Martin Devaney spoke to the local press ahead of the visit of Preston North End this weekend.
ON INJURIES
“At the minute, it’s the same as it was the other night.”
ON BLACKPOOL DEFEAT
“The boys were relegated on Friday, and I think in my previous press conference I spoke about desire, work rate, commitment and mentality, and it wasn’t there in terms of what I want and how I see a Barnsley team playing.
“It was very disappointing, so there were a few home truths today.”
ON ISAAC CHRISTIE-DAVIES
“I think it’s been a difficult challenge for Isaac. He had the opportunity the other night and the sort of tempo and pressing game that Blackpool have, he found it difficult. But when an individual comes in, he needs people around him to help him out when he’s making his debut.
“We looked at it this morning in terms of his performance, and there’s little things he needs to get better in the press, be more proactive in terms of when to press and where to press, and that’s little things that we’ll keep working on with him because he’s a great kid and wants to learn and wants to improve.
“Those are the type of players you want to work with.”
ON JASPER MOON
“He’s certainly got the right characteristics, the right physicality. Dropping down to League One might help him, but he’s definitely had a good schooling because he’s probably played a lot more games than he would have imagined for this year and been under real pressure.
“He probably could have dealt with certain situations better and maybe could have been pulled out of the team, but because of injuries and bodies, he’s had to play more than he probably expected.”
ON YOUTH INVOLVEMENT NEXT SEASON
“They’re going to have to be, and that’s what I’m going to use the next game and potentially the last game to see them perform at that level.
“Next year, they’ll be a big part of the team, I’m sure, and squad to get us back up to the Championship.
“It’s football, you never know until they cross that white line. In terms of their development, they’re at a level now where if you cross that white line, you have to go and perform.
“So, it’s a tough question to ask and say: ‘I guarantee you they will’, but I believe they can, and they’ve got to grab that opportunity with both hands. With that, they need to deliver and perform at this level.”
ON PRESTON NORTH END
“Every game in the Championship is difficult. We know what it’s going to be like, so we’ve got to make sure that we’re ready and organised, and just play to the best of our ability.
“I know Ryan; he’s done really well. I’ve obviously played against him over the years, so it’ll be interesting. I know what he was about as a player and his teams sort of mirror how he conducts himself, so I’m looking forward to seeing him and competing against him to see how we do.”
