Neill Collins admits Barnsley’s performance in a 3-2 loss at Blackpool was ‘far below the standard’ and they now have to ‘regroup’ ahead of next week’s final league game.
The Reds went 3-0 down, during a very poor first hour, then John McAtee and Adam Phillips replied late on.
Barnsley are still fifth but only a point clear in the play-off places ahead of their last game at home to Northampton Town next Saturday. If they do not win, they could be overtaken and finish as low as eighth.
Collins said: “Far from the performance we wanted.
“We just got overwhelmed from the start. We created our own problems from the start - poor clearances, poor tackles, poor defending. It resulted in a great strike from them.
"We weathered the storm and I thought we could build our way in if it was 1-0 at half-time. But then we gave away a cheap free-kick and conceded off it. That’s what is costing us points regardless of performance.
"In the second half we made poor decisions and went 3-0 down. It would have been very easy, considering the schedule we’ve had, for the players to feel sorry for themselves but they kept going. But for some of the officiating we should have had a point which would have been petty valuable. Performance wise it was below the standard but the spirit the players showed once we went behind was really good."
Barnsley had several penalty appeals turned down and a Fabio Jalo goal ruled out for handball about which Collins said ‘the footage is not conclusive.’
He added: “First and foremost we weren’t good enough. But there was a blatant handball that would allow us to go 3-2 earlier. Then in the last minute the defender is crawling all over Fabio’s back and I couldn’t see anything other than a penalty. If we equalise at that point it would help us and we can address the performance later.”
Fans in the away end booed regularly and chanted for Collins to be sacked. The Reds have taken nine points from 11.
“We have to take any criticism on the chin. But we will be together this week. We will regroup and do everything we can to make sure we win on Saturday to get in the play-offs.
“No one’s expecations are higher than mine. That is the same for the players. Results just haven’t been good enough. That’s where the frustration lies for me and the fans.”
Substitutes such as Jalo and Aiden Marsh made an impact.
“Everyone who came on, I should hope on a day when we’ve been poor, lifted us. They were fresh. We have asked a lot of certain players like Adam Phillips but we can’t take him off because we’re missing players. It has maybe taken its toll on some players.”
Marsh added: “Everybody is frustrated with the result. We’ve come here to win. But everyone is getting around each other. We have a full week of training coming up and and it’s about the all important three points on Saturday.
“I spoke to Fabs and he said it was penalty, he said he shrugged him down from his shoulders.”
