Mick Tarmey.... Academy Manager... Some good stuff in here.

 <p align="center"><table class="caption" cellspacing="0" width="140" align="center" border="0"><tbody><tr><td class="captionImage" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></td></tr><tr><td class="captionText"><div class="innerCaptionText">Mick Tarmey</div></td></tr></tbody></table></p>

REDS Academy coach Mick Tarmey looked back on the final week of the season and reflected on an eventful campaign for the club's youngsters.</p>

Mick told www.barnsleyfc.co.uk: &quot;We travelled to West Brom last weekend for a real trip into the unknown. They are new to the Academy system this season and looking at their results, have endured a campaign similar to our own in the fact that they have picked up through the final few months and claimed some notable results.</p>

&quot;We have seen the lads really come on tactically since the turn of the year when we decided that it was no good only getting plaudits for our performances - we needed to start getting results if we were to help the kids develop further.</p>

&quot;We picked up nine points before Christmas and so we sat down as a squad and decided what we wanted to achieve - whether that would be a win, draw or performance - from the remaining eleven matches. We needed the youngsters to develop tactically and we sat down before every game, used the Smart Board, and worked through our shape, tactics and game plan.</p>

&quot;We really saw had the rewards from that and we went on to pick up 21 points from our final eleven matches. The second half of the season was not just about development football - it was about getting the lads to go out and get results.</p>

&quot;At West Brom we did really well and played some free flowing football. The whole eleven did wonderfully and played on the front foot with tempo. We created chances and could have really won the game by three or four goals. It was nice to see the lads so disappointed from picking up a draw away from home&quot;.</p>

He added: &quot;It gave us a great platform to go to Newcastle United and try to end the season on a high. I love going to Newcastle because they really go about things in the right way and play good football. They have a lot of respect for us up there and it is always nice to hear the Academy at Barnsley praised.</p>

&quot;To be fair to the lads they carried on really well from the West Brom game and cannot be disappointed at all. We had to deal with being down to ten men after Luke Potter was dismissed but I am happy that he has learned something from his decisions and will be a better player for it. We could have even robbed it right at the death and I do not know how Richard Batley managed to miss from on the goal line.</p>

&quot;I have to give enormous praise to the lads this season as we have been restricted to working with a squad of 14 or 15 for most of the campaign. We have also been without Simon Heslop, Robert Atkinson and Nathan Jarman for various reasons but the lads have kept going, kept fit and been magnificent to work with. They work tremendously hard in training and deserve some accolades for that.</p>

&quot;The league table does not flatter us this season but we were bottom at Christmas with only nine points and the lads have applied themselves wonderfully to battle above Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday. They have given themselves every chance of going on to earn a pro deal when their scholarships end.</p>

&quot;I have to say a massive thank you to all the coaches in the Academy at Oakwell for their tireless and selfless work every week. They are teaching these youngsters how to play football in the right way and hopefully they will take enormous pride whenever a professional contract is signed.</p>

&quot;I also have to thank Elaine and Kath in the laundry for all their help this season. They have been a godsend and have always found time to go out and sell teamsheets or make assessors a cup of tea when we have been short on numbers.</p>

&quot;We simply could not have achieved anything without the continued support and knowledge of Norman Rimmington. 'Rimmo' has been a father figure to me and has always been in the background whenever this club has produced a crop of talented youngsters. His wisdom and knowledge has been priceless.</p>

&quot;The groundstaff have kept all the Academy pitches in fantastic condition all season and always deserve credit when our facilities are praised. They have managed to keep our youngsters training on grass for virtually the full season and I am sure that has contributed to the lack of injuries throughout the Academy set up.</p>

&quot;We have help every day from Jo, the chef, who makes sure the lads eat the right stuff. She also keeps an eye on them and lets me know how they are doing and if they are having the right amount.</p>

&quot;In regards to the tiny family we have here at Oakwell, I have to thank Andy Ritchie for showing huge faith in me and handing me the reserves this season. It is a massive compliment that Andy and Rick (Holden) have that faith in my ability and it has been a great honour and challenge.</p>

&quot;Tom Little has been an unsung hero this year for the first team and throughout the Academy. He worked tirelessly with me to get us through the Ofsted inspection with flying colours.</p>

&quot;I have been lucky to have Richard Kay working alongside me with the kids and, because he also has a good background in coaching as well, he has been able to take some of the strain when the kids have grown tired of hearing me everyday.</p>

&quot;And finally? I have to give thanks to Darren (Hayes) and Rachel (Hearne) in the marketing department as well as Rob (Knowles) for making my four year old son's day the other week when he was a mascot. He loved every minute of it and it was an afternoon that I will never forget&quot;.</p>