Speaking after our 2-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, Valérien Ismaël insists that his side need to be more clinical in the final third.
The Reds had by far the superior chances at Ewood Park, particularly from set-pieces, but it took until the 90th minute for the goal to come on a frustrating afternoon in Lancashire.
“This is football; all the time the same story if you don’t score the goal,” began our Head Coach. “You have to be clinical in behind and not make mistakes because the opponent only has one chance in the first half and scores the goal.
“I think the performance was very good but, when you have 23 attempts and 11 corners, you have to score a goal. It was unbelievable.
“We had a lot of patience and pressed very well, we were very unpleasant for Blackburn and they didn’t find a solution against us, that’s why I told the guys we have to learn this killer mentality now. Some situations, we are too nice in the box, we have to score the goals – like the goal from Romal.”
It was a lovely finish from Romal Palmer, who swept the ball home with a sweet left-footed volley after fellow substitute, Victor Adeboyejo, had seen his initial effort blocked by a defender.
That was his first goal in senior football, something he had threatened to do after bursting onto the scene since lockdown, and Ismaël was again keen to emphasise the importance of utilising his entire squad this season.
“I’m happy for him and spoke to him this week,” continued the Frenchman. “I told him to be patient and his time will come because he’s training well and that’s why, now, he took his chance – he played well, came inside with a good attitude, positive.
“This is what we need; we need all the players and it was a very good response.”
You can watch Valérien’s post-match interview on iFollow Barnsley.