Barnsley FC manager Conor Hourihane is approaching the new League One season with a quiet confidence, prioritizing internal belief and on-field performance over external perceptions regarding the club’s promotion aspirations.
Unlike previous seasons where the Reds might have been touted as strong contenders, many League One observers are currently less vocal about Barnsley’s immediate promotion prospects. However, Hourihane remains unfazed by these outside opinions, asserting that they neither motivate nor distress him.
His focus remains steadfastly on the tangible progress and actions within the club, rather than dwelling on commentary. Despite not being one for bold predictions, the head coach maintains a strong conviction that the squad is in a remarkably “good place,” perhaps exceeding the expectations of some pundits.
Hourihane elaborated on his team’s readiness, stating, “Whether people are thinking: ‘we’ll do okay this year’ or ‘it’s a bit of a reset’, I’ve got my opinion and thoughts on the squad and I think we are in a good place.” This sentiment underscores his faith in the players and the strategic direction of Barnsley FC.
As the season opener against his former club Plymouth Argyle looms, Hourihane is diligently monitoring the fitness of several key players. While the squad boasts considerable depth, only Georgie Gent and Fabio Jalo are currently sidelined with longer-term injuries, ensuring a strong contingent for the initial fixtures.
A significant boost to the Barnsley squad is the recent acquisition of Patrick Kelly, whose impressive loan spell at Doncaster Rovers last season caught the eye. Hourihane openly admitted that the opportunity to sign the talented 20-year-old, which only materialised recently, was simply too compelling to pass up for Barnsley’s League One campaign.
Expressing his excitement about the new signing, Hourihane enthused, “I am really excited by Patrick. He came up over the last week and did really well at Doncaster and everyone I spoke to about him spoke really, really highly of him.” This high praise suggests Kelly is expected to make an immediate impact.
Looking ahead to the sentimental journey to Home Park this weekend, Hourihane reflected on the fixture’s poetic timing. “It’s great to be going back and it’s funny how it works out with the fixtures and it’s one of your old clubs as your first game,” he remarked, clearly anticipating the return to familiar territory.
He concluded his thoughts on the upcoming match by emphasizing his eagerness: “But I am really looking forward to going back there. It’s a long time ago now but there’s still a few familiar faces and one or two still there – definitely one of the coaching staff who I think really highly of.” This personal touch adds another layer of intrigue to Barnsley’s season debut.
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