Hourihane reflects on Barnsley draw after red card

Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane gives his view on the 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers after Vimal Yoganathan’s red card

Hourihane reflects on Barnsley draw after red card

David McGoldrick opened the scoring for Bolton, with Barnsley then forced to play almost an hour with ten men after Vimal Yoganathan received a second yellow. John McAtee equalised late, scoring at his old stomping ground to seal a 1-1 draw for Barnsley. Hourihane said the flow of the game completely changed once the red card happened and noted the first half was cagey as both sides searched for control. "The flow of the game completely changed after we went down to 10 men." He added that the team needed more quality on the ball in the opening period, and improved when the game opened up.

Hourihane also reflected on the two yellow moments for Yoganathan. "There was no need to get involved in something silly. As a midfielder, you are threading a tight rope in terms of a tactical foul, bad touch in the middle or being late to a challenge, you are going to get your second yellow." He stressed that the first yellow should have been avoided and that the squad could have won the match if they had kept 11 players. "I do believe if we have 11 men we go on to win the game."

The match underscores how a single discipline lapse can tilt a game. Hourihane’s comments imply Barnsley’s plan hinged on balance and ball control, something that was disrupted when they were reduced to ten men. His insistence that the first yellow was avoidable signals a teaching moment for a squad that mixes youth and experience. The late goal by McAtee against Bolton adds a personal story to the fixture, offering a reminder that momentum in football often flips on motivation and the timing of a breakthrough.

Looking ahead, Hourihane’s emphasis on staying compact and composed could shape Barnsley’s approach in tight fixtures. The challenge will be translating the second-half control into full-game consistency, especially when discipline again tests the side under pressure. The dynamic also reflects broader tensions in the league: teams must balance aggressive pressing with restraint to maximize chances and minimize costly errors.

Highlights

Discipline and momentum decide many matches in this compact season