Struber is our ‘twelfth man’ at Barnsley, hails Styles

BARNSLEY midfielder Callum Styles has hailed the influence of head coach Gerhard Struber as the club’s ‘twelfth man’ in their increasingly compelling Championship survival fight.

The Reds players may not be afforded the backing of their own fans at Oakwell or elsewhere in their Great Escape quest between now and July 22, but the omnipresent image of Struber cajoling his charges incessantly from the touchline is still driving them on.

That was showcased in Tuesday’s win over Blackburn, which has maintained the Reds’ momentum at a critical juncture of 2019-20.

It was a night when the hosts held their nerve to secure their fifth win in eight league matches and displayed plenty of evidence to suggest they are collectively embracing their mission to stave off the drop.

Styles, who produced a very accomplished performance from the bench after replacing Romal Palmer in the first half, said: “He (Struber) keeps us going on the sidelines and switched on and he is basically the ‘twelfth man’ getting amongst it and keeping us alive and on our toes and on the front foot. It is good.

“We have come back from lockdown and got together and stayed as a group and said to each other we are all going to play to our limits and try our best to get ourselves out of this situation for ourselves, the club and our fans.

“You have to got to enjoy your football and if you don’t enjoy it, there’s no point. We will keep fighting until the very end.

“We are under pressure, but we have just got to relax, play our game and philosophy and hopefully good performances brings good results.”

Barnsley’s excellent run has coincided with their best defensive form of the season and they secured their third successive clean sheet and sixth in eight games against Rovers.

At the heart of all things good since the resumption has been rejuvenated defender Mads Andersen, with Styles quick to pay tribute to his key impact.

Styles, in prime contention for a start in Saturday’s sixpointer at Stoke City, added: “He (Andersen) has been so good and our rock at the back and that takes the pressure off us a bit.

“We have had three clean sheets in a row and that has given us confidence to go and express ourselves – to know we are solid at the back and are not letting goals in.

“It takes the pressure off and allows the forwards to express themselves. Hopefully Mads and the others can push on.”