[BFC SITE] "We Need to Get Better on the Ball" – Hourihane Reflects on First Game in Charge

Fixtures

• Mansfield Town Vs. Barnsley - Sat, Mar 15 2025, 15:00

Conor Hourihane’s first game in interim charge of Barnsley ended in frustration, as his side fell to a late 2-1 defeat against Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium.


After a whirlwind week that saw him appointed as head coach in midweek, Hourihane admitted the performance wasn’t good enough but remained optimistic about the work ahead.

“Yeah, definitely. Really disappointing, obviously, with how the game ended,” said Hourihane, reflecting on the late goal that condemned Barnsley to defeat. “Poor goal to give away. Obviously, we all hoped for kind of a brilliant performance and a win and all the rest of it, but it just wasn't meant to be.

“I thought the game was poor. I didn't think we were great, if I'm being really honest, and I said that to the lads. But look, giving them the benefit of the doubt a little bit. It's been a difficult week, a lot of change in a short space of time. And ultimately, I had high hopes today. Could we get a buzz? Could we get a kick out of them? And it just wasn't meant to be. Back to the training ground next week and start work again.”

The Reds struggled to gain control in a scrappy contest and, despite pulling a goal back through Josh Benson in the second half, failed to build on the momentum. Hourihane conceded the match did not pan out as he had anticipated.

“The game didn't open up like we thought it might,” he said. “I thought second half would we have a spell in the game where, you know, we were a little bit more dominant. Benno [Josh Benson] gets his goal, and we didn't quite build on that with momentum. It was scrappy, it wasn't great. It was a game we just had to do basics well and try and keep the ball in their half of the pitch. It never really kind of fell for us like that.”

Benson, making his first start in several months, was one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise difficult afternoon. His well-taken goal gave Barnsley hope, and his overall contribution drew praise from Hourihane.

“I thought Benno did really, really well. Obviously, not started a game for a long time. I was a bit wary of him coming into the game in terms of his fitness, but I thought he didn't have any issue,” he explained.

“I wanted to keep him on, I said, 60 minutes, and I'll keep him on for another five. Another five. Got his goal, took it really well. They're the areas that we want to try to get him in. He can handle the ball. He's energetic, he can press. So I thought he done well for, you know, he's not started a game in so long. To get the goal is great for him and hopefully he can build on that.”

However, Barnsley’s failure to sustain any spells of dominance after Benson’s goal was a source of disappointment for Hourihane. Despite some promising passages of play, including a chance for Stephen Humphrys in the first half, the team was unable to assert themselves for long periods.

“I didn't think we built that momentum enough,” he said. “You know the one kind of passage of play where we kept the ball from this left all the way over to Benno on the right was when we kind of opened them up. We didn't really have any more spells like that.

“Humps [Stephen Humphrys] gets a chance in the first half, if that goes in, maybe a little bit different. We didn't quite build on the goal to gather that momentum really.”

Hourihane was clear about the areas his team must improve on as they prepare for the remaining nine fixtures of the League One campaign. Technical improvements on the ball, coupled with greater energy and intensity, will be the focus in training this week.

“I think a bit of everything,” he admitted. “I think we need to get better on the ball. Can we have a little bit more energy in terms of competing? At this level, we should be keeping the ball a little bit better. We should be having more phases in the game and more periods of pressure.

“It didn't quite fall for that like that today, but I said to the lads in there, we need to get better on the ball. We need to do more more training, more hard work, and hopefully, after a good week's training next week, we can put on a better performance.”

Despite the result, Hourihane spoke with pride about stepping out for the first time as Barnsley Head Coach. A former captain of the club, he was given a warm reception by the sold-out away end before kick-off, an experience he clearly valued.

“Huge pride. Wanted it to end it a different way, of course,” he said. “The Club and the lads, to be fair, have been brilliant over the last couple of days. The reaction around the training ground, the buzz, everyone's been giving really good feedback.

“The reception off the fans at the start was brilliant, and it just kind of didn't end, that fairytale, that I wanted it to. Nine to go and get ready for next week again.”

Barnsley’s next test against Cambridge United at Oakwell comes after a full week on the training ground, where Hourihane will be hoping to embed his ideas and prepare his side for a stronger showing in front of the Reds faithful.

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And off the ball

 

So they weren't on the ball yesterday.

 

Piss right off. Have the rules of football changed Conor? Is it now played with a tennis ball?

That is absolutely shameful. You have basically said "could I get the players to try. No"

 

No s*** Sherlock! He could have stopped at “We need to get better”.

 

Thanks Darrell

 

And off the ball and better at Tackling, shooting, passing, heading and learn the french bloke how to take a throw in. In fact we need to learn the players how to play football. You'd think he hadn't been here since June in coaching role

 

We need to find a bit of fight from somewhere too. Any side that’s a bit physical, in our face and presses us, we just can’t cope. Absolutely pathetic bunch. Apart from Roberts there aren’t any leaders at all.

 

I honestly think this is one of the main reasons we’re rubbish. We’ve definitely had worse sides than this one in terms of ability, but I reckon this is the worst side I can remember in terms of attitude, determination and character. Probably Roberts aside, the whole team is just generally spineless and for me that’s where the summer recruitment should focus (obviously it won’t and we’ll end up with five new midfielders no one’s heard of. Supplemented by a couple of loans. Who are also midfielders).

 

Been saying it for ages. They’re utterly spineless.

 

Teach.