Mark Robins Interview
Written by Editor on Friday 25th September 2009

"When I was asked to become the manger of Barnsley Football Club it was an easy decision and one I am very glad I made. This Club is a fantastic place to come and work. Everyone has been very welcoming at Oakwell. Although my staff and I have only been here two weeks we feel like we belong here. We are all loving being here and look forward with excitement to taking this great Club forward.

"We have had a tremendous week, getting our first home win and progressing to the fourth round of the Carling Cup and getting our first victory in the Championship with a gutsy performance against Derby County.

"Confidence in the team is coming back and it was visible to see against Derby and Burnley when their heads did not drop after going behind. We have worked hard on that and those two performances showed that what we are trying to do in training is being applied in the games and it is getting results.

"This week I have added Suad Filekovic, Carl Dickinson and Ryan Shotton to the squad who will help strengthen our defensive options. Nathan Doyle and Julian Gray will also bring extra options in midfield and once Campbell-Ryce and Hallfredsson are back in the frame we will have strong competition for places in the middle of the park.

"I have been very pleased with how Anderson De Silva has responded to what I have been asking of him and getting two goals in the last three games goes some way in showing us and himself the ability everyone knew he had. Whilst we always look to the strikers to provide goals it is vital that players like De Silva chip in with their share if we are to challenge with clubs higher up the league.

"David Preece has grasped his opportunity with both hands to claim his place in the team. To call him a backup goalkeeper would be disrespectful to David. He has done an outstanding job and is worthy of being a first team player. I have been very impressed with his performances and has played an important part in our recent successes. Luke Steele is not far away from being fit and I will then have a headache when selecting who to pick. Both are excellent 'keepers and I have confidence that whoever occupies the position it will be in safe hands.

"Iain Hume played a barnstorming game on Tuesday against Burnley and did everything bar score, and that was just an inch away. He was fully deserving of getting the nod for Man of the Match. I know he is eager to get that first goal, but he is making chances for others and his goal will come with plenty more on top this season - that we can all be sure of.

"I am delighted to be in the last 16 of the Carling Cup. We scored some good goals and it was a fantastic match for the fans to watch. The big teams are all waiting in the next round and it presents a great opportunity to put Barnsley back on the footballing map again and we should not fear any team. A draw against one of the top Premier League clubs would give something for the staff, players and fan to get excited about and give a real boost to the town.

"We will know who we are going to face in the next round less than three hours before we are due to play Queens Park Rangers. No matter who comes out of the hat I will be making sure that it will be the game at 3.00pm that is the players only concern. Winning that game, getting out of the bottom three and bridging the gap between us and the top six is all that we will be thinking about.

"The Barnsley fans have been fantastic with me since I arrived and I would like to thank them for their support. I cannot emphasise enough just how important your contribution can be to the players and coaches. Although there were just 5,000 fans on Tuesday the backing we got was superb and helped lift the players. It is a cliche to talk about fans being the twelfth man, but it really is the case and we want to make Oakwell a fortress once again and bring about the results and performances you deserve to see when you come.

"Once again it will be another tough week ahead with two big games, but we will go out believing that we can win both of them and I look forward to your support on Saturday and Tuesday."

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