CONOR Hourihane knows he will not get a long honeymoon period as Barnsley boss despite his legendary status and is looking forward to his first home match in the role after a promising week on the training pitch.
The Reds are tenth in League One, nine points off the top six play-off places with nine games remaining starting at home to lowly Cambridge United tomorrow.
They have lost their last three matches and taken ten points from their last 12.
They lost 2-1 at Mansfield Town on Saturday, Hourihane’s first game in charge after the sacking of Darrell Clarke on Wednesday of last week.
The recruitment process for the next head coach is ongoing but Hourihane is expected to be in charge until the summer.
Hourihane told the Chronicle: “There’s a frustration there (from the fans) regardless of my attachment to the club from playing. I know that doesn’t last forever.
“The fans are obviously voicing their opinion and that’s fine.
“They want us higher, in the play-offs, and I get that – it was the same when I was a player.
“Hopefully we can get a result for them at the weekend, push that little bit of noise to one side and move in the right direction.”
This has been Hourihane’s first full week of training with the players as the boss.
He said: “It’s been better this week.
“Thursday and Friday last week was full-on and chaotic then we didn’t put the performance in that we wanted for the fans on Saturday.
“After a full week’s training and a really good week in the classroom and on the grass, cementing ideas, I am hopeful that we can put in a good performance and see those ideas come out.
“This is the time I will probably be judged on from now because I have had time on the grass and a little bit of time with the players.”
He also said: “We’re focusing on the demands that I am trying to give the players and the standards around the place – timekeeping, application towards training.
“That gives you a base to work off and it’s really important for this group. There will be consequences if they don’t reach that demand.”
Hourihane is working alongside Tom Harban, who has been promoted from the under 21s coaching staff, as well as previous assistant head coaches Martin Devaney – who was caretaker twice before – and Jon Stead.
“It’s been brilliant.
“There is a lot of experience in the room.
“They have been around the block as players and coaches.
“I am leaning on them and fortunate to have them.
“It’s really important they all help me along because I am inexperienced.”
The game against Cambridge will be Hourihane’s first at Oakwell as head coach having been Reds captain a decade ago then returning for this season initially as player/coach.
He said: “It will be special.
“My wife and kids will be here.
“My mum and dad will be over from Ireland.
“They had pencilled in this game to come over and it’s funny how it works out.
“The club put me on the map as a player.
“They have given me an opportunity to come back as a coach and it’s spiralled into something I didn’t think would happen so soon.
“This is a chance to repay them.”
Remaining fixtures: Cambridge H, tomorrow; Wigan Athletic, A, March 29; Exeter City, H, April 1; Birmingham City, A, April 5; Bolton Wanderers, H, April 12; Leyton Orient, A, April 18; Peterborough United, H, April 21; Shrewsbury Town, H, April 26; Reading, A, May 3.
