CONOR Hourihane believes Barnsley have ‘found a formula’ with the change to a back five that will help them defensively during a gruelling second half of the season.
The head coach changed from the Reds’ long-term back three system to a 4-2-3-1 for this season.
But, after some poor results and continued defensive issues, he has used a back five out of possession in the FA Cup at Liverpool then the league win over Blackpool.
He told the Chronicle: “We’re defending in a five currently.
“We have looked more solid which is important. But in possession we’re exactly the same.
“We are not playing with two strikers, we’re still having Reyes (Cleary) high and wide on the left, still two sixes in midfield. The players have carried that through really well in the last couple of games.
“It’s constantly evolving, trying to improve and get better. But it’s really important you have a similar look.
“I don’t think throwing everything out of the window was necessary at all.
“With the ball, we’ve played really good stuff. It was just: how do we look a little bit more assured and solid?
“We have found a formula now which hopefully we can continue.”
Barnsley are about to start a very busy spell of games which will see them play their remaining 24 league matches in 98 days from Saturday’s trip to Reading.
They only have one free midweek in the next eight weeks in which they play 16 times in 56 days.
“We just have to keep pushing and working and improving.
“It is really important things stay positive on the injury front.
“We have so many games from Reading onwards as everyone knows.
“We will try to win every single one but it’s: how quickly we can bounce from maybe a loss along the way? If anything goes wrong in terms of a result, we have a game three days later so we have to put it behind us pretty quickly and move on to the next one.
“It will be a relentless time for the next six weeks and can we build momentum and pick up as many points as possible to get us in a good place come March?”
The gruelling sequence begins with long trips to Reading on Saturday then Cardiff on Tuesday.
Hourihane said: “There will be clear planning and clear preparation as always.
“There won’t be too many days off over this period. We’re Saturday, Tuesday for a while.
“We will be in Sunday getting ready for Tuesday but first and foremost the only focus is on Reading.”
Barnsley’s game at Port Vale has been rearranged for April 14.
