BARNSLEY’S defending has ‘improved massively’ this season says Josh Earl who believes they are close to more of the elusive clean sheets they have been chasing.
The Reds have only kept one clean sheet in nine league games this season, at Peterborough United in August, while they are yet to keep one at home in all competitions in the 13 games since Conor Hourihane took over from Darrell Clarke in March.
Earl, who has been playing left centre-back in a back four, is the only outfielder who has played every minute of league action for the Reds this season.
Speaking after Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Port Vale, Earl told the Chronicle: “I think defensively we’ve improved massively.
“I know saying that after we conceded two sloppy goals sounds a bit ironic.
“As a team and a back four, we’ve started to really gel together.
“We’ve been working a lot with the coaches and I think, slowly but surely, we’re getting there.
“We deserved a clean sheet at Blackpool (a last-minute loss last week) and all defended absolutely brilliantly.
“Hopefully it will click soon and we put it all together and get a clean sheet then go on from there.”
Barnsley were third after seven games but have dropped out of the play-off places following back to back league losses.
Earl said: “You have got to find a neutral line between getting too high and too low.
“One minute we’re the best team ever and next minute we’re the worst team ever. That’s what Conor said in the dressing room.
“We just have to find that balance.
“I’ve got that balance. I know if I have a bad or good game but I still train properly and don’t let it get to me.
“We just have to bounce back and go again.”
Barnsley have only had one shot on target in their last two league games.
Earl said: “Sometimes you have a little blip.
“It’s going to happen to everyone in League One this season. No one is going to win every game.
“We’ve got great attacking players, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Didzy (David McGoldrick), Phillo (Adam Phillips), Caylan (Vickers) and then Reyes (Cleary) and Neil (Farrugia) coming off the bench.
“If they are not at the races like they weren’t on Saturday potentially then they will be next week and it’s absolutely fine.
“We’ve not created a lot going forward but we’re not blaming anyone, because the defence has conceded sloppy goals.”
Asked about his own performances this season, Earl said: “I am enjoying playing under the gaffer. I think we’ve played some really, really good football at times this season. We just need to push on now.
“I think defensively I have improved a little bit this season and I just need to get both aspects of my game together now.
“I don’t want the defensive side of my game to take over me on the ball because I think that is one of my strengths.
“I just need to put it all together.”
