDEBUT WIN: Barnsley coach Valerien Ismael
DEBUT WIN: Barnsley coach Valerien Ismael

The Frenchman watched Saturday's 1-1 draw with Millwall from the stands and only took training for the first time on Sunday but his effect was almost instant, as they pounced on Rob Dickie's 26th-minute red card to enjoy a victory more comfortable than the scoreline suggested.

“It was a perfect start,” he said. “It's always very good if you can start with a win. It gives you confidence for the work with the team, the players believe more in your words and quickly.

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“The first ten minutes were very difficult because QPR played very well, very strong, aggressive, lots of crosses in the box, it was very tough work for us but after 15, 20 minutes we came back in the game, it was much better from us and we created lots of good situations.

“The red card was a perfect situation.

“It was what I want to see, a vertical game, to try to get quickly into the box. We had a lot of control of the game and we put pressure high all the time, this is what I want to see. For me it doesn't matter if we win 3-0, 4-0, I want to see all the time the team keep going and they did this very well.

“It was a big step in the right direction.

“The staff did a very good job the last two days because everyone was open to understanding what I want and tried to translate it to the guys. It was a very good feeling the last two days.

“When you win like this it gives you confidence in this way of playing football but it's a long way and we have to do the same very time.”

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Barnsley's outstanding performer was Callum Styles, who excelled in central midfield in the first half, only for Ismael to decide to bring off Clark Oduor at the interval and move him to left wing-back.

“Callum is a very good player.,” said his new coach. “I already saw that on the videos I watched and in the first training session, you feel it. He's very intelligent and understood quickly what I wanted to see.

“I told him on the first day good players can play everywhere. He showed me that.

“It makes the team more flexible.”

Mark Warburton had no complaints about the red card, but felt it changed the whole complexion of the game.

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“It changed on the red card incident, unfortunately. I thought we started really well, we were camped in their half but the only frustration is you've got to score in those periods and take advantage of that dominance. If you don't do it, the game's on a knife edge.”

As Ismael pointed out, though, Barnsley were already feeling their way into the game when Dickie was dismissed, conceding a penalty converted by Cauley Woodrow.

“The first ten minutes were clearly QPR's but after that was more stable for us, we came back into the game, more confident with the ball and tried to play behind their four, a vertical game all the time.

“I saw a lot of very good situations.”

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