Phil SumblerThere is little doubt that Barnsley manager Valérien Ismaël is a class act and he showed that after the play off semi final when he immediately offered his congratulations to Swansea and admitted that they were clinical over the two games.
Ismaël had seen his side put up a good fight over 180 minutes but come up short as they ended their season with a 2-1 aggregate defeat but can reflect back on a season that far exceeded any expectations that they may have had when they set out last September.
Ismaël guided the Tykes into 5th place against all odds and will have a summer now to work on his strategy for next season where you have to feel that they have a decent chance of competing near the top once again.
For the Swans we know that our destiny will be decided next week under the Arch of Wembley where a place in the Premier League will be at stake as we take on Brentford in the richest game in football.
Ismaël said after the game “Congratulations to Swansea, they deserve to be in the final. When you see the two games, they were really really clinical.
“Their first shot on target in the first leg was in and today, only shot on target was in. If you score one goal you deserve, it is as simple as that.
“We did our job and scored our goal away and wanted to stay in the game all the time and we kept alive and we can be proud of our performance and showed why we are in the play-offs and it is not a surprise. We deserve to be here.
“We fought until the end and for sure, we are disappointed. But we have time to reflect on how we reached this season with the squad with one of the lowest budgets in the league and the youngest team in the league.
“I want to thank everyone at the club and the staff for their commitment. They were all dedicated, the players, the background people and our fans for their support on Monday. We can be proud.
“You can imagine that it was a big disappointment (in the dressing room). But they gave everything and can stay proud. Swansea scored two goals and the quality made the difference; it is as simple as that.
“They scored in the same minute of each game and one they scored, it was enough. They were really dfsciplined and did not make any mistakes and we have to accept this.”
