Optimistic Johnson believes Barnsley will turn the tide soon

The visitors went down 4-3 after managing to net three times in the second half, courtesy of strikes from captain Alfie Mawson and Josh Scowen (2), but an-all too-familiar story of poorly-conceded goals ensured that they came home pointless from the Midlands following a 4-3 defeat.

The result leaves the Reds in the pressure and with Johnson under serious pressure with the Oakwell outfit currently enduring their worst losing run since the 1958-59 season.

Johnson, whose side face a banana-skin FA Cup first-round tie at Altrincham at the weekend, said: “We came to a good side which was always going to be difficult and we were clapped off by both sets of fans for the attempts we gave.

“It won’t be long now before we start picking up results; I’m sure of it.

“We have got a couple of players to come back and even that side who played (at Coventry) looked good enough to get some results.”

Johnson, who revealed that the club made an enquiry regarding the services of veteran midfielder Kevin Nolan, added: “I thought that in the first half that they were brighter than us and our back four showed a bit of fear.

“But then we got back into it. But we conceded another poor goal defensively, which was disappointing.

“Then we rallied a little bit and certainly bossed the midfield and in the second half, I thought we were the better side and gave it a go and the lads are still playing for everybody.

“Coventry are a good team and we penned them in and scored three goals in the second half and should have had a penalty and had a few other attempts.

“I thought (Ben) Pearson, (Josh) Scowen, (Lloyd) Isgrove and (Alfie) Mawson were fantastic. But we just keep conceding comedy goals from far too basic errors.”