Neill Collins said Barnsley’s 1-1 home draw with Wigan Athletic was a fair result and admits he could have made more changes to a side that looked ‘devoid of energy’ in the second half.
The Reds led 1-0 at the break through Devante Cole then conceded Jonny Smith’s superb 87th-minute free-kick.
Collins told the Chronicle: “We haven’t conceded many like that. It was a superb strike. Wigan created an excellent opportunity when Jordan (Williams) missed a clearance but, after that, despite having a lot of possession, they never threatened and didn’t have a shot on target. They got the goal and pushed us right to the end.
“It was frustrating not to get the win when we looked like we were going to see it out despite not being at our best. But we will take the point, and recognise it has been a really tough run of four games in ten days. A draw was probably a fair result.”
Collins said his side lacked energy after the break in the final game of a gruelling festive period.
“I thought we controlled the game relatively well in the first half, we wanted to continue that in the second half.
“After 60 or 65 minutes we looked devoid of energy. We looked at making changes but the players on the pitch had done really well over a number of games and we felt they had the know-how and experience to see it out.
"We felt that everyone was so full of confidence that we wanted them to go again. Maybe we could have freshened it up for this game.
"There isn’t a lot of evidence of how to approach four games in ten games. Maybe we will learn something."
Defender Jamie McCart added: “It was frustrating, especially when you’re leading for so long. A draw was probably fair. It’s an exceptional goal. We were good in the first half but have to be better in the second.
"Tiredness came into it. When you’re leading, there is added pressure and the other team can go gung ho.”
Barnsley have taken eight points from their four games over nine days across Christmas and New Year – winning the first two then drawing the next two.
Collins said: “Two points a game is a good barometer. Ten was our aim and we nearly got it with win at Peterborough. It’s been really positive overall.”
