Barnsley: Johnson warning against complacency as Reds make top-six pitch

LEE JOHNSON maintained his 100 per cent record as Barnsley head coach with a single-goal victory over Coventry City at Oakwell on Tuesday night - but is guarding against complacency after the Reds propelled themselves to within touching distance of the League One play-offs.
Lee Johnson takes charge of his first game as Barnsley manager.Lee Johnson takes charge of his first game as Barnsley manager.
Lee Johnson takes charge of his first game as Barnsley manager.

Barnsley secured a fourth straight league win for the first time this season and a fourth consecutive clean sheet with loan striker George Waring being the match-winner for the second successive match, with the Stoke forward following up his strike at Gillingham with the only goal of the game against the Sky Blues.

The latest victory is fuelling talk of a play-off tilt for the tenth-placed Reds, who are two points behind sixth-placed Doncaster Rovers, having been as low as 19th in the table as recently as February 14.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Johnson, who took over at Barnsley seven days ago, said: “I’m very happy, it is the second win in a week, fourth overall and we’re on a good little run and two points off the play-offs.

“But we can’t get carried away because that complacency can set in. We have another home game on Saturday and I thought it was a good performance.

“It is such a young group yet it is bursting with enthusiasm and the ability to win the game in the way we did.

“Our midfield three were excellent, I don’t think they gave Coventry’s midfield a second.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As soon as someone went, they inevitably won the ball and not only did they win it, they nicked it and gave it to one of their mates who had full energy to go and be dynamic.”

Barnsley welcome Walsall at Oakwell on Saturday before visiting Johnson’s former club Oldham on March 14.