LUCA Connell admits a performance like Barnsley’s thrashing at Port Vale in midweek ‘can’t happen again’.

A strong Reds side were beaten 5-0 in the EFL Trophy at League One’s bottom club.

Head coach Conor Hourihane said after the match that the players would have to ask themselves if they had prepared properly for the fixture.

Captain Connell told the Chronicle: “I know I definitely prepared for the game like I would for any game, and I am sure the lads would have.

“But we were playing Port Vale on a Tuesday night, not an easy place to go, and it’s in the cup not the league.

“Is there a slightly different mentality going into the game for some people?

“I don’t know.

“We’ve got to make sure it can’t happen again. It won’t happen in the trophy again but going into Saturday or any league game, we have to be prepared and go into the game ready.”

Under Hourihane, the Reds have been instructed to pass their way out of defence on swift counter-attacks, sometimes taking risks to open the opponents up.

Connell has been key to that and is in the top ten in League One for most passes, most accurate short passes and the most ‘key passes’ which lead to chances.

He said: “That’s probably one of the strong points.

“In a few of the games, if we connect the first pass on the edge of our box and be calm with it, it can set the forwards up to get the goals like they have been doing.

“Not every pass is going to be perfect, whether it’s from me, the centre halves or whoever it is.

“But the gaffer has told us if we concede a chance from playing like that, just make sure the reaction is there – sprint back and make sure you don’t concede, then do it again the next time.

“When we get it right, hopefully it can lead to a chance.”

Having been ill for much of the 2023/24 season, Connell has started every league match this campaign as well as the last three cup ties.

“If the gaffer wants me to play any game, I will be more than ready.

“I am enjoying playing while fit and healthy. After what happened a couple of years ago, that’s the main thing to me – I just want to play as many games as I can.”

Connell has reached the play-offs twice in his four years at Oakwell and is hoping for another top six finish.

“We just to find a bit more consistency. As soon as we do that we will be fine.

“We have the potential to be up there at the end but we have to focus, take every game as it comes and keep ticking off wins and points then see where it takes us in January or February then it’s the last push after that.”