Daniel Stendel: home form crucial for Barnsley

Posted Sunday, November 04, 2018 by PA

Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel emphasised the importance of his side’s home form after they beat Southend 1-0 to extend their unbeaten home run to 12 games.

Kieffer Moore’s late header ensured Barnsley snatched all three points late on.

Southend started the better of the two teams, and they could have taken the lead in the opening 15 minutes. After good build-up play, Taylor Moore crossed to Harry Bunn who headed straight at goalkeeper Adam Davies from six yards out.

In a tight first half, the home side’s best chances to take the lead came on the stroke of half-time.

First, Alex Mowatt chipped a through ball to Moore but his volley was well saved by Mark Oxley. Then, a deep Daniel Pinillos cross found Brad Potts whose powerful strike whistled just past the post.

The visitors thought they might have got the winning goal 10 minutes before the end, but Simon Cox’s effort was ruled out for offside.

However, it was Barnsley who grabbed all three points in the 87th minute as Moore headed home Mowatt’s corner from close range.

Stendel said: “I think it is important for us to take points in home games and for our fans who give us great support at away games.

“I’m happy that we won the game and it’s a nice feeling when you score two minutes before the end.

“I thought in the second half that we were the only team trying to win the game, Southend played very well but I think that we showed that we wanted to win the game.

“I said to the players that we weren’t at 100 per cent today, but we will be able to try new players and formations in the upcoming cup matches.

“Throughout the season, it’s important to take points from as many games as we can. Sometimes we have played well and won, but it’s also important to win ugly games.

Southend manager Chris Powell said: “It’s the story of our season. We’ve had two away games and we’ve come here and we were in the game until the end.

“I thought we managed everything that Barnsley threw at us, we put in a dogged, proper away performance and to concede a goal like that from a set-piece is a dagger to the heart.

“I sound like a broken record, some of our approach play is top League One standard but you have got to take your chances. I can’t keep saying it but it’s the truth.

“I’m hurting for the players and our supporters because I felt we earned the right to maybe take something from the game.

“I can’t ask any more from them in terms of work ethic and character.

“They’ve got a lot of resilience as well, we’ve had a few knock-backs already this year, we’ve bounced back and we’re going to have to do it again.”