Darrell Clarke hails Barnsley goalscorer Jon Russell after win over Rotherham

Posted Saturday, November 09, 2024 by PA

Head coach Darrell Clarke praised goalscorer Jon Russell as his Barnsley side earned a 2-0 home victory over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham.

Russell netted first for the hosts before Stephen Humphrys came off the bench to double the lead and send the Tykes up to fourth place in League One.

Clarke said: “I think we’ve had some good performances. I thought tonight was a good night, winning a derby at home.

“I think we played some really good stuff, especially in the first half. We created chances and were a little unlucky not to go in a couple ahead at the break.

“Davis Keillor-Dunn had a great header on the stroke of half time.

“We’ve had to defend well. Rotherham were always going to come at us a bit, but Ben Killip’s pulled off a great save (to keep us in front) and then we got that vital second.

On the performance of Russell, Clarke said: “Jon is doing tremendously, playing higher up the pitch as an eight. I think he’s a better eight that can drop into the six position at times and he’s getting his rewards.

“He’s getting chances in games, getting good control for us with the ball and deserves all the plaudits.”

Praising his coaching staff, Clarke said: “Conor (Hourihane), (Jon) Stead, Martin Devaney, we all have areas that we work on.

“I’ve got a good backroom team and we’re just chipping away, working away, set-pieces, defending set-pieces. We work well together as a team and we have to continue the good work.”

Rotherham manager Steve Evans reflected on a start that promised much.

He said: “We started the game really well. I think for the first 20 minutes we were the better side.

“We were pressing them, we were being creative, we were getting into the final third with ease. The Millers support were on their feet because they’re seeing a really good performance.

“For some reason it’s almost like a switch. We conceded a goal from a set play which we’ll look back at, but we’ve been outmuscled as we have a couple of times already this season.

“From that moment until half time I thought it was difficult for us – we worked hard, had the opportunity to go in at 1-0 and try and change it with a bit of width, pace and flare on the pitch.

“When Jack Holmes came on we had 15 minutes where we were really good. We missed a huge chance. Goals change games at every level of football and we miss a huge chance – I don’t think the goalkeeper knows anything about it.

“We should score and then we got into a bit of a groundhog situation trying to create something. It’s just a defensive mistake and a really good finish (for their second goal).”