Analysis from Barnsley's 1-0 loss at Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.

MID-TABLE BECKONS AFTER WINNING RUN ENDS

BARNSLEY have not been closer to Wembley geographically all season than on Tuesday but, after this deserved defeat, they felt as far away as ever from the play-offs.

This result left the Reds six points and four places outside the top six.

They had looked set for a total collapse last month when they collected a point from six games, a wretched run which could have seen serious unrest among the fanbase had it continued. But – after three wins then this loss - the season seems most likely to be a stumble towards a mid-table finish, with big question marks over the long-term ability to be anything more than an average third tier club.

A promotion push, sadly, feels beyond them.

In their 11 games against the current top six, they have won one and lost seven including all five away matches with them. They are just not on the same level as the top sides in the division now.

After 35 games last season, the Reds had 67 points – 15 more than their current total – but they fell away dramatically in the final quarter to finish on 76. This time they would need the opposite.

The teams currently in the play-offs are on course for points totals in the mid to high 70s, so the Reds probably need to win eight of their last 11 games.

They are due to play five straight games now against teams below them, several of whom are battling the drop. Winning all of the next five is probably imperative, and would put them right back in the mix after 40 games.

But they are so inconsistent, and now so depleted by injury, that it is difficult to imagine them not slipping up in that run.

DEPLETED AND DISAPPOINTING REDS CAN’T COMPETE

On January 4, fifth-placed Barnsley were six places and eight points clear of Charlton. Exactly two months later, the Reds were seven points and five places behind the Addicks.

Charlton started Tuesday as the team in sixth who Barnsley were chasing and a win would have made a serious statement.

But, other than a bright start, they never really laid a glove on their in-form hosts.

They were flat on Pancake Day and it seemed a game too far - a fourth fixture in ten days in which they have lost several players to injury and suspension. The hosts, without being spectacular, should have won by a wider scoreline.

Charlton’s wingers Tyreece Campbell - easily the best player on the pitch - and Thierry Small, who played under Darrell Clarke at Port Vale, caused major problems with their pace and movement while the Reds struggled to pick up former Barnsley man Luke Berry’s runs from midfield.

SMITH FUMBLES IN POOR GOAL

Barnsley had started well but conceded a poor goal after 12 minutes.

After Corey O’Keeffe fouled Campbell, Macaulay Gillesphey’s free-kick from outside the box went through the wall, via a touch off Jon Russell’s leg, and through the grip of goalkeeper Jackson Smith who should have saved it.

For the second season in a row, Charlton opened the scoring from a very poorly defended free-kick in front of the Reds fans after a similarly flimsy wall and poor Liam Roberts goalkeeping allowed Alfie May to net last April.

The Addicks were also gifted a goal at Oakwell this season when Gaga Slonina dropped a cross, then was dropped himself and never played again. Dropping Smith is not really an option with only academy graduate Kieren Flavell in reserve. It would be premature anyway after one error in an otherwise good start to his Reds career. He made some impressive saves in the second half.

The back three in front of him was generally solid. Marc Roberts again made a high number of clearances while Conor McCarthy had another decent game overall after his return to the side.

Captain Luca Connell returned from suspension – replacing the benched Kelechi Nwakali at the base of the midfield – and was probably the most energetic Red, but put four long-range shots off target.

NOTHING IN ATTACK AFTER BRIGHT START

Charlton are unbeaten at home in nine, winning the last six, and have not conceded from open play at The Valley in 2025.

It would have taken something special to breach that defence and Davis Keillor-Dunn nearly provided it minutes after the home goal when he brilliantly ran past three defenders to go clean through but shot straight at the goalkeeper. It would have been the first away goal scored at Charlton in open play since Wycombe's Richard Kone who Keillor-Dunn is chasing for the golden boot.

But after that, the Reds barely threatened with just a few long-range shots. They mainly attacked through Roberts’ long throws which were easily dealt with by the imposing home defence led by the dominant Lloyd Jones. O’Keeffe’s set pieces – which have been a lot worse recently – were not threatening.

Stephen Humphrys took his goalless run to 19 games then was replaced at half-time by Max Watters who touched the ball nine times.

Clarke brought on wing-back Dexter Lembikisa and defensive midfielder Nwakali with his last substitutions and left new striker Clement Rodrigues on the bench - a sad indictment on their winter transfer window.

INJURY LIST GETS LONGER AND LONGER

Barnsley’s injury crisis deepened with Josh Earl hobbling off after half an hour then Adam Phillips being replaced at the break - both with muscle strains.

They became the seventh and eighth players on the Reds injury list, with Mael de Gevigney suspended.

Other than goalkeeper Joe Gauci, all the injuries had been to players who have not been in Clarke’s first choice 11 - which does reduce his squad depth significantly in a gruelling spell of regular games. But now his first team regulars are joining the long list of absentees.

All teams pick up injuries, with the likes of Huddersfield dealing with worse across the season than the Reds who did not have too many before recent weeks. But this pile-up in the physio’s room is hampering any late charge towards the top six, as well as their poor home form and general inconsistency among other issues.

Earl was replaced by Connor Barratt who - after his error on Saturday - was one of the few positives in midweek as he looked confident on the ball and defended well despite being tested by flying winger Campbell. He made a strong claim to make his full debut against Blackpool at the weekend.

Midfielder Josh Benson - who came on at half-time for Phillips - could potentially make his first league start for nearly two years.

Neil Farrugia returned from injury to replace Georgie Gent, now out for the season, at left wing-back.