Barnsley must smarten up in bid to reach Championship’s top six

IT is perhaps surprising that a side aiming to avoid a third straight Championship defeat tomorrow can retain such a positive mind-set.

However, given Barnsley’s previous two losses have been against the competition’s top-two and, on each occasion, they thoroughly tested their lofty opponents, it is easier to understand.

The Reds sit 10th ahead of the trip to Watford – another top-six opponent – when they know they must eradicate basic errors to ensure all the good work Valerien Ismael has initiated since arriving as head coach in October does not start to unravel.

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They lost 2-0 against Swansea City on Saturday night despite having the majority of possession against second-placed opponents who managed to score with their two on-target efforts.

Yet the second goal, early in the second half, was gifted to them following a mix-up between otherwise impressive centre-backs Mads Andersen and Michal Helik.

Jamal Lowe, the in-form Swansea striker, was never likely to flinch as he strode on to strike his seventh goal in as many games, adding to Ben Cabango’s first-half stoppage-time glanced header from Connor Roberts’s long throw.

Lowe’s goal clearly irritated Ismael, not because replays suggested the forward was initially offside, but because it was such a “stupid” effort to concede.

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“It’s easy: just communicate, clear the ball and we’re still in the game. It killed the game,” he reflected.

Barnsley's Victor Adeboyejo fires his shot just over the bar.  Picture Tony JohnsonBarnsley's Victor Adeboyejo fires his shot just over the bar.  Picture Tony Johnson
Barnsley's Victor Adeboyejo fires his shot just over the bar. Picture Tony Johnson

It has been a common theme against top-six opponents, Barnsley having also lost 2-0 at Swansea just before Christmas and having pushed leaders Norwich City close before falling 1-0 prior to this.

Right-back Callum Brittain conceded there was disappointment at that inability to be more ruthless like their promotion-chasing opponents clearly were.

“I think we were really good in both halves,” said the 22-year-old, bought from MK Dons in October.

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“There were parts of the game where we could have been better and obviously there’s that silly mistake for the second.

Barnsley's Carlton Morris runs at  Swans' Kyle Naughton.  Picture Tony JohnsonBarnsley's Carlton Morris runs at  Swans' Kyle Naughton.  Picture Tony Johnson
Barnsley's Carlton Morris runs at Swans' Kyle Naughton. Picture Tony Johnson

“The first was a bit of a lottery goal; five players went to head it and it’s just come off his head and gone in.

“But given we were facing a team that’s second in the league, I do think we were the better team for the majority of the game so it is disappointing to come away with that result.

“We’ve faced the top two sides in the league and competed and probably could have taken points from both games.

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“That gives us real confidence going into Watford on Tuesday and a real tough end of January.”

Swansea's Jamal Lowe slots the ball past Tykes keeper Jack Walton  to score after Mads Andersen's mistake.  Picture Tony JohnsonSwansea's Jamal Lowe slots the ball past Tykes keeper Jack Walton  to score after Mads Andersen's mistake.  Picture Tony Johnson
Swansea's Jamal Lowe slots the ball past Tykes keeper Jack Walton to score after Mads Andersen's mistake. Picture Tony Johnson

Brittain admitted his defensive colleagues Andersen and Helik were upset by their failure to deal with that rudimentary ball in the 55th minute, both rushing towards it but neither negating the threat.

“I think anyone would be disappointed if they’d made a mistake that led to a goal but it’s football,” he said.

“These things happen. Us boys will get around them and get their heads up. They are two good players who are playing well at the moment so they can’t think about it too much.

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“We’re playing really well and getting unfortunate with silly mistakes. We cut those out and teams won’t score against us.”

Victor Adeboyejo was Barnsley’s biggest threat as the Nigerian made the most of being promoted to the starting line-up.

He was one of just two changes to the side that defeated Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup, goalkeeper Jack Walton also returning. However, Brittain arguably had the hosts’ best chance when, looking to overhaul that two-goal deficit, his wonderful 30m drive gleaned a stunning save from Freddie Woodman.

It was Brittain’s 18th game since making the step-up from League One. He has clearly adjusted well but a first goal in Barnsley colours still eludes him.

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“It was more than a ‘good’ save,” said Brittain, who also came up with some timely blocks at the other end when Swansea did raise their attacking threat in the second period.

“I’m gutted, to be honest. I want it to come but it’s not coming at the moment. As much as I can do for the team defensively and going forward I want to contribute.

“I got plenty of shots in but it’s just not going in.”

Frustratingly, Barnsley had the better of the first half chances with Cabango’s header being Swansea’s first genuine threat.

Given Steve Cooper’s team have the meanest defence in the Championship – they have conceded just 13 goals in 25 games – it was always going to be an uphill task after that.

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Ismael will hope Carlton Morris can help them be more ruthless.

The striker, bought from Norwich City the previous week, came on for his debut and showed some neat touches.

Morris spent most of last season on loan at MK Dons alongside Brittain, who said: “I was close to Carlton at Dons. He came on and made a real difference tonight. He’s a real presence and has a lot of good attributes.”

The same could be said of Barnsley as a whole. They just need to smarten up.

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Barnsley: Walton; Styles, Andersen, Brittain, Kane (Palmer 62), Woodrow, Chaplin (Morris 62), Sollbauer (Sibbick 83), Mowatt, Adeboyejo (Thomas 83), Helik. Unused substitutes: Collins, Schmidt, Oduor, Frieser, Moon.

Swansea City: Woodman: Guehi, Fulton, Smith, Grimes, Lowe, Ayew, Roberts, Bidwell, Naughton, Cabango. Unused substitutes: Hamer, Manning, Routledge, Cullen, Dhanda, Latibeaudiere, Byers, Cooper, Garrick.

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire).

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