DARRELL Clarke says the Reds have to ‘ride the wave’ during a winless run and injury crisis but added: ‘I do actually think we will finish in the top six.’
The Reds are eighth in League One, four points off the top six, following a 2-1 loss at home to high-flying Birmingham City on Saturday.
They are winless in six in all competitions, losing the last two.
They now make their longest trip of the season to Exeter City tomorrow, without regular starters like Josh Earl and Marc Roberts due to injury.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “Of course I think about the table and the gap, but I think we are capable of stringing wins together. I believe in the boys and have a lot of faith in them if they can maximise their performances.
“We understand we’ve lost our way a little bit with results in the last five or six games. We should be a lot higher in the league in my opinion, certainly on performances. But we can’t become victims. We could moan, sulk and gripe about the injuries and other things, or we can do something about it.
“I like to do something about it.
“I don’t like negativity around the place which comes when you’re not getting results. I understand that.
“Our fanbase is superb and the reason I get up every morning is to win games and make this club successful because the fans are so passionate and want success. We will keep striving for that.
“I do actually think we will finish in the top six. I think we’ll be right up there. We have just got to ride the wave that we’re on at the minute and make sure we turn better performances into better results.”
After the game on Saturday, a frustrated Clarke said some of his players ‘talk the talk’ but questioned if they ‘walk the walk’. Asked if the recent run had changed his opinion on what is needed in the January transfer window, he told the Chronicle: “You are always learning about players in competitive environments and you learn more when things aren’t going particularly well individually and collectively as a team.
“There are team elements like not being set and ready after we scored against Birmingham the other day but then, individually, we’re looking at how players cope under a bit of pressure and strain. I think there have been a lot of good performances without the results.
“That is probably more frustrating than if it was the other way around and then there might be wholesale changes in January. We’re trying to put a bit of common sense into it and not overreact but also make sure the players understand we need to win games.”
Clarke said Barnsley are looking for ‘one or two key missing pieces’ in January. He added: “Judge us after the window.
“We have to strengthen because there were lot of changes (last summer).
“We want to get out of the division, that goes without saying. We need to improve the squad as much as we possibly can in the window. I am having great discussions with Mladen (Sormaz, the sporting director) and the board.
“We are on the same page and know where we need to get better.”
Reports have claimed this week that Tottenham will recall loanee midfielder Matty Craig from Barnsley in January after he dropped out of the side recently.
A week after the Exeter game, the Reds are due to host relegation-battling Leyton Orient on December 21 before visiting Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day and Peterborough United on December 29 then hosting Wrexham on New Year’s Day.
