Paul Heckingbottom admits his Barnsley team's loss at Brighton on Saturday was the first time they have really underperformed this season.
The Reds went down 2-0 at the Amex Stadium, failing to score for the first time this season. Head coach Heckingbottom said: "We didn't really give ourselves a chance. It's the first time that we performed below par as a collective. We got better as we went on but the game went away from us with the second goal. You have to learn from these games and keep improving.
"We're disappointed. We started poorly and took a long, long time to get going against a good side. We didn't really give ourselves a chance. We weren't as a good with the ball as we usually are. We didn't keep it for long enough or pass it quick enough and we didn't have the same intensity and energy.
"We know we have to be at our best to win games in this league, and even then it might not be good enough. But we weren't at our best and we have come unstuck against a very good side. We were missing a little zip in our game."
Captain Conor Hourihane agreed that the Reds were not at their best. He said: "It was a tough and frustrating day. They are a good side who will definitely be up there at the end of the season.
"We were lacking energy, which we normally have. If you give good players time they will hurt you. In the last 20 minutes we passed the ball better and created some chances. We will always try until the end. We'll dust ourselves down and go back to the drawing board."
Both Heckingbottom and Hourihane said the free-kick was led to the second goal was harsh. Heckingbottom was disappointed with the timing of that goal three minutes after the break and also the defending for the counter-attack first goal which he said was 'criminal.'
Heckingbottom also confirmed that loan signing Saidy Janko is out with a thigh tear.
