TYKES CAN FIGHT WITH BIG DOGS
BARNSLEY boss Paul Heckingbottom believes his side’s South Yorkshire derby demolition of Rotherham is further evidence they can cut it in the Championship.
The Reds have hit the ground running this term following a lateseason surge to promotion from League One and a third home win from three has left them in third position going into the international break.
Their first two victories came via impressive scalps in Derby and QPR, but the third was a walk in the park as they scored four second-half goals to blow the flaky Millers away.
Marc Roberts, Adam Hammill, Tom Bradshaw and Ryan Kent all scored to give the Reds bragging rights and leave Heckingbottom feeling optimistic.
“I am delighted, the win is the most important, we have turned a good start into a very good one,” he said.
“Nine points from three games we would have definitely been delighted with at the start.
“We have shown we can win games in this league and if you want to achieve anything that’s what you have got to do.
“The style of the win and the scoreline puts the icing on the cake. It has been a really positive start for us and we are delighted.”
The first half was an even contest but the second was a different story.
Roberts got the ball rolling when he poked home from a set-piece, with Hammill sending in a deflected effort against his former club three minutes later.
Tom Bradshaw, who was close to joining the Millers before Barnsley came in, got his inevitable goal in the 86th minute and then Ryan Kent made it an afternoon to remember when he fired into the top corner from the edge of the box.
“There was nothing much in the first half, we started bright and it was even,” Heckingbottom added.
“At half-time we didn’t change anything but just asked for more quality and tempo and we were adamant we get the win.
“To get two goals in quick succession really killed the game and we looked a good side then.”
Rotherham boss Alan Stubbs is enduring a much harsher introduction to life in the Championship following his summer move from Hibernian as the Millers have taken four points from their two games at home, but have been destroyed on the road, conceding ten goals in three games, without scoring.
Another season of struggle looks on the cards for the Millers and Stubbs is already threatening to wield the axe.
“We have to look at ourselves, it has to mean more than it is showing at the moment,” he said.
“When you go 1-0 down the most important thing is to make sure you don’t concede a second.
“We have had a chat about it at the end, it’s not about ranting and raving. It’s about all of us taking collective responsibility.
“Today is obviously very disappointing. If the players aren’t prepared to work hard then we will have players out and bring players in.
“We could have done better than what we did, it’s as simple as that. There’s no substitute for hard work.
“Up until the first goal I thought we were the better team and we looked like we were causing them problems.
“That’s not the first time we have conceded in quick succession and we can’t allow it to happen.”