LUCA Connell was ‘always happy’ during a summer of some speculation and is enjoying working under ‘refreshing’ head coach Conor Hourihane.

The Reds captain was the subject of a series of failed bids by League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers throughout the window but, since the new season has started, he has drawn praise for his performances in midfield.

Connell told the Chronicle: “I was obviously just training hard every day.

“My agent was saying whatever he was saying and stuff got into the press.

“But I was always happy and just ready for this season with Barnsley.

“I am loving it under Conor.

“Since the first day of pre-season, it’s been clear what we’re going to do and how we’re going to play. It’s been nice and refreshing to get some new ideas.”

Connell has been playing in a midfield two this season with teenager Jono Bland, after years of Barnsley mainly playing with one holding midfielder – often Connell – and two more attacking players.

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“It’s been good. We complement each other when we’re both playing well.

“It’s good to have him in there.

“He’s been very good this season and it’s credit to him because he’s a young lad.

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“He has plenty of learning to do but hopefully I can help him with that.

“The way the gaffer wants to play, you need two in there to balance it.

“We are the anchor of the team and we try to keep things ticking.

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“It’s good to be in there and have a two and a one instead of one then a two that there has been for a few years.”

Barnsley played good football in the first half at Blackpool on Saturday but badly struggled to get any momentum after the break then conceded a 98th-minute winner.

“We lost a bit of composure and control in the game. When you do that you are at a massive risk that that can happen at the end. Ideally we would have sorted it out in the first half, taken one of the chances.

“We went there to win and, in the first half, you could see that.

“But the way the second half went, if you end up with a 0-0 you can look at what you’ve done in the final third and move on. We just have to react and bounce back.”