Following our 2-1 defeat at Luton Town on Tuesday evening, Poya Asbaghi admits it was a game of two halves from the Reds.
A productive opening 45 saw Barnsley head in at the break deservedly level, with Carlton Morris’ lovely, dinked finish cancelling out Allan Campbell’s scrappy opener for the hosts.
However, the Hatters showed their play-off credentials after the interval and claimed all three points when Elijah Adebayo thumped home a penalty shortly before the hour mark, to which the Reds had no response.
“It was a game of two faces,” conceded Asbaghi. “First half, we played well; we started the game in a really good way – pressing high, winning the ball and creating chances. We had chances one versus one with the goalkeeper more than one time and didn’t even finish that attack, which is of course disappointing, but we were creating chances.
“They scored a little bit from nowhere with the corner. It was frustrating at the time, but we made our way back and found the equaliser – a wonderful goal from Morris.
“We came into half-time and thought we were the better team in the first half and that we definitely could go for the win. We came out and it was an even game, and it doesn’t take too long in the second half where we make an individual mistake that costs us a penalty and a goal, and when you’re 2-1 down, it’s tough.
“Opponents in this league are good at protecting a lead when there’s 30 minutes left. There were a lot of throw-ins and corners for them, a lot of time wasted with the ball being dead – honestly, we didn’t play too much football in the second half.
“Of course, we need to be better when we’re down, but the most important thing for us is to make sure when we have even games like this that we cannot give away the easy goals that we are doing too much.
“In the end, that’s something that we definitely need to improve.”
Up next for the Reds is another difficult assignment against Sky Bet Championship high-fliers Queens Park Rangers, who visit Oakwell currently sat in the top six.
Despite the R’s run of form, Asbaghi is hoping that his team can show their qualities and insists Barnsley shouldn’t fear anyone if they play to their capabilities.
“Right now, we just have to summarise this game and, of course, learn from our mistakes and know what we did good, then take a good look at QPR,” continued our Head Coach.
“It’s a tough game – most games here are tough – and I don’t see QPR being tougher than others even though they have good form. Luton had good form, but still, we didn’t look like a bottom team in the first half, if you ask me.
“So, I know, if we can do things right and do it for 90 minutes, then, as I’ve said before, there’s no opponent that should scare us that much.”
You can watch Poya’s post-match interview on iFollow Barnsley.
