Mark wants to see same application at Oakwell
Mark Robins has been encouraged by his players’ application during the open few weeks of the season and expects their performances to improve.
Town are unbeaten in five matches and go into Saturday’s game following successive home victories. The game is the final one before the first international break of the season and is Town's first Yorkshire derby of the league season.
“The match has huge importance; it is a local derby and we want to try and maintain our excellent start to the season,” said Mark.
“We will go to Oakwell with a lot of optimism and a real conviction to try and secure three points.”
The last meeting between the teams ended in joy for both as a 2-2 draw secured both teams’ survival, but Mark doesn’t believe that it will have any significance on Saturday’s match.
“That match isn’t relevant; that was then and this is now,” he told htafc.com. “We are looking forward to it, as we do every game. The derby significance of the game won’t be lost on the players and we will give a good account of ourselves. On the back of our recent performances we have to go there with a lot of confidence.”
“I am reasonably satisfied with the way things have started on the pitch, but I am very satisfied with the application of the players and that is the key thing. We need to maintain that application and try and get better. Saturday’s game is a different challenge and we will do some more work today on the training pitch; the players can’t wait for games to come around at the minute.”
Robins spent two years at Oakwell between 2009 and 2011 and helped rescue Barnsley when they were at the foot of the Championship table.
“It was a very significant time during my career and one that I enjoyed; Barnsley is a very good club,” he said. “Going back to Oakwell is something that I am looking forward to. We have a massive opportunity to go into the international break having giving our best to try and earn three points.
“Barnsley will work very hard and are a good group of players; their work ethic was one of the main reasons to their success at the end of the last season. They work hard for each other.”
On the transfer front, Mark remained tight lipped.
“There is nothing on the horizon, but it is a fluid situation. Unless someone moves out there won’t be any movement in.”
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