JACK Shepherd called Barnsley’s late collapse at Wycombe Wanderers ‘so so frustrating’ but will now try to switch his focus to the short trip to his former club Bradford City at the other side of the current international break.
Shepherd was part of the Reds team which conceded twice late on in a 2-2 draw, continuing a theme of letting in late goals this season.
He called the ending of the game ‘stupid’ and ‘depressing’ and added: ‘there’s not much I can say that I would get away with.’
The Reds have kept just one clean sheet all season.
Shepherd told the Chronicle: “As stupid as it sounds, for 85 minutes the back four and everyone deserved a clean sheet at Wycombe.
“We defended well, from the front as well. But a game of football isn’t 85 minutes long.
“You have to stay concentrated until the final whistle and we haven’t done that. It’s come back to bite us.
“We just have to learn from it.
“I would have liked to have kept more clean sheets.
“We have had chances to do that but collectively it just hasn’t been there.”
Barnsley conceded the first on goal 88 minutes then another in the third minute of injury-time.
Shepherd said: “We could have reacted better to the first goal. It brings all the pressure on. If it doesn’t go in, it’s a comfortable 2-0 win.
“It invites pressure and it’s sloppy.
“The goals have killed us and it’s so, so frustrating. The last five minutes were very very disappointing.”
Shepherd has started every game this season, other than when he was suspended for one match following his opening day red card at Plymouth and last week’s EFL Trophy match at Notts County.
“I feel I’ve done OK. There are things I know I need to improve on and I’ll try to do that in training. I am playing so I am happy and I am willing to learn.”
Shepherd spent last season on loan to Bradford City, starring in their promotion from League Two.
The Bantams are currently second in League One.
Barnsley visit Valley Parade in their next game on October 18.
“I am looking forward to it. It will be nice to go back there. It was a good club for me last year.
“It’s a good game to have, a derby against a team doing really well.
“We will prepare really well in the break and have no excuses going into it.”
