Darrell Clarke said he was left ‘speechless’ by Barnsley’s ‘woeful’ performance in the 1-0 loss at home to Stevenage and added: ‘some players look mentally shot at home.’
The Reds only had one shot on target and conceded in the 92nd minute.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “We weren’t brave enough, we were sloppy and when we got it in the final third we didn’t get the cross or pass right. I am speechless with how poor we were.”
He added: “Woeful. Really really poor. So many of our players were guilty of giving sloppy possession away. We didn’t have anything in the final third. We couldn’t execute a simple ten-yard pass.
“Last week I was scratching my head about how we didn’t score ten. This week we were miles off the standard and quality needed to be top six club.
“The responsibility is on me but I can’t legislate for such a poor performance.
“The boys trained well then put on a real bad performance in front of our home fans and deserved reaction we got. Full respect for the fans. I would be the same watching that.”
Barnsley have now lost two in a row after four straight wins.
Clarke said: “It’s concerning. It always feels like we’re back to square one with this squad. We have spells of consistency then we’re miles off. I have to find out why that is because we didn’t work any differently for this game.”
Barnsley have won their previous two home games but only four of their 14 this season.
Clarke said: “Some players look mentally shot at home. They have got to find the mojo and confidence. There’s no hiding place. You have to keep concentration and do better. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered.”
Barnsley are hoping to bring in some new signings in the final nine days of the transfer window.
“We need help. We need reinforcements to come in and be better than the ones we’ve got in the team. The club are working hard but then we have days like today.
“Some players have been here for years and not hit the heights. We need to freshen up. Hopefully we get the right players who can boost the group, we want to finish top six.”
The goal Barnsley conceded was the 15th they have let in after 75 minutes this season – the most in English professional football this season. Clarke said: “We’re trying to be aggressive to win. We give a sloppy ball away they counter and score. No disrespect but I don’t want to take a point at home to Stevenage.”
Mael de Gevigney missed the game with an ankle injury and will be assessed on Monday. Luca Connell came off after a kick but Clarke said ‘he’ll be fine.’
Midfielder Kelechi Nwakali said: “It was one of those games where you don’t get a lot of space. We should have done better.
“The options didn’t come off very well today. It was basketball football going back and forward. We just need to pick ourselves up for Tuesday.”
