'Time will tell': Barnsley FC boss on free agents, case for defence and Kelechi Nwakali

AS it stands, Darrell Clarke has no active plans to enter the free agent market and potentially bring in another defensive option.

On the prospect of that changing, the Barnsley head coach is likely to be dictated by future events. ‘Time will tell’ he cryptically said, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Burton Albion.

The case for the defence has been very underwhelming this week, given a grim concession of 10 goals in two comprehensive and painful defeats in league and cup to Stevenage and Manchester United respectively.

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Clarke is conscious of the need for calm and certainly won’t overreact. But he also will not tolerate many more instances of his defence – or any players – being ‘flaky’ in the weeks and months ago.

Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke cuts a dejected figure after his side's 7-0 defeat in their Carabao Cup third-round match tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke cuts a dejected figure after his side's 7-0 defeat in their Carabao Cup third-round match tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.
Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke cuts a dejected figure after his side's 7-0 defeat in their Carabao Cup third-round match tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.

He said: “We’ve got Robbo (Marc Roberts), Donovan Pines, Mael (de Gevigney), Josh Earl and Conor McCarthy. It’s an area where there have been a couple of performances – and not just the backline – where we have been a little bit soft and flaky.

"But I also want to be conscious that it’s been a solid start with a new group and we build. You only learn as you move along to see how players are going to react to a little bit of criticism from myself.

"Then, time will tell.”

Meanwhile, Clarke says that player-coach Conor Hourihane will be handed extra coaching responsibilities following Dean Whitehead’s exit to Stoke City – and has reiterated the reasons why he has had limited involvement on the pitch so far this term.

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He added: "Conor’s passion now is more into his coaching than playing, it’s as simple as that.

"He was always coming in as more of a coach and that was the case when I (first) sat down and had a conversation with him. I get that.”

The Reds chief admits that Nigeria international midfielder Kelechi Nwakali remains some way off from first-team contention after missing out on a pre-season.

On the ex-Arsenal player, who joined in mid-August, Clarke continued: "Kelechi is a mile off. He needs to do what I’ve told him to do. He needs to get fitter, more high-speed distance running.

"But he’s adapting to the English game again. We will keep working with him."

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