Paul Heckingbottom spoke to the media this morning ahead of the trip to face South-Coast side, Brighton & Hove Albion FC.
The Reds Head Coach started by giving team news for the upcoming match.
“Aidy has had a scan on his glute, there is a grade two tear there. It’s not a major muscle so it’s one of those, it sounds bad but once he’s comfortable playing and training he’ll be straight back in. He’s doubtful for the weekend, then we’ll assess it from there.
“James Bree trained on Tuesday so he is back. He’ll train again today, he’s on the road to recovery. Everyone else is fine and raring to go, so we’re looking forward to Brighton.”
The Reds are now hitting a very busy point of the season and will play three games in a week, against Brighton on Saturday, Aston Villa at Oakwell on Tuesday night then a big Yorkshire derby against Leeds United at Elland Road the following Saturday. The Reds Head Coach spoke about how he will need his entire squad to be ready.
Heckingbottom said, “We’ve got three big games now in seven days, and a long journey so there will be changes over those games definitely. It’s all tactical things, as a Coach you stand there on the side-line thinking how you can change things to win the game.
“Look at the Preston game, we brought some fresh legs on up-top and scored a great goal. Look at Wolves away, the starting 11 did fantastically well, we didn’t change anything tactically and we ended up scoring four goals when we brought on the subs.
“The message to the players is that it’s not always the 11 that start, it’s the 11 that finish are just as important because they are either seeing a game out or trying to get back into a game. Luckily at the minute we’ve got great options coming off the bench.”
The Reds have seen many players coming off the bench and making an impact on the game, whether that be scoring, assisting, or helping to defend.
“We have to make sure we’re keeping everyone fresh and hungry. You want them to play with fire in their belly as well, when you’ve been left out a game and then come back in, that’s the reason for it.”
Heckingbottom gave an insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes and explained that preparation has already began for the next week of fixtures, not just Brighton, adding that he was really looking forward to the upcoming matches.
"I think the fans have as well. Everyone is talking about this week so it should be a really good week. I am glad we've had this week to prepare for it. Not only the game on Saturday, but we've put a bit of ground-work in for next week as well because once you're playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, it's difficult to get a lot of work in on the grass. A lot of it we do on video or in classrooms with the tactical stuff because we can't keep the starters on the grass for too long."
View Paul Heckingbottom’s full press conference on www.player.barnsleyfc.co.uk
Tickets are still available for the trip to Brighton. Information can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Watch the Reds at Oakwell on matchdays that suit you best with the introduction of our new Flexi-Ticket! CLICK HERE for more information!
