[BFC SITE] "You've got to find different ways of winning games at this level" - Darrell...

Fixtures

• Northampton Town Vs. Barnsley - Tue, Feb 25 2025, 19:45

A dogged performance for the Reds ensured back-to-back victories for Darrell Clarke's men in Northampton on Tuesday night.


Speaking to the media post-match, Clarke was quick to acknowledge that, while the performance was not quite up to the high standards he expects, his team showed great character in securing the three points.

"I've got an honest bunch in there, the performance isn't up to the standards we would have liked," Clarke said. "The way we dug in, I've just said in there, get your heads up... We looked pretty comfortable at two-nil, having to defend a lot of balls in our box but we dealt with that really well. Then we give a really silly goal away and it's backs to the wall. Fair play to the boys, defending it well in those last ten, fifteen minutes."

Clarke reflected on how the team had shown grit and resilience in the closing stages, especially after a late goal from the home side had put Barnsley under pressure. However, he was keen to highlight the positives from the win, which he described as another important step forward.

"We said it was a small stepping stone after Saturday, it's another stepping stone today to get the three points," he explained. "I want better performances, if I'm honest. But so do my players. We understand that we weren't at it but for a couple of goals from DKD [Davis Keillor-Dunn]. We were too loose in possession, but we dug in and you've got to find different ways of winning games at this level. You see how difficult the league is, everyone can beat each other, a team that has won three out of the last four [in Northampton Town], so it's pleasing to get the win and that's the most positive thing about the night."

Clarke also singled out several standout individual performances, praising his forwards and defenders for their contributions. "I thought the front two were excellent today," Clarke said. "I thought Humps [Stephen Humphrys] was back to his best. DKD gets the plaudits, great goals, great finishes. Humps put one hell of a shift in up there. I thought Marc Roberts at the back was absolutely outstanding. Headed everything in the middle of our sticks. What a colossal of a guy. We needed him today and the rest followed suit. When you've got a leader like Robbo [Roberts], doing things like that, he was amazing for me tonight. Credit to the boys for digging in, we've got another game Saturday."

Goalkeeper Jackson Smith also received praise from Clarke, with the Barnsley boss impressed by his early saves and composed performance. "A couple of good saves early on done him the world of good," Clarke said. "The foul when they get the free-kick on the edge of the box, he handles that well. He's done everything right today, I can't fault him for his performance. Hopefully, he will grow on from there."

Looking ahead to the next challenge, Clarke highlighted the importance of continuing to build momentum, particularly with a home game agaisnt Lincoln City on the horizon. "You try and win your next game," he said. "This gives us a platform. We have to thank our away support that have followed us tonight. Tough on a Tuesday night, coming out all the way down here. The boys really appreciate their support, along with myself and my staff. Hopefully we can get quite a few fans in on Saturday night, get behind the boys and get that home win."

The Reds now turn their focus to the Imps on Saturday at Oakwell, looking to build on the back-to-back wins achieved this week.

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The guy will make his mouth say owt

 

'I'm really pleased we won because it probably means I won't get sacked for the moment. The team do play a lot of dull, uninspiring football and they constantly make idiotic errors but, like I say, we won. Credit to Mladen for getting bodies in recently too. I'm not really using the new lads because they're no better than what we've got to be honest but credit to Mladen anyway. Its always nice to pick up three points away from home even against opposition as woeful as Northampton. As I've said, a win's a win, I'm over the moon. It was a game of two halves. Saturday we go again. We will try and make Oakwell a fortress again even though our home fans are completely fed up and aren't expecting anything scintillating. I'll still be in a job by next Monday now even if we lose so I'm quite upbeat.'

 

Unless I am missing something our own media didn't even ask him the main thing fans would have wanted to know, which is how long Gauci is out for.