Reds Head Coach Paul Heckingbottom spoke to the media after his side gained a valuable point away at EFL Sky Bet Championship high-flyers, Reading.
The Reds more than matched their opponents in an exciting match, despite the 0-0 scoreline. Hecky saw his side have 15 efforts at goal, with Marley Watkins striking the post in the second half to put Barnsley within inches of taking the lead.
Speaking after the game, Hecky said, “I am really pleased. Pleased with everything except the end product, really. We were very good without the ball and we knew we’d get opportunities, in spells we were very good with the ball as well, but it was the end product.
“We had some great opportunities but I think we only had one shot on target which is the tell-tale stat really because we had enough good opportunities to win the game.
“I think we had the clearer-cut changes and because of the way Reading play we knew we’d get chances by pinching the ball high up the pitch and counter attacks. Everything we had planned and worked on happened, so I have to be pleased with that but like I said, the end product is what matters to get goals.”
Back-to-back clean sheets for the Reds after another impressive display left Heckingbottom praising the entire team. Adam Davies, however, made a stunning save at the end of the match similar to what he did in last week’s 0-0 draw with Preston at Oakwell.
“He did, he did. Everyone has to play their part and you’ve used Davo (Adam Davies) as an example of that with his save. Every player on the pitch knew we would have to defend balls into the box so then it’s the positions of defenders in there. Robbo and Angus have won some great headers, the position of the midfielders was great so then they could drop on the loose ball, then there was the positioning of the wide men who did great to pinch the ball and set off counters.
“The pleasing thing is, and I’ve said this to the boys in there, that’s all the time we spend on the training ground and it has to become second nature because we’ve got no time to think out there you have to just automatically get back into your position where we knew we want them to be, and more often than not I believe we defend really well in those positions.”
The Head Coach was asked about the ‘tough’ run of fixtures then coming up for his side and whether this was a pleasing way to start that run with a solid away point.
“It was a good point but every game is tough. Whether we’re home or away, playing a team at the top or not, everyone is fighting for things now so it is important that we approach every game the same with a belief in what we do, a game-plan and the mentality to go and win the game. If we don’t win, we don’t win but we will always try to, we will keep working hard.”
Watch Paul Heckingbottom's full reaction on Barnsley Player HD!
