Stendel’s salute for his 10-man battlers
DANIEL Stendel felt his Barnsley side produced one of their best performances of the season to win at Southend United.
The Tykes were reduced to 10 men when Jacob Brown was sent off 10 minutes before the break, but rallied and goals from Cameron McGeehan, Cauley Woodrow an Jordan Green sealed the win.
Victory extended the Tykes’ unbeaten run to 15 games, much to the delight of boss Stendel.
“It was one of the best performances of the season, but we’ve played well in a lot of games,” said Stendel.
“At halftime I said we could win the game but, in the second half, it was more important to play with heart.
“I’m so proud of the performance and in the end it was a deserved win.
“There’s 11 games to go but we’ll only look at the next one.”
The Tykes looked the more dangerous of the teams in the first half with Woodrow forcing Southend goalkeeper Nathan Bishop into a good save and Mamadou Thiam twice going close.
However, 10 minutes from the break Brown was dismissed for a poor challenge on Shrimpers skipper Sam Mantom.
But, despite their numerical disadvantage, Barnsley stayed on top after the break and opened the scoring in the 50th minute with McGeehan firing home a well-taken low shot.
The Tykes remained on top and doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when ex Southend loanee Woodrow fired home Mike Bahre’s through ball with a smart, first time finish for his 14th goal of the season.
And the visitors then sealed their win in stoppage time when Green volleyed home after McGeehan had been denied by Bishop.
The defeat extended the Shrimpers’ winless streak to seven games and left manager Chris Powell frustrated. “We played against a very, very good side and we showed our inexperience and naivety,” said Powell.
“We didn’t make the extra man count.
“We spoke about what to do and went through it as well, but we left ourselves too open and Barnsley took advantage.
“I don’t want to be derogatory to anyone but we are where we are with the injuries we have. We need a reaction now and we’re in a real dogfight. We have to take care of ourselves.”