CONOR Hourihane is willing to ‘sacrifice a couple of results’ in order to get Barnsley playing the way he wants as their winless run continues ahead of tomorrow’s tip to runaway leaders Birmingham City.
The Reds are 11th in League One, nine points below the play-offs and 15 clear of the relegation zone.
They are winless in six with four losses and two defeats while they have taken just 12 points from 15 games across the last three months.
This week they drew 1-1 at Wigan Athletic on Saturday then lost 2-1 at home to Exeter City on Tuesday.
Interim boss Hourihane has collected two points from four games in charge so far. He told the Chronicle: “I want to win more than anyone else but I don’t want to come away from the messages, the consistency and what I am looking to do.
“I would prefer to sacrifice a couple of results for the way I want to go about it and see my team play. When I see the lads buying into it, that brings just as much pride than maybe winning an ugly game. Maybe there will be tough times in the short-term but hopefully, towards the end of the season, we will get results off the back of that.”
Hourihane says he has received positive feedback from those above him at the club.
“They are happy with the environment and standards and behaviours which is important. They have been happy with elements of the performances in terms of high-pressing, a little bit more possession-based, playing with pace. That’s what the fans want to see. We’re just missing results but we need to cut out one or two errors and hopefully get some more of the rub of the green.”
The Blues lead the division by 11 points and are 14 clear in the top two, with at least one game in hand on most teams. They cannot be promoted by beating Barnsley but, depending on other results, they could move to within a point of confirming a place in the top two. Chris Davies’ side will break the EFL points record of 106 if they collect 18 from their last eight games.
They spent more than £30milion this season including a reported £15million on striker Jay Stansfield.
While they have lost three away league games this season – most recently at Bolton a month ago – they are unbeaten at home with 17 wins and three draws.
They have the most home points of any side in English football this season, and they have won their last nine at St Andrew’s in the league.
They have the best defensive record in the division with 26 goals conceded – including just nine at home – and are the joint top-scorers with Wycombe.
This week they won 4-1 at home to bottom club Shrewsbury Town on Saturday then 2-1 at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.
Barnsley have the fourth best away record in the division with ten wins, but have taken just seven points from their last eight games on the road.
Hourihane said: “Everyone in that dressing room should be looking forward to playing a big club who are top of the league in a bit of an atmosphere.
“If you don’t want to play in a game like that, there is something wrong.
“We will be up against it, no doubt, but we will meet it head on.
“I know Chris Davies and have sought advice from him in the last year.
“You can spend all the money in the world but it doesn’t always mean success. For him to bring it all together this season is credit to him.
“We’re not going to sit off, or go into a low block and hope for the best.
“We are going to try to hit them head on, make it uncomfortable for them and try to get success off the press.
“We won’t change the approach if it’s bottom or top of the table.”
As a former Aston Villa player, Hourihane is expecting a hostile reception from the home supporters.
“I could potentially get a bit of stick but it’s all part of game. I played in many derby games against them and I am unbeaten which I would like to add.
“I have fond memories of them and it’s been ferocious. It will be an interesting day for myself.”
Barnsley defender Marc Roberts spent seven years with Birmingham before returning to his hometown club last summer while both Corey O’Keeffe and Connor Barratt came through the Blues’ academy.
Barnsley lost 2-1 at home to City in December.
They took the lead through an own goal by Paik Seung-Ho but Stansfield netted twice either side of a red card for Adam Phillips.
The two clubs have met 88 times with Barnsley winning 26 and losing 41.
The Reds have won four of their last seven games at St Andrew’s but lost their most recent game there in 2022.
After visiting Birmingham, the Reds are due to play two other promotion hopefuls as they host Bolton Wanderers on April 12 then visit Leyton Orient on Good Friday.
They then host Peterborough United on Easter Monday and Shrewsbury Town five days later before completing the season at Reading on May 3.
