Reds defender Peter Ramage hailed the side's young players for their effort on Saturday, despite defeat to Premier League-chasers Middlesbrough.
The Reds slipped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Boro in the FA Cup Third Round, as seven Academy graduates and scholars featured in the 18-man squad.
“It’s a guide for the boys to see where they’re at," Ramage told Barnsley Player. "They acquitted themselves well. We’ve got a lot of young players who maybe have aspirations to get to that next level. I know myself what it takes and it was an eye-opener for a few today to see what it takes to be a Championship player."
Both goals came in the second half but the finishing touch was lacking for the home side. “We acquitted ourselves alright,” he added.
“We’re disappointed with the goals we conceded.
“We know that Boro had a few chances and they were always going to have that with the extra quality that they had.
“That was the difference between the two sides. They had the extra quality in the final third. That’s not a criticism. I’m not criticising the players in front of me - it’s a team thing.
“I think the manner of the defeat has disappointed the lads but we dust ourselves down and go again in preparation for a big game on Saturday.”
