Video - Harsh lessons have put Barnsley on course for play-offs

THE phrase '˜out of adversity comes strength' is never more apt for a football club this season than Barnsley as Conor Hourihane can vouch for.
Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson.Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson.
Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

A thoroughly topsy-turvy League One campaign has seen the Reds remarkably transform from relegation candidates to promotion contenders in a little over two months.

Given some dark experiences in autumn and winter, complacency will not come into the equation, says the Reds captain.

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‘What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’ is also the mantra for the players after some bruising episodes in the final months of 2015.

Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson.Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson.
Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

Hard yards on the training ground helped end the sort of run that all professionals dread and yielded a sustained Reds renaissance.

Those tough times have also instilled reservoirs of character in a number of young Barnsley players, which is often just as important.

It is why Hourihane believes that no-one will be getting carried away following the Reds’ magnificent run of 10 wins from 12 League One games.

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It is a far cry from late last year when, at one stage, the Oakwell outfit endured a club record of eight consecutive league defeats.

Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson.Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson.
Barnsley's caretaker mananger, Paul Heckingbottom. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

The bottoming out point came on November 28. While a 1-1 derby draw with Sheffield United dropped the Reds to the bottom of the table, a last-gasp goal from Hourihane provided hope and the club have not looked back since.

They now find themselves only outside of the play-offs on goal difference.

The Reds captain, an influential force in setting up both goals in Barnsley’s 2-0 midweek victory over Coventry City – which moved them level on points with the sixth-placed Sky Blues – said: “We are on a good run as everyone knows. But eight or 10 weeks ago, we were near the bottom of the league.

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“We were at rock bottom and everyone was writing us off and we were worried about relegation. Therefore, everything we are doing at the minute is just a bonus.

“A lot of people last year were talking about the play-offs after we went on a run. But this year, to be honest, there’s not much talk inside the dressing room at all. A couple of months ago, we were in the relegation zone.

“We put in a lot of hard work on the training ground during the bad run that we were on. I felt we weren’t too far away and were hard done by in a few games but, at the minute, things are going for us.

“No-one is getting carried away, but there’s just a lot of smiling faces as we lost our fair share of games a few months back.

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“We have picked things up a lot quicker than people have thought. We are getting on well and the spirit is high and, after bringing in a lot of players last summer, we are just gelling at the right time. Hopefully, it can just continue.”

Continuity is also reaping its rewards in the dugout, with caretaker head coach Paul Heckingbottom having ensured a seamless transition following the departure of Lee Johnson to Bristol City a month ago.

Barnsley-born Heckingbottom has presided over four wins in his six matches in charge, with the Reds seeing their colours lowered just once, a hugely impressive feat for a first-time ‘manager’.

The run has led to calls for the 38-year-old to be handed the role for the rest of the season, at the very least.

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But, as it stands, the club are adhering to the maxim of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ with Heckingbottom the man in possession.

On Heckingbottom’s impact, Hourihane added: “I always knew when Hecky took over that things would just run smoothly. He’s a very good, intelligent footballing man and the lads get on with him great.

“Nothing has changed, he has taken things in his stride and long may it continue as he deserves his chance.

“He’s a good, bright coach, everyone loves him at the club and he puts on great coaching sessions. It’s nice for him and us that its going well.”

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Addressing his future, Heckingbottom has made no bones about his desire for an extended run in charge, but remains relaxed about things.

Heckingbottom, who says the club will assess top-scorer Sam Winnall, who came off with an ankle injury at half-time on Tuesday night, ahead of the weekend trip to Walsall, said: “I am happy to take it game by game. That decision is not in my hands.

“It would be nice for a longer run, of course it would. I never hide the fact that I love what I am doing and I am honoured to be doing it. I’d be lying if I said anything different.

“But, in terms of my approach to it, and doing the best possible job, I am just taking it game by game. It’s the same message that I am giving the players. We drive forward and the focus is on Walsall on Saturday and that’s it.”