CAPTAIN Luca Connell said it ‘hurt’ to hear Barnsley fans singing that the players were not fit to wear the shirt and that heading towards a second mid-table finish in a row is ‘frustrating’.
Some of the home fans turned on the players and coaching staff following the 1-0 home loss to near neighbours Doncaster Rovers at the weekend.
Connell told the Chronicle: “It definitely hurts.
“They pay their hard-earned money and spend their Saturday afternoons watching us and they have the right to have an opinion.
“If that is their opinion they can vocalise it, no problem.”
Connell has been at Oakwell for four seasons, the first two of which saw them reach the League One play-offs then they came 12th last season and look set to finish in mid-table this time.
He said: “It’s frustrating.
“It’s definitely not what anybody wanted at the club.
“But sometimes these periods happen and it’s down to the club to try to change that from top to bottom.
“Everyone needs the right attitude and actions.
“We can still push this year but hopefully next year, mainly, we have to build momentum and go again.”
Barnsley have not been able to close the gap on the top six which, last week, was at ten points with nine games left.
Connell said: “There have been massive chances.
“It feels like every time we drop points, the teams above us drop points then when we win, they win.
“We still weren’t far off before Saturday and we’ll keep pushing and see where we are after the nine games.”
Saturday’s match was a dull contest settled by a second half penalty.
“It was frustrating.
“It adds a bit of tension when it’s a Yorkshire derby.
“We wanted to get more from the game but, when you start slowly like we did, you can’t make excuses and you don’t deserve to get the three points.
“It was quite end to end but there were not many chances. We want to create more chances when we can and excite the fans but we couldn’t.”
The game was Barnsley’s seventh in 21 days. Connell said: “Tiredness is 100 per cent a factor. It’s reality but you can’t make excuses.
“Everyone has got to play 46 games no matter how they come. Ours have been relentless but we have to get on with it.
“Games come thick and fast and sometimes, if you build momentum, that can work for you. But if you’re in a sticky patch, it can go against you.
“We will just work now to make sure we can put things right and build a bit of momentum.
“I am definitely looking forward to a few days off, the lads and staff are ready for it. It will be nice to have a break and hopefully come back recharged.”
