DARRELL Clarke says he ‘won’t shy away’ from Barnsley’s need to win more regularly and acknowledges they will be looking to strengthen their forward line in the January transfer window.

The Reds are currently eighth in League One with 27 points from 18 games – three points off the play-off places. They lost on penalties at home to Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday then 1-0 at high-flying Wrexham in the league on Tuesday.

They now face another likely promotion-challenger when they host third-placed Birmingham City tomorrow.

The clash with the Blues will be their fifth match in 14 days, with the first four bringing three defeats and a draw while they have failed to score in three of them. Overall the Reds are winless in five games since beating Rotherham United on November 8.

Clarke told the Chronicle: “Results don’t reflect our performances but the stats are the stats. We have to improve, we know that. We’ve got to get wins, I have never shied away from that.

“It’s a club that needs to win games at this level. We have to put that together quickly but I think it’s coming.”

The Reds, who have had the most shots of any team in the division, had 70 in the three home games last week but scored just twice and didn’t win any – while, at Wrexham on Tuesday, they struggled to create chances.

“It’s not rocket science is it?” Clarke told the Chronicle when asked what area they would look to strengthen in the January window.

“We will keep our business in house and assess all areas of the pitch.

“But obviously, when we are producing the amount of opportunities at the top end of the pitch, there is a pressure to finish those chances. Most clubs are looking at that final product.”

Clarke has previously said he thinks, to get promoted, a team’s strikers need to score 40 goals between them.

His current fowards have 12 from 18 league games with Stephen Humphrys and Davis Keillor-Dunn on four, Max Watters – who is currently injured – on three and Sam Cosgrove on one.

Clarke told the Chronicle: “We have to finish more of our chances. The forward -thinking players have all had opportunities and we have to take them. There is always pressure. A centre forward’s job is obviously to put the ball in the back of the net. But we have other players who can do that as well so it’s a collective responsibility.”

Clarke has also said he thinks Barnsley’s squad is too big and some fringe players need to move on.

It is unclear exactly who he means but players who have not been featuring recently include defender Conor McCarthy, striker Aiden Marsh, goalkeeper Jackson Smith, wing-back Barry Cotter and injury-plagued midfielder Josh Benson. Tottenham loanee Matty Craig is also out of the starting line-up and one of a high number of midfielders.

Clarke said: “Some players need to go out. Competition for places is intense and competition to stay at the club is intense as well. We want players who can get us out of this level and help us sustain if we do get up a level.

“The squad is a little bit too big.

“We have a lot of players who haven’t played enough minutes and it is perhaps time for them to go elsewhere.

“We have a lot of players in one position and not a lot of depth in others.

“I have made a lot of decisions on players already but things can change quickly. Ben Killip, Jon Russell and Georgie Gent came into the team and took their opportunities.

“The door is never closed.”

Clarke has now been at Barnsley for more than six months. He said: “I thoroughly enjoy it. I feel we are improving, albeit we hit a bump with results not necessarily performances. Everything tells us that. We have to stay positive.

“I am so driven to want to bring success. I have had a lot of sleepless nights but I am enjoying it. I understand there is frustration at the moment but I love being at a club where expectations are high. We should be higher in the table with performances but it’s a results business. There are a lot of things moving in the right direction.”

Clarke also said: “The boys are down after the other night. They want to win games so they are hurting.

“It’s my job to pick them up and make them believe in themselves.”

After hosting Birmingham, Barnsley will have a week without a game before making the longest trip of the season to Exeter City. The following Saturday, December 21, they host Leyton Orient before completing the year at Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day and Peterborough United on December 29.