Daniel Stendel was proud of his Barnsley players despite their Yorkshire derby defeat at home to Leeds United on Sunday.
The visitors netted in the 83rd and 89th minute after both sides had plenty of chances in an even contest.
Head coach Stendel told the Chronicle: “The main point is I am proud of this performance. We played like we can play. When you create so many chances against Leeds, it’s a very good performance. But we needed to take the chances in the right moment.
“In the end, you can see why Leeds have a big chance to be promoted this season. We are all disappointed but this is the performance we need every week and also to score. If we do that, we will win the points we need to stay in the league.”
Stendel said before the game that he had worked during the international break on returning to the high-pressing style that earned promotion from League One last season.
“We had a high press, kept Leeds in their own half a lot of the time and created a lot of chances after winning the ball. We played fast and defended high. I wanted to have the feeling when I stand on the sideline that we can win the game and that we want to win the game and we play with courage.
“I saw that today and then I can accept when we lose the game. In the end, Leeds was the better team but, for our effort, we deserved a point.”
Substitute Mamadou Thiam conceded the free-kick from which Eddie Nketiah turned in the opener, then the visitors got a second from the penalty spot after Aapo Halme’s foul.
“When we conceded the free-kick I thought ‘oh no’. Mistakes happen and we concede goals. It was a free-kick and penalty that decided the game but both teams had a lot of chances to score normal goals today. We could have been in front by then.”
Stendel was pleased to bring back players from injury such as Cauley Woodrow, Jacob Brown, Alex Mowatt and Jordan Williams.
“We need those players back. Browny is a player who fits 100 per cent to our style, he plays fast, he runs in behind, he works hard and plays with a passion everyone expects when they came to Oakwell. It’s good for our team that we have more options.”
Brown, who made his first appearance of the season after injury, said: “We did well for most of the game, until the last few minutes. We had some chances and probably should have scored a couple. We just lost a bit of concentration. The worst thing is we worked hard all game and put a shift in but to go under towards the end is a sickener.
“Leeds are clearly one of the best teams in the league so to play like we did is positive. If we play like that as a team in other games we will pick up points.”
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa said it was a ‘beautiful match’ and added: “It was a match that we deserved to win but we could lose or draw. We have to say the opponent was very good, a young team who ran a lot and always tried to play. I say congratulations to their manager and players. It’s an honest team. It is incredible that a team like this is near the bottom of the table.”
