ASKED about Barnsley’s stoppage-time concession, which extended their run without a clean sheet to 26 matches, a victorious Conor Hourihane said that he ‘couldn’t give a toss’.

Judging by Rotherham United’s display in an insult of a second half, a fair number of their players don’t give a monkey’s either.

A visibly angry Lee Clark called them out in withering fashion following the game after issuing an ‘unreserved’ apology to home supporters.

Passionate and right on the money, Clark’s words arrested the attention instantly.

Rotherham United boss Lee Clark berates his players in Saturday's derby loss to Barnsley. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Rotherham United boss Lee Clark berates his players in Saturday's derby loss to Barnsley. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

It was the best and most convincing performance of a tortuous 2025-26 season from anyone associated with the Millers. A season that will end in relegation very shortly.

Shame it arrived from a manager in an after-match press conference and not from anyone wearing a Millers jersey.

Clark damningly labelled those out on the pitch as ‘practice-match players’; brilliant in training, brutal on a matchday. The only individual he appeared to absolve from criticism on the day was Dan Gore.

‘An absolute disgrace’ and ‘scandalous’ were words he used to describe Barnsley’s opener after his side were caught with their pants down on the counter. A goal which would have embarrassed a Sunday morning side, Clark blasted.

Barnsley's Tom Bradshaw celebrates his second goal on derby day against Barnsley. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

As for the second period, he felt his side just ‘gave up’. A side whose race is run at League One level with players in the departure lounge.

Rotherham may be destined for the fourth tier – it will be confirmed if they lose at Wigan on Tuesday. But the lack of fight and pride in performance - in a derby for heaven’s sake - on the resumption was inexcusable and reprehensible.

For the plethora of players out of contract in June, Clark signalled his clear intent to rumble a few.

"If there are people who think that's the end and they don't want to try to contribute (here), no problem,” he said.

"But I'll not be looking after them. I'll be letting the fans know, I'll be letting the football world know.

"If people have that mentality that they're not ready to go anymore and want to throw the towel, there will be repercussions, absolutely.”

For all the Millers' ills, it would be disingenuous not to mention the other side of the story.

This relieving result for Barnsley - a first win in seven matches - emphatically ended any lingering relegation issues. It was all the more noteworthy, without their talisman in David McGoldrick.

Reds captain Luca Connell was also absent - his partner gave birth on Friday.

Rotherham should have quietly fancied it.

With two key players in Barnsley's spine out, there was plenty on the young shoulders of good mates Jono Bland and Vimal Yoganathan. Bland stepped up in the second half in particular, but the game honours went to captain-for-the-day Adam Phillips and two-goal Tom Bradshaw.

A proper Adam Phillips performance, gushed Hourihane afterwards. He made a shrewd decision with the armband. Praise also for Bradshaw, a player Rotherham considered during the winter window.

One of the game’s good guys was finally afforded some personal kudos for all his unselfish graft - which managers always spot, but fans often don’t.

After a nothing opening, Rotherham had their moments before the visitors' opener. Gabriele Bianchieri, in his first start, spurned two opportunities and Owen Goodman parried an angled drive from Harry Gray.

It rebounded off covering defender Eoghan O’Connell towards the empty net, but the Reds defender cleared in the nick of time.

At the other end, the hosts' backline was fitful. Zak Jules was error-prone and Jamal Baptiste was sloppy, while Lenny Agbaire got the hook at half-time. Never mind Panic Attack in the Grand National at Aintree, it was panic stations at the back all game.

Jules was out-foxed in the centre of the pitch for the opener. Patrick Kelly fed Phillips and his fierce low drive was deadly. Vintage Phillips.

In the second half, Barnsley had a ball. Chances came and went before a killer second from Bradshaw; a deft header following an excellent Bland cross.

It was the cue for the hosts to ship out. Bradshaw tucked away a third after comedy defending. Millers followers streamed for the exits and who could blame them.

A first goal of the Clark era came in stoppage-time when Sam Nombe netted a charitable penalty after he went down under pressure from O'Connell and Marc Roberts. That hardly anyone was in the home sections to see it said it all.

The Millers’ splash down League One has been a lot less watchable than Artemis, that’s for sure.

Rotherham United: Cann; Baptiste, Agbaire (Hall HT), Jules, James; Kelly (Watmore 58), Gore, Biancheri (Martha HT), Benson (Hugill 66), Gray; Nombe. Substitutes unused: Childs, Rafferty, Lee.

Barnsley: Goodman; O’Keeffe, De Gevigney, O’Connell, Earl (Shepherd 78); Bland, Yoganathan; Phillips (Watson 78), Kelly (Roberts 88), Banks (Cleary 69); Bradshaw (Farrell 88). Substitutes unused: Flavell, Ogbeta.

Referee: L Swabey (Devon).