Daniel Stendel admits his Barnsley side struggled with being favourites to beat lowly Bradford City at the start of the game but praised them for ‘controlling’ the final hour of the all-Yorkshire clash and winning 3-0.
The Reds cruised to victory with goals from Jacob Brown, Kieffer Moore and Alex Mowatt. Stendel told the Chronicle: “I am very satisfied with the performance. Bradford did not have a chance to score and we had a lot of chances to score. “In the first 20 minutes, Bradford were very attacking without making chances and they had a bit more passion. After the last weeks with only games against teams in the top of the table, it was expected that we win this game.
“At the start we weren’t 100 per cent on the pitch. After the first goal we lifted our game and we were in control of the rest of the game. I am very happy with the defence. It’s not easy when everyone thinks you will win but our defence was so concentrated which is very important for us.
“The first goal was a goal like we planned before the game. We wanted to get the ball out to the wing and get crosses in. The second goal was goal of the month.
“I like it when the away end is full but our fans go home with a smile and the Bradford fans go home with no smile.”
Stendel said he did not think Bradford’s Adam Chicksen should have been sent off for a late foul on Brown who was through on goal. Brown played on the right wing and scored the first goal then assisted the third.
Stendel said: “I am very happy with him. It was not in my head last week to play him there but he has done very well in training and he changed my opinion. He trained so well that he needed to play. I hope more players do that in the future. It was a good start for him in this position.”
Brown headed in Mamadou Thiam’s cross to break the deadlock in the 28th minute. He said: “It came to the back stick and me and Kieffer were both there. I didn’t push him out the way but, if I didn’t score, he wouldn’t have been happy.
“It was a big game. We knew they were in good form but we’ve been on good form as well so it was good to get another win.
“We played well as a team, the defence was quality again with another clean sheet which gives us a lot of confidence going forward to take risks. We played some good stuff and scored good goals.”
