Soccer
Daniel Stendel hails Barnsley’s mentality after win over Blackpool
Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel felt it was his side’s mentality that won the game as the Reds ended Blackpool’s unbeaten start to the season in dramatic style.
Cameron McGeehan’s opener was cancelled out by Josh Bowler before Amani Richards won it late on for the Reds.
Stendel said: “Today was maybe not the style but the mentality and belief until the end that we could win this game.
“Our young players defended well and believed until the end and this was the game-changer.
“We want to show everybody, not only in the stadium, but in the league, the ambition.”
Blackpool started well but the hosts grew into the game and would have been in front had it not been for a great save by Bailey Peacock-Farrell to deny Reyes Cleary – who is still at the Reds after much speculation deadline day – from a free-kick.
Dion Charles then saw his fine curling effort crash off the post after a quick counter-attack.
Makenzie Kirk should have scored on the stroke of half-time after some great work by Patrick Kelly but the Scot scuffed his shot from three-yards out and Josh Earl – who joined Blackpool from Barnsley just a week ago – cleared off the line.
Barnsley then blocked three Blackpool efforts off the line in quick succession at the start of the second half to keep the scores level.
The hosts took the lead after 61 minutes after McGeehan tapped home a Kelly shot from inside the area but Bowler levelled just four minutes later after some fine work by Charles.
Richards then rattled the woodwork but would not be denied in the 87th minute as his header looped over Peacock-Farrell to give the hosts the three points.
Stendel added: “I’m really happy for him (Richards).
“He scored the goal to win the game and it’s good for him and his confidence for the next matches.
“It was good to see that we can bring a player in that can change the game and bring new energy.
“I am really proud.”
Blackpool manager Ian Evatt thought the winner should have been disallowed for a handball in the build-up.
He said: “I can’t quite understand how that’s not a handball.
“I saw it live, clear as day; his hand was clearly above his head.
“I’ve watched it back since, and it gets worse every time I see it.
“It’s incredibly disappointing to be on the wrong end of that decision.
“But we’re in the hands of officials to make the right calls at the right times.
“Tonight, it’s hugely gone against us.”
Despite the defeat he was pleased with what he saw from his time and added: “I’m proud of them.
“We can feel frustrated, we can feel a sense of, you know, unjust, but we have to make sure that we regroup and get ready for Saturday now.”
