Reds boss Keith Hill has apologised to Barnsley’s supporters after his team were thrashed 5-1 at Brighton on Saturday.
Goalkeeper David Gonzalez – playing against his former club – gifted the home side the first two goals before a calamity of defensive errors allowed the Seagulls to notch a further three.
Young full-back John Stones was given the run-around by Brighton’s left-side pairing of Craig Noone and Wayne Bridge, and the 18-year-old was lucky not to be sent off in the first half when he hacked down Noone when already on a yellow card.
The Reds showed some neat glimpses in midfield through Tomasz Cwyka and Jacob Mellis but only carved out one decent attempt on goal as Cywka shot from 25 yards but saw his effort tipped wide by fellow Pole Tomasz Kuszczak.
A dejected Hill, who spent most of the game sat motionless in the away dugout as his side were swept away, admitted afterwards that the performance was ‘inept’.
“I apologise to the supporters who came down here with lots of optimism,” he said.
“It’s a difficult day for me as a manager and I’m hurting. It’s a day to stand up and be accountable for my position at the football club. Times like this can only make you stronger and you’ve got to look everybody in the eye and come out fighting.
“We witnessed a team of players representing Barnsley Football Club that made every mistake in the book. That hindered our progress and gave a very good Brighton side every opportunity to go on and win the game in the manner that they did.
“I’m down… but I’m certainly not out.”
