Conor Hourihane said it was ‘special’ to record his first win as Barnsley interim head coach with a 4-1 thrashing of Bolton Wanderers at Oakwell on Saturday.
Jon Russell and Fabio Jalo scored two goals each for the Reds who ended a seven-game winless run.
Hourihane told the Chronicle: “We’ve worked really hard over three or four weeks and obviously the result is the big one but the biggest thing for me is the performance. It wasn’t a scrappy, hanging-on win. It was good from start to finish.”
He added: “I am really pleased. Full credit to the players. They were outstanding.
“I could feel it coming. I said before the game I was really looking forward to it because I felt the energy in training was really good.
“I am really proud of everyone in the building for sticking with the work, staying consistent and not coming away from what we want to do.
“It was special to do it at home against a good team. It was massive to get a big home win. Everyone goes on about home form. It just all came together.”
Hourihane praised the Barnsley supporters and added: “I know the fans wanted the ‘three yays’ from me or whatever you call it. Not for me, I need more than one win. I appreciated fans singing my name. But it’s full focus on next game.”
The second goal was a set piece routine finished off by Jalo. Hourihane said: “The flip around, we call it. Ed (Davies, analyst) and Steady (Jon Stead) have taken on set plays and work really hard on that. I am a big believer that set pieces win or lose you games. It was special because we’ve done the normal one a lot but we’ve changed it, adapted and evolved it then when you see it come off it’s pretty nice.”
Russell, who scored the first and last, said: “I am happy with the goals and team performance. We are all chuffed.
“For the first one, Humps (Stephen Humphrys) was out wide, dragged the player out which allowed me space to drive in then I slotted it in the corner. The second one was a great cross by Phillo (Adam Phillips) and I got over it.
“That equals eight now. I would love to go for double digits.”
Striker Max Watters picked up an injury in training but Hourihane hopes it was ‘not a bad one’ while Luca Connell – who the head coach said was ‘outstanding’ – came off with cramp.
