DARRELL Clarke ‘understands the frustrations’ of Barnsley fans over a lack of depth up front, but will keep working with the existing forwards as well as talking to potential free agents.
The Reds are tenth in League One, a point off the play-offs after they drew 0-0 at home to Burton Albion on Saturday, having lost the previous three.
They visit fourth-placed Stockport County tomorrow.
Barnsley made two deadline day signings as the January window closed on Monday – loaning in French striker Clément Rodrigues and Wolverhampton Wanderers wing-back Dexter Lembikisa.
They had signed left wing-back Neil Farrugia and goalkeeper Joe Gauci earlier in the window.
Loaned out were striker Sam Cosgrove to Stockport – although he cannot play on Saturday – and wing-back Kyran Lofthouse to Burton Albion while goalkeeper Ben Killip was sold to Portsmouth.
Up front, Barnsley currently have Davis Keillor-Dunn, Stephen Humphrys and Rodrigues – with Max Watters and Fabio Jalo thought to be out injured until March. Academy graduate Josiah Dyer, 20, was on the league bench for the first time at the weekend.
The Reds are considering bringing in a player in the free agent market, most likely from overseas, and Clarke was due to have a Zoom meeting with one potential signing yesterday.
On the doubts among supporters about the strikers, Clarke told the Chronicle: “I understand the frustration, totally.
“We have had a lot of territory in games and probably got the ball in the final third and penalty box the most in the league.
“It’s up to me and my staff to get more out of forward-thinking players and they have to be more clinical.
“I don’t know a lot about Clement but I back the recruitment team. I have seen bits and pieces on him and how he’s trained and I’m looking forward to seeing him in action. Hopefully he can make a difference.”
Asked if he is happy with the window, Clarke said: “Are head coaches ever happy? I am looking forward to the last 17 games and to seeing the new players play.
“We know what the squad is, although we are looking in the free agent market.
“The recruitment team has worked really hard all window. We will see how competitive we are. Clubs are making massive investment and it’s not a great time to do business.”
Killip had been the starting goalkeeper for 17 successive league games from October until Tuesday of last week when he impressed despite a 2-1 loss at Wycombe Wanderers. But he was dropped for new signing Gauci then moved to Championship Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee, with Jackson Smith – who was originally expected to be loaned out – staying as back-up.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “Ben had an opportunity to go to a League Two club then Portsmouth came for a back-up.
“As far as I know, he will be their number two. He wanted to take that opportunity, when he might have chosen a team he would probably play more games for.
“Ben is a great lad and professional but I am here to assess players I think can get us into the top six. Sometimes I am wrong, sometimes I am right.
“Joe brings a different dynamic and different strengths. We saw that in his first game. Joe gets my full backing with Jackson Smith fighting for his place as number two.”
Cosgrove moved to fourth-placed Stockport. He had not started since October and not scored in 19 games.
Clarke said: “Sam will say he’s not played enough games and I will say he hasn’t shown me enough.
“He’s a great lad, I have no problems with him but, for whatever reason, he hasn’t got going at this club.
“Sometimes it’s good for a player to move on. I wish him all the best.”
One player who did not leave was midfielder Josh Benson. There was interest in taking him on loan from clubs, especially League Two Swindon Town, but the Chronicle understands that no one offered to cover enough of his substantial wages for the Reds to justify sending him out.
Benson, who has not started a league match since 2023, is now expected to remain at Oakwell until his contract runs out in the summer and provide cover in midfield. He was on the bench on Saturday but did not come on.
Clarke said: “Josh was available.
“He’s been at the club a long time and mentally been through the wringer with all the injuries he’s had.
“He will be part of the group, he won’t be moved to the side.
“A move didn’t materialise this window so I will be working my best with Josh and pushing him to try to get into my team.”
On Lofthouse, Clarke said: “He wanted guaranteed minutes. I am not a manager who is going to do that. He wanted to take a loan opportunity. I didn’t want any negativity in the second half of the season. It was not a hard decision.”
Rodrigues spent most of his career in the semi-professional lower leagues in France but played in the second tier across the last two seasons, scoring six goals in 39 games for relegated US Concarneau then Bastia this season.
The 24-year-old has joined on loan until the end of the season with a Barnsley option agreed for a permanent deal. He has a work permit and can play tomorrow.
Clarke said: “We feel like we’ve found a little gem. Sometimes players come in and are written off before kicking a ball.
“I know there’s a lot of frustration but I know our fans are fair and they will get behind players who represent the club and give everything for the shirt.
“There is pressure on all the players, and me because I have said we want to get in the top six and we do.”
Teenage midfielder Vimal Yoganathan – having signed a new contract until 2028 with a club option for an extra year – was loaned out to non-league Oldham Athletic, while striker Andy Dallas was loaned to League Two Morecambe.
