DARRELL Clarke’s Barnsley team have achieved some good results in their pre-season games but the head coach says: ‘I can’t wait for the real stuff to start.’

The Reds suffered a 1-0 loss to Spanish top flight side Real Mallorca on Friday, at the end of a training camp at Loughborough University, then enjoyed a 4-3 win at home to Championship new boys Derby County on Wednesday.

Barnsley – who had previously won at Alfreton and Accrington while also playing behind-closed-doors against Burnley – are now in a nine-day build-up to the first league game against Mansfield Town on Friday of next week.

There is another friendly next week against another overseas team but it is due to be played behind-closed-door with no details released, while the Reds team will be mainly under 21s.

Asked to rate his pre-season, Darrell Clarke told the Chronicle: “Nuls points.

“You don’t get any points in pre-season. We have ticked the boxes of what we want to do.”

Clarke was introduced to the Barnsley fans before Wednesday’s game and was in the home dugout for the first time.

He said: “It was nice.

“I am proud to be Barnsley manager.

“I can’t wait for the real stuff to get going.

“It was a decent night.

“We have a lot of things to work on defensively but I am happy with a lot of what we did on the ball and the adaptability with formation changes.”

Barnsley under 21s won 4-0 at Guiseley on Tuesday – thanks to a first half hat-trick by Leo Farrell – and now are set to visit Mickleover Sports on Friday from 7pm and Huddersfield Town on Tuesday from 1pm

Barnsley under 18s lost 1-0 to Rotherham United under 19s on Saturday.

They are now due to host Sheffield Wednesday today.