Barnsley FC’s Interim Head Coach, Conor Hourihane, has embraced the challenge of leading the team in recent weeks and is relishing the opportunity. As the Reds prepare to face Exeter City at Oakwell, he reflects on his time in charge so far and looks ahead to the upcoming fixture. "I’ve loved it. I’ve really, really loved it," Hourihane admitted. "The first couple of days were chaotic, but I tried to be as organised as possible. The Mansfield game came quickly, and while I had high hopes, it was a reminder that implementing my vision takes time. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve put in a lot of hard work on the training pitch, and you can start to see signs of what we’re trying to do." Hourihane is clear about the identity he wants to instill in his Barnsley side, focusing on discipline, high standards, and an aggressive playing style. "First and foremost, it’s about the basics - turning up on time, training well, and applying yourself in everything you do. That creates the foundation for performing well on a Saturday. "Tactically, I want my team to be relentless in our pressing and counter-pressing, keeping the opposition pinned back in their own third. We have some really good footballers who can handle the ball, and I want them to express themselves in the right areas while respecting the game plan and the team structure. It’s about exciting football, being brave in possession, and making Oakwell a difficult place for teams to come." The squad has responded well to Hourihane’s demands, and he is pleased with their commitment. "They’ve been brilliant. They’ve bought into everything I’ve asked of them, and the feedback has been positive. I’ve been consistent in my messaging, and the lads are responding. Of course, I would have loved to have picked up a win or two recently, but you can see the improvements, and that’s what matters - constant progression every day." A key feature of his tenure so far has been giving opportunities to young players, something that aligns with the club’s proud history of developing talent. "The academy lads have been excellent. They’ve brought energy and deserved their chance. I’ve always said that when opportunities come, you have to be ready, and they’ve shown they are. The club has a tradition of bringing through young talent, and when they train with us, I tell them it’s not just about making up numbers - it’s a chance to prove themselves. Some of them are really pushing the senior lads. "The fans will always back one of their own, but more importantly, they’ll get behind players who give everything for the badge. They want to see hard work and passion, whether at Oakwell or on the road. That’s what I’m instilling in the team - demanding more from them every day. The response from the players and staff has been fantastic, and now it’s about turning that into performances and results." Several young Reds have recently received international call-ups, something Hourihane believes is testament to the club’s quality. Dexter Lembikisa, Connor Barratt, Bayley McCann and Vimal Yoganathan all spent time with their respective nations over the last week. "It’s brilliant for them. To be recognised at international level means they’re doing something right. I was fortunate to represent my country at various levels, and it’s always a proud moment. "I've got to give credit to Jon Russell as well. There was talks of him getting called up for the Cambridge game, but he said to me, 'I want to stay around, I want to play'. That is brilliant and really refreshing. So full credit to Jon for that. He's had my thanks for that and he's put in some good performances to go along with that. I think highly of Jon." As for the squad’s fitness, Hourihane provided an update ahead of the Exeter clash. "Everyone is fine. Dexter (Lembikisa) will likely be involved again after missing the Wigan game. There may be one or two missing for other reasons, but overall, we’re in a good place. A few players are working hard behind the scenes and should be back soon." Marc Roberts’ return has been a big boost for the team, with Hourihane full of praise for the experienced defender. "You know, he's of a very similar age to me, and he turns up every single day with application and desire. He wants to be at the football club and loves playing for it. Those are the people you can fully trust and rely on. You know, he's a leader in the dressing room - one of the older players, as he well knows - but he leads by example, heading and kicking every ball. He wants to do well every single day. "He's one of the role models I point out to some of the younger lads, encouraging them to watch how he goes about his business and how he trains. In fact, I was just with him a moment ago - he's getting treatment on the bed, making sure his body is ready to go again tomorrow night. "Those are the kinds of sacrifices and levels of commitment you need to forge a career in the game. And yeah, he's invaluable to me - I lean on him a lot. It's always great to see him out there in that red shirt, wearing it with pride." Looking ahead to the challenge of facing Exeter City, Hourihane is expecting a tough test. "They’re a good footballing side and have been solid out of possession in recent away games. Their manager, Gary Caldwell, has spoken about that himself. They’ll cause us problems, but for us, it’s about building on what we’ve done in the last few matches. The messages remain the same—consistency, improvement, and making sure we’re ready to go." With Oakwell under the lights, the Reds will be looking to put in a strong performance and take another step forward under Hourihane’s leadership. Fixtures Barnsley Vs. 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