Darrell Clarke praised his side for their much-improved ‘game management’ as they beat Sheffield United in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday.
Max Watters netted the only goal for the Reds in the South Yorkshire derby.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “It’s a good night. Defensively we were a lot lot better. Our press was good at times then, when we needed to see the game out, we did it. I was very critical of the game management on Saturday (a 2-2 draw with Northampton) when we chucked two points away. We did it well tonight.
“We sat in a block of ten in the last ten minutes and did it well. The ‘keeper has pulled a save or two out which you always need.”
Defender Donovan Pines added: "As a collective it was amazing. Coach told us after Saturday we had to change our mindset. We did that.
“We communicated better, pressed a lot more and stayed in our shape the best we could. We stayed focused, organised and got to the finish line.
“We had to gut it out. It was a hard-fought game. The luck kind of went our way as well – the ball hitting the post, going wide, hitting Gaga’s (Gabriel Slonina) neck and going out of bounds.”
The Reds took the lead early in the second half through Watters’ second goal of the week, tapping in from an Adam Phillips cross.
Clarke said: “We got out the blocks really well in the second half and scored a really good goal.
“Max’s workrate was outstanding without the ball which we need if we’re going to press like I want. Then he was in the right place at the right time for the goal. It was a great slip and slide from Philo who put a great ball across.”
The victory was Barnsley’s first at home in 11 attempts since February. Clarke said: “It’s good to get the first home win. It should have been two already.
“I want to build the relationship with the fans but we have to win consistently. We will keep chipping away, improving the players in all aspects of the game.”
Barnsley are in the third round for the first time since 2021. Clarke said: “It’s great. Hopefully we get a decent draw. We will try to go as far as we can.”
Barry Cotter came off with ‘tight muscles’ but Clarke hoped he would be fit for Saturday’s trip to Crawley in the league. He said the same about striker Sam Cosgrove, who picked up a knock against Northampton, and midfielder Matty Craig who has missed both matches this week with a calf problem.
Barnsley are close to signing Sweden international striker Victor Edvardsen, according to reports overseas. Swedish and Dutch news outlets are reporting that he could join the Reds on a season-long loan from Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands.
