Conor Hourihane said he was ‘hurting a lot’ after an ‘embarrassing’ loss to relegated Shrewsbury Town in their final home game of the season.
The Reds went 2-0 down before Jon Russell replied late on.
Head coach Hourihane said: “I am hurting a lot. I am trying not to get too irate because we know where everything is and it’s pretty evident.
“I really wanted to go out on a high at home. I thought the lads would bring that to the table but it was disappointing.
“I know where club is at and people need to realise we are where at.”
Barnsley only won six home games all season. Hourihane said: “It’s not acceptable. I know it, the club does. It needs to improve and it won’t be for lack of trying.
“I was desperate for a good result, not for me, but for the fans and a bit of positivity. Without going too harsh, I am not too surprised by it.
“I told the Iads I was embarrassed and I hope they are. So much work goes not trying to get result. You put your faith them to perfume and it’s not been the case.”
Defender Marc Roberts said: “It’s disappointing and embarrassing. It sums up our season from top to bottom. We have to take responsibility.
“The home record is rubbish. In the past this place has been a tough to come, when I was here before.
“We have to get it back. I thought it was turning back a bit.
“We wanted to finish last game clinging onto something from the doom and gloom. It wasn’t to be so it’s very disappointing.”
On the game in general, Hourihane told the Chronicle: “We let in poor goals. We had a lot of the ball.
"The more the game went on they were always going to sit in. We didn’t have enough dribblers on the pitch against a low block. Barry tried and tried and tried but we were missing Fabs (Fabio Jalo) and Humps (Stephen Humphrys), who can take people on.
“We had to play our way in but it was difficult because they had bodies behind the ball which is their right credit to them. I told the lads it wouldn’t be an easy game. They were coming with a bit of freedom, nothing to lose and full credit to them. They did a job on us. We didn’t deserve to win.”
He added: “You have to have self pride. People had kids here and I told them to do the kids proud. In five or six years' time the pictures might be up in their home and if the kids ask what the score was make sure you can tell them you scored or you won. But it was a big no.”
On the summer ahead, Hourihane said: “I was hoping for a bit of a rest but the more the results go like this the less I am going to get I have to face up to that and try to put hours and hour and hours in. I know there will be changes. The people in the background have been brilliant.”
He added: “I have been given assurances. The support and backing and the relationship has been brilliant and I know it will be over the summer. It’s down to me to put it right but it won’t happen overnight. There has to be patience and step by step. Hopefully over pre-season start of next season we will see a lot of change on and off the pitch.”
