Daniel Stendel has apologised to the Barnsley supporters after they lost their 29-game unbeaten home run with a 3-1 defeat to Luton Town.
The visitors went 3-0 up after 31 minutes then Mallik Wilks replied late on. Head coach Stendel said: “In the name of my team we need to apologise for the first half. The supporters can expect more from us, especially in the home game. It was important that the fans could see the players reacted in the second half and they believed in us and they supported us. I would like to thank the fans for that.
“I think it was the worst case that could happen to us. It was a big chance for us to take a second three points of the season, but our start was so bad with two goals for Luton after five minutes. The goals were more ‘own goals’ than goals by Luton.
“You could see the players were very insecure when we went 3-0 down. We tried to change the feeling for the players on the pitch but, in the end, only the players can change their performance.
“We worked very well after the game on Tuesday (a loss at Birmingham City) to be prepared for this game and the atmosphere was very good yesterday and before the game today. But the start was not good and you cannot play like this in the Championship - that is the big thing we learn today.
“We are all very disappointed. You learn the most things in the worst situation and today was the worst situation. This is our team, our squad and our situation and next week is another game.”
On the end of the unbeaten home run which began in March last year and lasted almost 18 months, Stendel said: “The good thing is that one series has finished and the next can start.”
Jordan Green, who came on at the break, said: “Obviously we’re down. It’s the first time we have lost at home in a year and half so we’re not happy about it. But we just have to bounce back as soon as we can. It’s a tough league, we know that.
“It was an uphill battle after the first five minutes and it was always going to be tough to grind out a result against a good team. I was on the bench and it didn’t look like a couple of people were switched on but we have to learn from it and move on. It wasn’t good enough but every one knows that and it’s all about going again.”
Stendel brought off defenders Mads Andersen and Dani Pinillos at half-time for Ben Williams and Green. He said: “After the first half we could change 11 players but we wanted more power and speed on the wings and both the players who came on played well. I don’t mean that two players who were substituted were at fault for the first half.
“The second half was better. We created some chances. We need to come back to you best performances. Every player has time to show me he can play at Wigan.”
Centre-back Bambo Diaby came off injured in the second half while goalkeeper Sami Radlinger also picked up an injury late on. Stendel said: “Bambo looked not good. I think he needs a scan, the same for Sami. But the first feeling is it could be a bad injury.”
