CONOR Hourihane admits Barnsley’s defensive record ‘obviously needs to improve’ but is hoping his side will build on their league win this week in a run of games against probable promotion-contenders.
The Reds are 11th in League One with 21 points from 13 games after they ended a five-game winless run in the league with a 2-1 win at South Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster Rovers on Saturday then lost 2-0 at home to Lincoln City in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
They are not due to play on Saturday because their match has been called off due to international call-ups.
Barnsley have conceded 35 goals in their 20 games in all competitions this season – 17 in cup games – and have kept just one clean sheet, at Peterborough United in August.
No club in the EFL have kept fewer clean sheets this season while they are the only side in League One not to have done so at home.
Their current run of 20 home games without a clean sheet, since a 0-0 draw with Burton under Darrell Clarke in February, is a club record as is Hourihane’s 17-game wait for a shut-out at Oakwell as Barnsley boss, surpassing Glyn Hodges’ previous record of 12.
Hourihane told the Chronicle: “It is something we need to cut out and we’re all aware of that.
“I’m hoping it will click soon.
“We’ve been relentless with it in terms of the work we do on it.
“We’ve got goals in us as well which helps. As much as we would like to keep clean sheets, we know we can score at the other end.
“We’re hoping we’ll start to keep clean sheets.
“The team deserve it because we put so much work into it. But obviously it needs to improve.”
After hosting Luton, who were one of the favourites for promotion this season and have picked up since appointing Jack Wilshere, on November 22, Barnsley visit top six sides Stockport on the 29th and, after two cup ties, Lincoln on December 9.
Hourihane said: “We’re looking forward to those games.
“They will be really exciting.
“What will be beneficial is the opponents won’t be sitting behind the ball and soaking up pressure, they will try to win which will open up spaces and make for some exciting games. Hopefully we put in good performances to come out on the right side of it.”
The League One table is currently very congested with Barnsley – who will have three games in hand on some teams after this weekend – four points off the top six and six clear of the bottom four.
Hourihane said: “It’s there for four or five teams to really grab it and push forward.
“It’s really tight from top to bottom and, I think, if you can put a run of three or four results together, you will firmly kick on in the league.
“There are a couple of games this weekend. We will be a little bit behind teams which is good in one way and, if we’re still in that pack with games in hand, it’s great, but it’s been a little bit of a struggle to keep momentum.”
