Barnsley v Middlesbrough: Positive display will dispel home discomfort – Hill

The Reds have yet to hit the net in three competitive games under the former Rochdale manager.

Despite earning a creditable goalless draw at Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the season, Barnsley have slipped to home defeats to Morecambe in the Carling Cup and Southampton in the Championship.

But Hill said: “I’m looking for a performance, and the goals will come from that. Two games in is not an entire 46-game season.

“People are trying to increase the pressure, and they have a right to do that, but it is still only two games.

“We put in a great performance at Nottingham Forest but unfortunately did not back that up against Southampton.

“You look at the Championship last Saturday and seven home teams failed to score. In the Premier League, there were no home winners.

“There’s an increase in pressure on players to perform at home. It seems easier for them to perform away from home, and that’s possibly a sign of things to come.”

So how does a manager buck that growing trend?

“We play positively,” said Hill. “I want the performance to be an indication of my ethos as a manager.

“It’s about playing with bravery. Scorelines can have a massive impact on perception.

“I am asking the players to play with creativity and without fear of recrimination from the stands if things don’t go right.

“I want them to express themselves and I feel the players can stand up to the demands I have put in place.”

The Reds boss will look to name the same side that faced Southampton, provided niggles and sniffles do not undermine him.

He said: “It’s a small squad and we have illness and injury but I’m not going to belly ache about that.

“Hopefully we can add two or three permanent signings before the end of August, but if not, I am happy with what I have got.”

Last six games: Barnsley DDWDLL, Middlesbrough WWWDWW.

Last time: Barnsley 2 Middlesbrough 0; August 28, 2010; Championship.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).