Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LITTLE ACORNS... MIGHTY OAKWELL
Tykes boss Ismael: Now let’s shock Swansea in play-offs
BARNSLEY have been turned over twice by play-off rivals Swansea this season – but that was then, and this is now.
As Tykes gaffer Valerien Ismael said: “We lost both league games against them, but that doesn’t matter.
“We were both different teams back then – we were down, and they were up. Now it is different. It will be a fight, but we have enough time to consider Swansea and their approach.”
Barnsley face the Swans in a firstleg showdown at Oakwell a week today (Monday, May 17th) after taking a well-deserved point against champions Norwich to finish fifth in the Championship.
It’s all a far cry from the depths they plunged to at the beginning of the season, and Ismael said: “It’s a great achievement to end up fifth and in the play-offs. It shows the mentality of my team, and proves that belief is everything. Now we aim for our big reward – promotion is my big hope.
“When I first came here, I never believed Barnsley might be a possible Premier League club. But the additions of Carlton Morris and Daryl Dike raised my hopes, and now the players are ready to have a go.
“We have time to recover and a clear picture now that we face Swansea.”
Canaries boss Daniel Farke, a pal of Ismael’s since they did their pro-licence together in Germany, said: “Valerien is very competitive and intense. He makes his side difficult to play against, but I’m full of respect for him.
“It’s difficult to predict the play-offs. There are bigger clubs in there but
Barnsley have unbelievable momentum and spirit. They have a chance to be successful.”
In an entertaining game, a point apiece was a fair result, though the Canaries took the post-match honours as each member of the squad received their champions’ medal, with Farke taking the coveted Championship manager of the season award.
Ismael said: “Daniel will be better in the Premier League next season. It was painful for him last time, but now he knows a lot more. That’s why I believe Norwich will stay up.”
It was an emotional farewell for long-serving Alex Tettey, who was given the captain’s armband. Tettey, 35, said: “To be here for nine seasons, to finish as a champion and the team going to the Premier League, could not be better.”
Leading-scorer Cauley Woodrow put Barnsley in front, with Emiliano Buendia heading Norwich level minutes later. Connor Chaplin restored the Tykes’ lead, only for Canaries’ sub Adam Idah to score with his very first touch.
BARNSLEY: Collins 6, Sibbick 6 (Kitching 84), Helik 6, Andersen 6, Brittain 6, Moon 7 (Williams 66, 6), Palmer 6, Styles 7, Chaplin 7 (Frieser
55, 6), Woodrow 7 (Dike 55, 6), Morris 7 (Adeboyejo 55, 6)
NORWICH: Krul 6, Aarons 7, Hanley 6, Omobamidele 6, Giannoulis 6, Tetley 7 (Sorensen 87), Mclean 6 (Idah 52, 7), Buendia 8, Vrancic 6, Cantwell 6 (Hernandez 87), Hugill 6 (Dowell 72)
MOTM EMILIANO BUENDIA (NORWICH)