CRITICISM of head coach Neill Collins by some Barnsley fans is ‘a bit unwarranted’ says chairman Neerav Parekh who still believes the Reds have a strong chance of finishing in the top six and even top two this season.
Sections of the fanbase on social media have voiced their displeasure with the former Tampa Bay Rowdies boss – who signed a two-year deal last summer – and there has been some negative chants in the crowd recently.
The Reds have lost one of their last eight league games and are just two points off the play-offs. They are eight points off the top two.
But they have struggled at home under Collins, and against other teams in the top eight, while there have been questions from supporters over the possession-based style of play.
Parekh told the Chronicle: “Neill has more points than we had at this stage of last season.
“So to give him criticism is a bit unwarranted.
“I know fans want to see a different style of football with more high press.
“But it’s difficult for Neill to come in after a lot of change to the team such as a new back three.
“It’s a transitional period – players need to get familiar with each other then hopefully we will see more free-flowing football.
“But at the end of the day he is getting points on the board which is the most important thing in a results business.”
The Reds lost in the play-off final last season and were expected to mount another promotion push this time.
Parekh said: “It’s been a good start.
“We are ahead of last season but we had an exceptional second half of last season so the pressure is on Neill to replicate that.
“It would have been tough to ask for more points at this point, I didn’t expect any more, but we need to keep it going.
“It’s a long season and there are some very good teams in the league.
“Any season in League One, Barnsley have to be pushing for promotion. If we don’t get it, we will rebuild and go again. But it’s early days. I think we can make the play-offs, potentially the top two.”
Collins’ predecessor as head coach Michael Duff – who left for Swansea City last summer – was sacked by the Welsh club this week.
