Barnsley had a, hopefully metaphorical, “quick whip from the belt” at the weekend according to Carlton Morris and now he’s “back to the job.” An injury-ridden Huddersfield Town team should prepare for a busy night.
Having worked with Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United, Carlos Corberan has Huddersfield playing “killer ball” in practice, with the coaches filling the field yelling instructions and the ball only allowed out for nanoseconds. It should be a good preparation to face Barnsley in the Championship.
The direct intensity of the Reds has led them to the play-off positions, while Corberan’s more cultured approach has fought a fourth straight relegation battle for the Terriers. At least their 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest points to a happy ending.
Barnsley, by contrast, lost 2-0 at Coventry City on Sunday. It was the second running game that coach Valerien Ismael felt they were sloppy in the first half, and this time they didn’t get away with it.
It’s not damaging enough to get them out of the top six, not late enough that it can’t be rectified, it might actually help, sharpening minds and the intensity that Morris is pivotal to.
“Against Middlesbrough we won the game in the second half, but Coventry for sure, if you stay like this, you will regret it,” says Ismael. “If you choose the other side, as we have played so far, we will be very happy.
“We have four games to go and it’s about improving performance and finding focus from the first minute. Eighty percent is not enough, but if we give it our all, we will be rewarded.
“I have to show understanding of a young team but push them harder, to force the message that we are close (to the goal of the play-offs), we have done some incredible performances and we don’t want to destroy anything without a fight.
“The guys will learn from the Coventry game and I’m sure they’ll produce another (good) performance against Huddersfield.”
Eight-goal Daryl Dike has made headlines since joining mid-season, but signing Morris was also important in keeping his foot on the ground. Even while managing a groin injury that has limited him to three starts, he has scored six goals, all but the first as a substitute.
If Ismael is not happy with the selfishness of those who seek to form a separatist European league – against the essence of football, he believes – Morris is much more in tune with his thought “It has done quite well coming off the bank”, He says. “(Ismael) and I put the team first and if that is working, that is what we are going to do.
“It’s something you can accept or be a bit childish, moan and raise your arms in the air. That is not my character. Sometimes there will be some leggy guys so we need that impact from the bench. If you leave it all out there, there is only one limit you can give, so you need people who can take over.
“It is physically demanding, but anything worthwhile in life is often difficult.”
They will make it difficult for a Huddersfield team that will miss Alex Vallejo and Fraizer Campbell for the next fortnight and Pipa tonight. Yaya Sanogo is a doubt and Harry Toffolo and Isaac Mbenza must be handled with care, as does Josh Koroma’s return from a hamstring injury.
Corberan may try to play very differently from Ismael, but as he’s shown by being more pragmatic lately, he’s not a football snob. The idea that only talent and effort should matter in life, not background and wealth, is why he opposes a bounded rebel league and admires Barnsley.
“The key for any team is to find a way to compete,” he argues. “Barnsley has been very competitive this season. They are not a great name in this competition but they have many qualities ”.
Ismael has taken great credit for the work he has done at Oakwell, but Corberan’s admiration predates him.
“When Leeds faced Barnsley in one of the last games of last season, it was one of the most demanding games we faced because they tried to play from behind and be very aggressive in the press,” he recalls.
“Before they played a 3-4-1-2 more, now it’s more of a 3-4-3 without wingers, with three forwards in the middle of the field. They are more direct and use more set pieces. The manager has done a fantastic job. “
If Huddersfield, three-time champion of England in the 1920s, is a reminder that no team earns special status through its history, this season’s Barnsley shows why unknown clubs should always have the right to dream.
“Our fans can dream, but my guys have to keep both feet on the ground,” says Ismael. “We’ve put ourselves in a brilliant position, it’s just about getting the job done.”
Last six games: Huddersfield Town WLDLDD; Barnsley LWWDLW
Referee: D Webb (County Durham)
Last time: Huddersfield Town 2 Barnsley 1, October …
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Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-20 22:11:53
