You might think that being fifth in the table, seven points clear of the team below you is a good position to be in as the end of the season rumbles around.
If you’re Lincoln, Oxford or maybe Blackpool, it would be. However, Barnsley fans are seemingly not a happy bunch as they hunt a return to the Championship after two seasons in the third tier.
It’s not been a happy Easter for Tyles so far. They didn’t have a good Friday as they went down 2-0 to Cambridge United, their second defeat in five matches. However, after a 0-0 draw with Cheltenham, and the 5-1 mauling handed out by Lincoln City at Oakwell, fans are beginning to turn on manager Neil Collins.
The 40-year-old replaced Michael Duff at the beginning of the season and opened his account as boss with a 7-0 win against Port Vale. Since then, the Tykes have kept a promotion push going, and they’re almost certain to be in the top six at the end of the season.
However, that isn’t enough for some supporters. The club have posted on social media today, eager to drum up some support for their final seven matches. They’ve got some tough fixtures; Portsmouth, Blackpool, Charlton and Stevenage all stand between Collins and the season’s final day, and the club claims they need the fan’s support to get over the line.
However, judging by some of the replies to that Tweet, support is something that is wavering amongst the fanbase. Two of the posts suggest that the club needs to ‘get rid’ of Collins if they’re going to move forward, and whilst other posts aren’t quite as forthright, there’s definitely a certain mood amongst a selection of the fanbase that won’t help them once they do commence their play-off semi-final matches.
We’re dropping out of play offs based on that run in
— Harry Gilbank (@Harry_gilbank) March 31, 2024
We need a manager who can inspire the players and play some more direct attacking football, cheers
— luke🦡 (@lukastyke) March 31, 2024
Well at least most of them are away games so we might actually win a fee
— shush (@de45a67) March 31, 2024
Let’s hope the team want to play for their shirts.. every interview is someone blaming someone else.. chemistry on the pitch needs sorting
— Simon Pendlebury (@SPendle17) March 31, 2024
You don’t deserve the fans. Get rid of Negative Neil.
— CW (@CWReds87) March 31, 2024
Thank god there’s only two home games left.
— Ali (@AJLimb91) March 31, 2024
Get rid of the dull manager the guy hasn’t a plan A let alone a plan B
— John James (@John170277) March 31, 2024
Tell the manager to win games you need to shoot not passing sideways boring football
— mark cook (@markcoo59787973) March 31, 2024