Head coach Lee Johnson admits the Barnsley fans are still unsure about him but says he will win them over, starting with victory against high-flying Gillingham at Oakwell tomorrow.
The Reds are two points off the top six after picking up 11 from eight games but were booed at the final whistle on Saturday by some supporters following the 1-1 draw at League One bottom club Blackpool. Johnson told the Chronicle: "I think the fans are not quite sure about us yet and they are still wondering how we are going to play. They see some great bits and they see some bits which make them want more from us.
"There has been a shift in culture from what they're used to. They're now seeing all these technical, gifted, quick-footed, little players who dart around and get a lot of the ball instead of playing it into the box every time they get it.
"The fans have been very good to me generally in my tenure. They appreciate we are still a work in progress. I get loads and loads of positive comments. Anyone I meet says they see what I'm trying to do.
"It depends what you're after when you come to watch a game. People want results but we've got to build to that. Sometimes people need to start enjoying the good parts of our play which are the passing, the moving, the rotations and the two-versus-ones that we create. "ventually we'll start shifting that into goals.
"I believe that the results will come. It's not like they haven't been coming because we got four points in two games."
Johnson was asked about accusations from fans that his side played negatively. He said: "There's nothing negative about the way we're playing. We're trying to get numbers in the box. I was reading some stats about my tenure (at Barnsley) and it's right up there with the half decent managers of the past in terms of goals scored, conceded, clean sheets and win percentage.
"We don't set up to be negative. We're trying to find the right blend. You set up a game to win. With our group, at this moment in time, I believe our best opportunity of winning a game is to play three in midfield. We can't play a 4-4-2 very well because we haven't got natural central midfielders that can deal with the different scenarios that appear in the 4-4-2. "When we have gone 4-4-2, we've been quite exposed and we have conceded.
"You're going in with a completely new group, a really young group and they're learning as they go. It's not an excuse, it's a fact. They will be up and down. We (the coaching staff) get more frustrated than anyone because we put in so many hours. There's no stone unturned and I don't think we've been negative at all. We've tried to take the ball in every game apart from Swindon."
The Reds boss said he was surprised to hear the fans boo his substitution of Sam Winnall for Michael Smith at Blackpool."I took Sam off because he wasn't having a great game. I felt the disgruntlement. I was quite shocked because he wasn't effective as he normally is."
Tomorrow's opponents Gillingham had a similar 2014/15 season to Barnsley in that they brought in a new manager, Justin Edinburgh, halfway through the campaign then good form under him put them into contention for the play-offs before they fell away. The Gills eventually finished 12th, one place behind the Reds on goal difference but they have started the better of the two clubs this season.
They were top until their first loss of the league season, 2-1 at Colchester United on Saturday, which saw them drop to third below Burton Albion and Walsall.Edinburgh’s side are still six points ahead of 11th-placed Barnsley who they have a very poor recent record against. The Reds have won all of the last five meetings between the sides – scoring 13 and letting in just two – including a 4-1 thrashing at Oakwell in August 2014 and a 1-0 February win at the Priestfield Stadium which was head coach Lee Johnson’s first match. Gillingham have won six of their 28 games against Barnsley, losing 13, and have only triumphed once at Oakwell which was in 1968.
Reds head coach Lee Johnson said of the Gills: “They’ve had a good start and it’s another classic case of a group that’s been together for a while and knows each other’s individual games. “They’ve been solid and scored a few goals. They’re a good side but we’re at home and we’re going to take the game to them.”
Barnsley striker Simeon Jackson netted 42 goals in 115 games for Gillingham including the winner in the 2009 League Two play-off final against Shrewsbury.Arsenal loanee Dan Crowley is likely to be back in contention after training yesterday but Ryan Williams is a doubt as he continues to feel pain in his groin.
