Barnsley assistant manager’s pre-match talk

Barnsley assistant manager Ryan Kidd talks performances, injuries and transfer speculation as the Reds prepare for a tough trip to Bristol City this weekend.

Ryan told the club`s official website:

“We have no new injury concerns going into the game at Bristol. Diego Leon tweaked his hamstring on Tuesday and is almost certain to miss out. Hugo Colace hasn`t trained and is not expected to come in with us on Friday so he has to be 70 to 30 against but apart from that we are okay. Rob Kozluk is back from suspension.”

Speaking about new signing Daniel Bogdanovic, Kidd insisted the management team were impressed with the Maltese international during training:

“We were happy with the way Daniel Bogdanovic played. Daniel has been with us for four or five days last week and impressed. It seemed as though every chance he had ended up in the back of the net or with the ‘keeper making a save. He got his goal and almost had another. He has really got off on the right foot with a goal in his first game which was very, very pleasing.”

Speculation has been rife about the Reds attempting to lure Malta international Michael Mifsud to Oakwell, Ryan said:

“I have heard all the speculation surrounding Michael Mifsud but that is all it is. Michael is a very good footballer but we like to do our business quietly. We are looking to bring quality players to this football club and that is what we are working hard to do. There has been a lot of phone calls about players coming in and going out.”

As for shipping players away from the club, one player to have attracted attention recently is striker Kayode Odejayi, Kidd commented:

“Kayode Odejayi has attracted a lot of interest but there has not been anything concrete yet. He is still a Barnsley player and we are happy about that. We are doing everything in out power to bring quality players to this club. We cannot afford to take any gambles and bring in ones who, six months down the line, are the wrong ones. We have to get the right players who will be an investment for the club.”

Back to match action and the Tykes assistant boss says the Reds will be looking to build up some confidence in this weekend`s clash with Bristol City:

“We need to get three points this weekend but, more importantly, we need to end this run of losing matches. That is more important on the back of three defeats. We need to build some confidence and we need to put this run to bed. We have to be positive and we really need to push back up that table.”