MAEL de Gevigney says Barnsley need to ‘move on quickly’ from their midweek disappointment but he wants them to start keeping more clean sheets soon.
The Reds conceded deep in injury-time of Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at home to promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers, having led 2-0. The result left them three points off the top two with a game in hand and 11 to play. De Gevigney told the Chronicle: “We have to move on quickly. Just after the game, the gaffer said it wasn’t a bad point, it was good and we have our destiny in our hands. I think we’re going to do it.”
De Gevigney’s first professional club Versailles won promotion from the French fifth tier in 2020 and the fourth tier in 2022. He said: “Now is different because, when I was promoted in France, we were always at the top.
“Now we are hunting the first places. It is good because they are scared of us. We will play every game to win and get promoted.”
Barnsley have kept just one clean sheet in the last 18 games. Mael said: “I am a bit frustrated to concede goals. It has been since Oxford the last clean sheet. That was one of my best feelings after a game. I want to feel this again. We want to do it for Robbo (goalkeeper Liam Roberts) who is doing amazing.”
De Gevigney has recently moved from the middle of the back three to the right.
He said: “I am used to playing in this position. I have played there in the past. When I came here, I knew I could play in the centre or the right. The gaffer has explained to me what he wants from me in this position and I am doing my best to help the team.”
De Gevigney recorded his fourth assist of the season on Tuesday as he charged down a clearance near the Bolton penalty area and the ball dropped for John McAtee to score.
“That was our tactics, to press them. I had to follow players and get one on one. It worked so I am happy.”
Did Barnsley sit back too much against Bolton late on?
“I agree. But it’s not the first time and a lot of teams do that when they are winning. It’s disappointing.”
