DARRELL Clarke admits it will be ‘impossible’ for Barnsley to challenge for the top six with their current home form but is ‘determined’ to change it in 2025.

The Reds have the 21st best record at home in League One and lost 4-0 to Leyton Orient in their last game at Oakwell in 2024.

Head coach Clarke told the Chronicle: “It’s impossible to get near the top six with this home form. It has to change. We will not look at anybody else to galvanise us and make sure we pick up wins.

“The difference between the home and away results is shocking. That’s for me and us as a football club to change so supporters can enjoy their home games.

“We have to be winning at home for our supporters who pay a lot of money. It has to be rectified in a big way and hopefully the new year is a good reset for us.

“Wrexham come here on the first and let’s hope for brighter days.”

Clarke had been pleased with Barnsley’s performances if not results in recent weeks but was scathing in his review of the last two games.

“That does concerns me. We have to look at the reasons why. Without making excuses I think there are four players out who get in our team every week. Robbo (Marc Roberts) Early (Josh Earl), Luca (Connell) and Phillo (Adam Phillips). We missed them massively. We got away with it a little bit at Exeter with a strong second half performance but the Orient game wasn’t at the standard. We have to keep working away with the players, making sure performances like that are few and far between. It was a mile off.”