[BFC SITE] Clement Rodrigues on Settling into Life at Oakwell – Exclusive Video Interview

Since arriving at Oakwell in January, Clement Rodrigues has been working hard to settle into his new surroundings and make an impact on the pitch.

In an exclusive video interview, Reds centre-back Mael de Gevigney sits down with the Reds striker to discuss his first few months at Oakwell, his adaptation to English football, and how he’s enjoying life in South Yorkshire.

Rodrigues, who made the switch to Barnsley in the winter transfer window, speaks candidly about the challenges and excitement of joining a new club mid-season. He shares insights into how his teammates have helped him feel at home, the step up in intensity, and his ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.

De Gevigney, who himself joined the Reds from France back in the summer of 2023, provides his own perspective on settling into a new country and league, making for a fascinating conversation between the pair.

Watch the full interview now on our official YouTube channel to hear from Rodrigues himself as he reflects on his journey so far and looks ahead to an exciting future at Oakwell.

Watch Now:

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Clearly not an easy transition for the lad. Would love it if it worked out for him....and us

 

Interview hammers home what a folly it was to think he could have an impact and strengthen us this season.
If he turns out any good (which hasn’t looked very likely so far) I very much doubt it’ll be this season.

 

Feel really sorry for him. It's an absolutely stupid signing when the poor ******* is put into situations like Saturday where he couldn't communicate with any of our coaching staff or players.

 

That's the positivity which draws me back to this forum on a daily basis.

 

It’s the truth though

 

Realism I’d call it. What makes you think he’s going to benefit us in the current season? He doesn’t speak the language and is miles off being up the physical demands of L1 football. Not a gamble worth taking as a key signing that was needed in January.
That’s just fact, not negativity.

 

Don’t be negative….

 

Nearly bumped into MDG on the way out on Saturday, down the stairs in the East Stand. Rocking the pale blue tracksuit.

 

I don’t buy this.

Amine Bassi could barely speak a word of English but he impressed. Stendel could say yes, no and that was about it when he arrived and still got his messages across in those early weeks of pre-season.

The language of football is universal.

 

So you reckon he’s just crap then?

 

Armine Bassi had played plenty of games at a high level though. This lad has played most of his games as low as the sixth tier of French football.

 

This guy will be on next to nowt I assume and cost us zero…….it’s a punt worth taking, if it works, great, if not it’s not cost us much. I do recognise we needed something a tad more substantial but we didn’t get it so slating a lad who’s been put in a tricky situation is uncalled for IMO

 

Agree.

We should all back him, but keep expectations realistic. It’s a no brainer for him to come over here - he’ll have jumped at the chance. Who wouldn’t!

I suspect that we had someone better lined up, which for whatever reason didn’t work. And the plan was for this lad to come and have a low-risk punt as well as the other bloke. But he ended being the only one.

They do work sometimes - Sollbauer was an unknown that did. Even Schmidt eventually scored a couple of critical goals late in the season to help us survive relegation.

Like I say - I don’t think he was planned to be the main striker signing we hoped for….

 

I just don't think his lack of English will affect his ability to play the game. We've signed loads of lads from overseas. It's never been an issue that I've encountered anyway. In team meetings, when dealing with stuff outside the club, then absolutely it'll present challenges. But that's why the club employs player care/liaison staff. But on the pitch, football is football.

As I said in another thread, had we signed him in June or July and allowed him to enjoy a pre-season etc I think we'd get a truer reflection of his ability. And his transition would be much simpler. But it is what it is. And with Watters and Humphrys back in the fold, he's unlikely to get much of an opportunity anyway. I hope he gets on tomorrow night and everything clicks for him and he goes on a run of 12 goals in 12 games. That's what we all want.

 

Again, I wasn't knocking Rodrigues. I'm just disagreeing with some posters who seem to think his lack of the King's is an issue.

I might be wrong as well. It's been known.

 

Once he's got his dog over here he'll be reyt.