Barnsley boss Darrell Clarke admitted there was a ‘very low changing room’ after a 3-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers but added that large elements of the performance were ‘exactly what I want.’
The Reds dominated much of the game but missed a series of big chances, conceded either side of the break then, after Josh Earl pulled one back, they let in another late on.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “It’s a very low changing room. I have had to lose my head a few times this season. But I had to be honest today, there was so much good - the attacking patterns, slip and slides, controlling the ball – it was there but it the game is about winning. It’s frustrating we didn’t capitalise on what should have been three points. Turnover defensively was poor, the goals we conceded were poor and we didn’t finish chances in key moments.”
He added: “Some games have you massively scratching your head. We were dominant for a lot of it. Fair play to Rovers, they hit us on the counter a couple of times. We need to defend better and we have to take our chances. As a performance, with our attacking play, it’s exactly what I want. We had 25 shots. We will keep attacking the season.
“The lads have given me everything, we just need to tidy up and it’s a frustrating day.
“It’s a ‘keeper (Josh Griffiths) who has done unbelievable against us in two games, even the FA Cup game.”
Max Watters missed five big chances. Clarke said: “On another day Max gets three or four goals.
"I don’t think it’s a lack of confidence. The ‘keeper has pulled off good saves. He had two one on ones then stabs at one that goes over the bar. He’ll be disappointed but I want my players not to play with fear. Next game and he goes and takes those chances.
“It’s a fine line between saying we have to take chances but I want my players to play with freedom and not under pressure and express themselves. We will keep working on that and looking to improve our finishing.”
Top-scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn came off injured at half-time. Clarke said: “He’s rolled his ankle and it was precaution. You can only have three stoppages and I didn’t want to risk him. Humphs (Stephen Humphrys) came on and did very very well.”
Clarke said Neil Farrugia had a ‘good debut’ and that there could ‘quite possibly’ be a new signing this week.
Player Corey O’Keeffe added: “It’s frustrating. We thought we did really well but it’s about being clinical. On another day we could have had had five, six or seven. It’s massive for us to use that and go to the next game. We had a lot of good play.
“It’s football, it happens. You will get a game like that now and then. Other games you will play really bad and nick it 1-0.”
