CONOR Hourihane is ‘relatively happy’ with Barnsley’s squad going into the first game of the season and is not currently looking for a new centre-back as they are ‘blessed’ and ‘fortunate’ with the players they have in that position.
The Reds are due to travel down to Devon today before their opening game of the season at Plymouth Argyle tomorrow, while there is now exactly a month until the transfer window shuts on Monday, September 1.
This week they signed young midfielder Patrick Kelly from West Ham United, taking their tally for the window to six after they brought in wingers Caylan Vickers and Reyes Cleary, goalkeeper Murphy Cooper, left-back Nathanel Ogbeta and striker David McGoldrick.
No further signings are thought to be likely before the opening game.
The Reds are keen on signing a right-back, to compete with Mael de Gevigney who Hourihane has converted from centre-back. The head coach has also said they ‘need a winger’ but were not thought to be close to one this week, having had a bid rejected last week for Cheltenham’s Jordan Thomas.
Despite conceding 90 goals in all competitions last season, and keeping only six league clean sheets, Hourihane says they are not looking for a new centre-back. Jack Shepherd has returned from an impressive loan at Bradford City to join Marc Roberts, Josh Earl and Connor Barratt.
Hourihane told the Chronicle: “I want to improve defensively but it’s case of doing a lot of work on the training ground throughout pre-season.
“We’re quite blessed with the centre halves we have – Shep, Josh Earl, Marc Roberts, Connor Barratt, and Mael can play there if we bring in a right-back.
“For the time being, we’re quite fortunate with the centre halves we have.”
Frenchman de Gevigney has played mainly on the right of a back three in his first two seasons at Oakwell but has been a right-back in a back four throughout the summer.
Hourihane said: “I definitely think he’s got the capabilities of playing right-back. He fits in nicely and gives us extra physicality. He’s robust and athletic enough to get up and down the wing as well, at the right time.
“He’s not the most ‘final third’ full-back in terms of goals and assists, like modern full-backs, but Mael will give you something completely different – winning duels, aerial ability, defensive and attacking set plays and he adds more height to the team.
“He gives us a good foundation compared to a flying full-back.
“We want two different options. You always have to have different attributes in different areas. I am hoping for an attacking right-back at some stage.
“Certain games will suit certain players. I am hoping we will get a right-back who will have different attributes to Mael in the coming weeks.”
It is thought to be highly unlikely that the Reds will sign a player in time to make his debut in Devon.
Hourihane said: “This will probably be the squad for Plymouth. We have a good squad to pick from. If one or two (who have minor injuries) come through training, we’ll be in a decent place.
“The plan is to add more in the last month of the window but I am happy with where we are right now. We have a real good core of 17, 18 or 19 players who have been brilliant in pre-season. I love working with them every day.
“We have added quality, we have added players in positions we needed to.
“For a squad for the first game of the season, I am relatively happy.”
Barnsley have so far not sold any of their first team regulars, despite chairman Neerav Parekh saying earlier in the year that they would have to.
As of earlier this week, no bids were thought to have met the Reds’ valuation for the likes of Davis Keillor-Dunn, captain Luca Connell – for whom Wycombe have had several offers rejected – Adam Phillips or Jon Russell.
Hourihane said those players’ attitudes had been ‘first class’ and told the Chronicle: “Every player in every squad has a pricetag. Whether they are main players, squad players or academy players. If I go to another club and ask ‘how much for him?’ they will give me a price and whether we can afford it is a different matter.
“Unless anyone tries to buy our players, and I am told differently, I am very very happy with the players we have.”
On the summer business in general, Hourihane told the Chronicle: “I am very very happy with the ones I’ve done.
“I think Murphy Cooper will be a big big player for the club over the course of the season. He’s been really impressive.
“It was a big void I wanted to fill.
“There was too much messing around with the goalkeepers last year.
“We needed a clean number one.
“I have loved seeing him every day
“We needed a left-back with Georgie (Gent) being injured longer-term.
“Nate has come in and been brilliant. He’s a very good signing.
“Reyes is one for development.
“He’s shown glimpses.
“It will take time but he has huge potential.
“Didzy (McGoldrick) obviously brings that quality. And we needed experience in the dressing room.
“Caylan has just come in and looked sharp. We’re playing with wingers and he’s exciting.
“We’ve signed positive players who will make a difference.”
Kyran Lofthouse was sold late last week to Barnsley’s League One rivals Burton Albion who visit Oakwell on August 9.
He played 25 times for the Reds after joining in 2023, but only three were league starts, and – after loans to Gateshead, MK Dons and Burton – follows fellow right wing-backs Corey O’Keeffe and Barry Cotter in leaving as Barnsley are changing to a back four.
