Head Coach Paul Heckingbottom met with the media this morning ahead of tomorrow night's trip to Wolves.
The Reds Gaffer gave us a brief update on the health of Ryan Kent who had to be withdrawn at Deepdale on Saturday, but the outlook is positive.
“No, no new injuries, same things really. Ryan did well with his ankle but it’s not 100% so we’ve to be wary with him, he’s not our player so we’ve to be careful with it. But no, apart from that everyone’s ok. He could feature tomorrow, we’re going in with the same squad.”
‘Hecky’ felt the result at Preston was deserved. The Reds had to show different facets of their game but that’s just another positive as far as he’s concerned.
“First-half I thought we were the better team. Preston threw everything at us for the first 20, 25 minutes of the second-half and we really had to stand firm. There was a doggedness to us. They got the goal just before we could make a change which was frustrating, but we responded well and after we got the second goal I think we saw the game out pretty well if I’m honest.”
It was a stunning debut goal from Adam Armstrong that settled the result. The Reds Head Coach emphasised just how important it was to have a game-changing bench to call upon.
“Yes, it was a fantastic goal it really was. We’re lucky that we’ve got players like that in our group now. When you can bring on the type of quality off our bench now, the attacking players, hopefully we’ll be carrying that kind of threat in each and every game. That’s all of our centre forwards off the mark now so let’s hope that continues.
“Goals change games. We saw that on Saturday. The momentum shifts. You have to have goals and goal-scorers in your team, but you’ve to run, work hard and then you’ll get chances. You’ve got to go for three points at this level. If you keep being brave you’ll get your rewards.”
Tomorrow’s opponents have their own wealth of talent to choose from but Hecky and the players aren’t phased.
“Wolves will expect to be right in the mix again this season, they’ve a big strong squad and they can freshen it up whenever now. They’ve probably got two, three players in each position, but we’re looking forward to it. It’s relentless, these blocks of games will be relentless and we’ll be putting lots of hard work into it, not just on the pitch but on the training ground too. The ground-work’s all there, there’s nothing to fear. We’re prepared for it and we’re ready.”
The Reds boss thinks the belief among his players is shared by the supporters and that the feel-good factor plays its part in helping create a positive atmosphere.
“The players have got character in abundance. Winning helps. It breeds that confidence. All the little messages we give them as staff, they’re listening all the time and then when they’re getting the results it’s giving them more belief. But they can’t stop doing the little things, they’ve set the standard now and we won’t let them off the hook.
“There’s the feel-good factor, it has an effect on the town, the fans. It’s definitely there around the place and has been since last season. I can definitely feel that, the players feel it too, and of course the fans feel it. But it’s all about tomorrow night now.”
You can watch the full interview exclusively on Barnsley Player HD!
