CONOR Hourihane says Barnsley posting a similar total to last year’s 61 points ‘wouldn’t be a horrendous season’ and is looking forward to facing a series of promotion-chasers in the coming days.
The Reds are 12th in League One, eight points clear of the relegation zone and 12 off the top six, with five games to play in the final fortnight of the season.
This week they visited two sides in the bottom three, winning 3-1 at Rotherham United on Saturday then drawing 0-0 at Port Vale at Tuesday.
They are due to face two top six sides this week as they host Bradford City on Saturday lunchtime then visit Stevenage on Tuesday.
Hourihane, who took charge for the final ten games of last season, told the Chronicle: “We just want as many points as we can, whichever players play.
“We have 55 points, I would like to get to 60 – the next big number.
“We got 61 last season so if I got to 60 or 61, it wouldn’t be a horrendous season. We all know we have been inconsistent but we have five games to pick up as many points as we can.
“It’s a completely different season to last season for loads of reasons – squad-wise, two managers, financially how that looks from last year to this year.
“Because I finished last season on 61, even though there was a different manager in charge for three quarters of it, I have that as a little bit of a target for many reasons.”
After the Bradford and Stevenage games, the Reds visit Luton the following Saturday then Northampton in midweek before finishing at home to Stockport on May 2. While Northampton are relegated, the other four are placed from fourth to seventh.
Hourihane said: “I think it probably gives a really good platform for really good games because, Bradford, Stevenage, Luton, if you just look at the next three opponents for us, they’ll all probably have to win their games against us. That makes for a real open, exciting game. Stockport, at the end of the season, in my opinion they’ll probably be in the play-offs by then.
“So that’s probably going to be a little bit of a different scenario, potentially.
“Northampton, obviously, would be already down by then.”
When Barnsley last played Saturday’s visitors Bradford City, in West Yorkshire in October, Reyes Cleary scored from 70 yards with one of the most remarkable Reds goals in recent memory. That was near the start of a run of fine form for the winger who has six goals and 14 assists in all competitions this season. Cleary, who turned 22 on Monday, has only started three of the last eight games but came off the bench in midweek and created several chances.
“I think Reyes has had a lot to deal with since that Bradford game.
“He had an unbelievable couple of months where he kind of springboarded into everyone speaking about him so early in his career. He had a really challenging January window with the speculation side of things that he’s just not had before, which is really difficult for any young player. So there was a lot on his mind and a lot of talk around him.
“He’s just had a little bit of a dip since the January window closed. I’ve been really trying to manage him and help him and guide him along these last couple of months. But he’s definitely had positive impacts off the bench so we’re hoping now that can lead into having a real strong last five games.”
Defender Jack Shepherd, who spent last season at Bradford, dropped out of the team this week after some poor performances but still gave away a penalty at Rotherham as a substitute.
Hourihane said: “He’s just had a bit of a difficult few games. He gives absolutely everything, every single day, every single game. He wants to learn.
“From a manager’s point of view, that’s gold dust. If everyone could have a mentality like Jack Shepherd, then you take it every single day of the week.
“Has he had really good performances? Absolutely. Has he had moments where he’s maybe given a goal or two away? Absolutely. But who hasn’t?
“I’m one of his biggest fans. He’s just having a bit of a moment at the minute but he will come through it.
“People are quick to forget he’s come from non-league and he’s learning and developing.”
On Tuesday, Barnsley kept their first clean sheet for 26 games in all competitions – ending a club record for such a sequence within the same season.
Centre-back Marc Roberts – who Hourihane praised in midweek – replaced Mael de Gevigney who has been struggling with a head injury.
Hourihane said: “The lads have done great. Josh Earl has come back and been solid which is a big plus.
“Corey (O’Keeffe) gives us that attacking outlet and has done his defensive duties really well.
“Eoghan O’Connell has been really good in general since he’s come to the football club, never mind these two performances. And Mael was brilliant at the weekend and deserved a clean sheet.”
