NEILL Collins sees traits of ‘Fergie time’ in his Barnsley team’s late comebacks this week but admits it is on him to work out how to stop the early goals which could hinder their promotion push.
The Reds are fourth in League One, four points clear in the top six, six off the top two and ten behind the leaders Portsmouth, who have played two extra games.
They have lost just two of their last 21 league games but only won one of the most recent four.
They won 2-1 at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday – scoring on 88 and 95 minutes – then netted an injury-time penalty in a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.
Now they are due to visit relegation-battlers Fleetwood Town tomorrow.
After the late finishes in both Barnsley’s matches this week, head coach Collins told the Chronicle: “You do start thinking, in both games, it’s not going to be our day.
“So to have four points is great.
“But it’s not daylight robbery, it should have been six based on performances.
“Alex Ferguson said Man United were never beaten, they just ran out of time and this team has embodied that this year.
“I think teams know that, which is good psychologically because at times they expect it.”
While Barnsley are finishing games strongly, they are beginning them badly.
No side has conceded more goals in the first 15 minutes of League One games this season than the Reds who have fallen behind in the opening 20 minutes in four of their last six.
Collins said: “We need to have a look at it.
“Is it a personnel thing? Is it a mentality thing?
“Maybe we need to make better decisions early in the games.
“It’s up to us as a staff to find the solution and, if we do, we will be a top team.”
Collins knows, with at least five teams in contention for the top two going into the final two months, fine margins could decide who goes up automatically.
He told the Chronicle: “There will be a lot of factors coming into play.
“Keeping people fit and getting players back fit is a big one.
“Josh Benson (returning from injury) will be like a new signing for us, scoring goals and playing multiple positions.
“If we get Donovan (Pines) up to speed, those are two big new additions on top of a very good squad.
“Consistency and level-headedness are key at this time of the year, and getting results when not at your best.
“There will be lots of ups and downs until the end of the season, other teams will pick up points on us or lose points.
“It will be like that every week.
“But we know what we have to do to get where we want to be.”
Does Collins enjoy chasing down the top two?
“I would like to be top, of course.
“We have two games in hand on Portsmouth which mean nothing until we win them.
“We can all get better as a team and individuals and, if we do that, we have a chance of catching these guys.”
After tomorrow’s game, Barnsley are due to finish their February fixtures – which have so far brought two draws and a win – at home to fellow promotion-chasers Derby County.
