Jack Shepherd admits he needs to ‘look at myself’ after poor decision-making in recent games while Barnsley are desperate to improve their defensive record.

The centre-back said he is ‘embarrassed’ and ‘ashamed’ that the Reds have kept the fewest clean sheets in English league football and conceded 72 goals this season in all competitions.

After Saturday’s game at Bolton, in which they went 3-0 down after 32 minutes, head coach Conor Hourihane said they will make changes to their defensive approach.

He told the Chronicle: “There have been changes this week. It’s more going back to basics.

“One thing I have tried to improve this year is my passing and being calm on the ball. But sometimes I have tried to pick out a pass when I probably could have cleared my lines. I need to look at myself, what I could have done better and what I can learn.”

He added: “We play good football and it’s strange to say but we defend quite well at times but it’s the mistakes that are the frustrating thing. We have had conversations on it and we have 19 games left. We have goals to achieve between now and then.”

Shepherd made an error for Bolton’s third goal after they had netted twice from set pieces. Barnsley pulled two back in the second half but lost 3-2.

“There was massive disappointment with the first half in Bolton.

I can only think about my own game and it was a poor showing from myself. We came out and did well in the second half but, in a way, it’s easy to do that when you’re 3-0 down and you have nothing to lose.”