Darrell Clarke admitted Barnsley’s 4-0 home loss to Leyton Orient was their worst performance under him and apologised to supporters.
The thrashing completed a year in which the Reds have won just six home league games, including two of the last 17.
Head coach Clarke said: “It just about sums up our 2024 home form. I was hoping for a positive ending to a disastrous run and didn’t get it.
“Sloppy goals from set pieces from the first two put us on the back foot.
“Conditions were very tough but the same for both teams and we didn’t find answers.”
He added: “It’s certainly the worst one under me by country mile. Our ideas with the ball were lacking.
“I can only apologise to our supporters.
“We have to quickly get that focus back and concentrate on a massive game on Boxing Day. That’s why we are coming in tomorrow. We need to clear lads’ minds. We don’t want it hanging over us. It’s all about the reaction now.
“I am hurting and I am sure the players are.”
On the home form, Clarke said: “The punters pay their hard-earned money and get no rewards. There is no hiding place. We have to front up and make 2025 lot better, I am determined to do that. We have got to make sure we turn this place into fortress after a disastrous end to the year.”
Luca Connell and Adam Phillips missed the game, with Marc Roberts and Josh Earl already out.
Clarke said: “Luca’s daughter hasn’t been well and he’s picked up a bug. Phillo had dental work that got a little bit complicated and it was a little bit worse than we thought.”
He added: “We missed Early and Robbo massively, and Luca and Phillo. What could go wrong went wrong.
“It’s not acceptable but we have to understand why.
“Players coming in have not had a lot of match practice and we have lost four or five mainstays. It’s not an excuse but it didn’t help.”
Clarke took off Matty Craig and Conor McCarthy after 37 minutes.
“It could have been any. I wanted to change formation, get some impetus and look at something different.
“But we never got going. It’s no slight on those players who came off.
“Credit to Barry Cotter when he came on, he was the positive. He got the crowd up.”
Mael de Gevigney, who was captain, added: “It’s really disappointing. It’s a shame. I apologise to the fans who came. We didn’t start the game like we should start.
“We conceded two goals on set pieces. It shouldn’t be happening. It shows we are not involved enough in the game and not doing well enough. The guys are really disappointed but we need to move forward.”
