LUCA Connell admits Barnsley’s squad ‘weren’t fully on it’ before the intense international break last month which appears to have transformed their form.

The Reds worked hard over the two-week break following a series of disappointing results and performances, then have won three of their four league games to go up to fourth.

Captain Connell said head coach Darrell Clarke did not let them have the days off they had agreed to, as they had not reached the required points total.

Connell told the Chronicle: “The gaffer had given us a points tally for having days off in that break, as an incentive.

“But we didn’t hit it and we didn’t deserve to go on holiday or enjoy some time off.

“I think we got one day off but we were in every other day, we were working on stuff.

“I think people can see that it’s starting to pay off and it’s helping us in the long run.

“Not a lot has changed apart from maybe the intensity has risen in training.

“A lot of the lads have lifted their standards.

“I think we came into it and weren’t fully on it. The results showed that.

“We have all been at it in training and the results are following now.”

Connell has played 95 games for the Reds but will have to wait slightly longer to reach 100.

He picked up his fifth yellow card of the season on Friday evening, near the end of the 2-0 home win over Rotherham United, meaning he will be suspended for Saturday’s trip to Cambridge United.

He says sitting out one match will be comparatively easy after missing four months last season with illness, then suffering further injuries.

“I have had a good run of games. It’s just one of those things.

“It was late in the game and I didn’t want them to counter.

“I will train hard and be ready for the game after.

“After how much I missed last season, missing just one game sounds lovely compared to that.

“Obviously I don’t want to miss games but the rules are the rules and I will take the consequences.

“We have a lot of midfielders who deserve chances – they have been training well and playing well when they have had the chance.

“Hopefully whoever comes in does well and we get the result at Cambridge.”

Connell has been playing in midfield recently with Jon Russell who has scored from corners in the last two league games.

The skipper said: “He’s like a magnet. Every time you put the ball in the box, it just ends up on his head or foot.

“We don’t mind who is scoring but Jon is finding himself in those positions and he’s putting the goals away.

“We just need to keep working on it and keep feeding him.”