Barnsley have been working hard on defending set pieces this week but are comfortable with Daniel Stendel’s zonal marking system, insists Dani Pinillos.
All but two of the nine goals the Reds have let in so far have been from set pieces including Coventry City’s winner on Saturday which condemned them to their first defeat of the season.
Pinillos, who lost a header in the build-up to the weekend goal, told the Chronicle: “We’ve been bad at defending set pieces but we are working on that. We need to focus more. We are happy with the zonal marking. The gaffer wants the best for the team and he thinks that is the best way to defend the set pieces, so we are happy.”
Spanish left-back Pinillos has started all eight matches so far this season, which is one more than he managed after signing in January. He says he is more settled now than when he arrived midway through a campaign which ended in relegation.
“It is always more easy when you start a new season, because you have more time to prepare and more time to be with your team-mates. I came in February last season and I didn’t know the fans, the town and the players so it was more difficult. But this season I knew most of the people here so it was better.
“I am really happy. I am always happy if I play. We have really good players and we are working hard to try to be in the Championship next season. It is always disgusting when you lose a game, even more if it is your first loss.
“But you always lose some games in football and we have to move on to the next one. The last two or three games, we have been creating chances but we didn’t have luck. We are in a good way so we need to keep working on small things, and we will win more games and be up high in the league for all of the season.”
