Unhappy Hill accuses Brown as captain faces time out

Butterfield, who was being watched by Newcastle United at the weekend, limped off following an early challenge by Leeds midfielder Michael Brown.

Manager Keith Hill admitted that his loss is a major blow to the Tykes who are now stepping up the search for a new midfielder.

Hill also condemned the challenge and accused referee Neil Swarbrick of failing to understand its seriousness.

“It happens in football but he knows what he is doing 100 per cent,” said Hill. “He has left a little bit on Jacob when the whistle has gone. He’s an excellent clever player (Brown) but he’s done a job on Jacob Butterfield and we can’t get away from that. They have deployed a tactic and it has worked

“His challenge was an ‘old pro’s’ challenge and I am not condoning it,” he said. “ It was one that me or Flicker (Barnsley’s assistant manager David Flitcroft) would have made in the past.

“It does belong in the past and we have fallen foul of it. The referees don’t really understand that kind of challenge.”

Barnsley, who visit Doncaster Rovers this afternoon, have also lost the services of midfielder Miles Addison, whose loan deal from Derby County has now expired.

Hill is keen to extend Addison’s stay but knows the player is unhappy with the amount of football he has played at Oakwell.

“I think Derby would let him come back,” said Hill. “He’s got a bright future but he’s got to decide his next move. Whether to stay or go and seek regular football?

“Defensively, he was an unsung hero against Leeds and in my eyes he deserved the man of the match award.

“We didn’t play him against Blackpool (on Boxing Day) but he came back in and was instrumental in the plan.

“It’s been difficult for Miles,” added Hill. “He’s been a stand out professional but I think he wanted to play more games and I can’t guarantee anybody playing.”

Hill, meanwhile, was full of praise for Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te, who scored a hat-trick against Leeds after starting the game on the bench.

“I think he was disappointed about not starting and I’m glad he’s responded because I think he was getting a little bit lazy,” said Hill.

“We know what a player he can be but, unless he educates himself and constantly reminds himself of his function, he will end up being a substitute no matter where he is playing in the world.

“I left him out because we needed to make sure we were not as expansive defensively,” Hill explained. “ It’s like being an alcoholic. You have got to keep reminding yourself that you are an alcoholic!

“It’s the same with Ricardo. He’s got to keep reminding himself that he’s not very good without the ball.

“When he is good without the ball and performs like that with the ball, we have got a talented player. He is scoring goals but scoring goals is a bonus to his function in the team.”

Although victory lifted Barnsley to 13th in the Championship table on 33 points, Hill stressed that his target is still 50 points for safety.

“To inflict a performance and a result like that on Leeds was special for the players and it gives our supporters the bragging rights,” he said.

“We played players out of positions but what I have got from this group of players is honesty, commitment, and a belief in each other.

“The three points is massive with respect to only needing 17 points now from the remaining 22 games,” he said. “The priority is making sure we get our status secured. We can’t take our eye off that because the demands of this league are so harsh.”