“It’s my expectation that they (will) leave.”
And he handled the questions he knew were coming about a style of play which won plaudits and respect but few beauty prizes as unfancied Barnsley made last season’s play-offs, promising a refined, tailored version of his gegenpress methods to suit what should be a more talented squad than he had in Yorkshire.
“For sure, out of possession you can expect the team will have that intensity to regain the ball as quickly as possible and to make things really unpleasant for the opponent,” he said.
“But the difference is that we will have more possession — that’s my expectation.”