“Michael Duff clearly” – Barnsley urged to consider Darrell Clarke future after Huddersfield Town defeat
Saturday’s defeat to Huddersfield Town leaves Barnsley’s play-off dreams as slender as they have been all season under Darrell Clarke – now seven points from the top six after five defeats in their last six.
The Tykes were unable to keep hold of their lead after heading into the break one goal to the good after Jon Russell’s opening around the quarter-hour, with two goals in as many minutes turning the game on its head around the hour mark, with Town running out 2-1 winners at the final whistle.
With just four goals scored during their wretched run of form, the Oakwell outfit have gone from contenders for the top six to also-rans within the space of a month, with the mood turning toxic at the final whistle at the weekend.
As hope continues to drain from most associated with the club, we asked Football League World’s Barnsley fan pundit Andy Symcox to give us his view on things at his football club right now, and whether Clarke is the right man for the job.
Darrell Clarke future questioned after Barnsley run of form
A return of one point from a possible 18 has left Barnsley festering in mid-table as we head into the final third of the season, with the side unable to find any sort of momentum when they needed it the most.
The Yorkshire side were on a run of four straight victories before they came crashing down 3-1 to Bristol Rovers in the middle of January, and have been unable to arrest the slide ever since, with defeats to Stevenage, Wycombe, Stockport and Huddersfield adding to their woes, while a goalless draw with Burton Albion saw them earn a single point.
As former boss Michael Duff returned to Oakwell and took home all three points at the weekend, there would have been plenty of a red persuasion pining for their old boss’s passion on the sidelines as their side surrendered a one-goal advantage on Saturday, in a performance that left Symcox questioning their current man in the dugout.
When asked about Clarke’s future, the Tykes fan said: “I am in a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, I don’t think he was properly backed in the January transfer window.
“It was clear to the vast majority of fans that we needed a proven, experienced striker, and although some of the window’s signings appear sound, this was clearly not the case as we have signed two unproven strikers/ wingers, and for me that is insufficient.
“We have lost four on the trot and five of the last six, as well as a no-score bore draw. On the basis of the last game against Huddersfield, it was all there to play for.
