Post-Posh Pontifications! Thoughts and Opinions by Reds Report Ian!

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Barnsley manager Neill Collins will have learned more from his side's last two performances but can he rectify some key issues within the squad?

Last night's game was always going to be a real test of where Neill Collins`s Barnsley are. Coming up against a Peterborough side who managed to keep hold of their two key front men in Jonson Clarke-Harris and Ephron Mason-Clark this summer was a good acid test for the Reds. Keeping your best players is something the Barnsley board could learn a thing or two about and try to bring some stability to a squad for once.

Whilst some criticism has gone the way of manager Collins for how his side have reacted to going a goal up at Bristol Rovers on Saturday and last night, he cannot legislate for individual errors and poor performances all over the pitch.

Liam Kitching is having a stinker this season

Many supporters thought Kitching`s head had been turned by the bid from Championship side Coventry City recently but in truth, the defender has failed to live up to his usual standards so far this season.

In the first half against Port Vale, Kitching failed to deal with the Valiants number 9 who ran him ragged. Such was his poor start that Kitching made a blatant push on the striker in the penalty area that should have resulted in a penalty. Time and again this season Kitching has not got tight to the forward resulting in the opposition running at the defence who have back pedalled into trouble.

Last night he was culpable of a half hearted effort to stop the ball through to Clarke-Harris for the second goal, dangling a leg with no real conviction. Then when the ball fell to him in the Barnsley penalty area he dallied on the ball and was robbed by the impressive Poku who took the gift and buried the opportunity making it 1-3.

Time will tell if Kitching is still wearing the red of Barnsley come September. If he is, which is doubtful we all hope he can clear his head and retain those standards from last season.

Lack of pace apart from wingbacks

Barry Cotter and Nicky Cadden have been a threat this season, Cadden especially whipping in those crosses and a mean shot on him. Cotter to be fair demands the ball and tries to make things happen too.

Through the middle of the park, Barnsley are missing the spark of Luca Connell. He appears to be the glue that keeps the side together. Currently there appears no leader on the pitch, no one pulling everyone into place especially when under the cosh.

Jon Russell is too laboured. For such a big lad you would expect him to be dominating the opposition, but his passing is well off. That leaves too much for Herbie Kane to do alone as Callum Styles has either been marked out of games or struggled to ignite the reds also.

Kane doesn't have the pace to open sides up so the Reds are missing the legs of Connell in the heart of the side.

What to do with Max Watters?

Against Port Vale, Watters got very little service compared to Devante Cole. Yet in the next two league games the ex-Cardiff forward has looked well off the pace, maybe down to a lack of fitness?

For a big forward you would expect a real presence but defenders find it all too easy to shrug him off the ball. With so many strikers waiting their turn in the squad, maybe it is time to blood Dallas for 90 minutes or even throw in younger hungrier players like Fabio Jalo or Aiden Marsh?

Praise for Liam Roberts

Let us finish on a high. The form of Liam Roberts has been superb. Although his intended pass to Callum Styles was intercepted by a hungrier Peterborough player for the second goal, he has produced some saves that can be described as world class.

After losing both Brad Collins and Harry Isted in the summer, Barnsley have come up trumps with the loan signing of Roberts from Middlesbrough. Assured with the ball at his feet and not afraid to shout at the defence, Roberts has settled in well between the sticks for Barnsley.

Lopata looks a good signing

Although the defence has come in for some criticism, one player who has shone already is Lopata. Not afraid to put himself about, he already stands out in the back three. Whilst he still needs to form an understanding with those around him which will come with games, already supporters see another Mads Andersen in the new signing.

In Summary

Whilst individuals have let their standards drop recently, manager Neill Collins needs to change the sides mentality when going a goal up in games. At Bristol Rovers it was one way traffic for the home side after Cadden had put the Reds ahead in the 7th minute.

Against the Posh, instead of going for a second goal Barnsley appeared to drop deeper and deeper when 1-0 up which the opposition sensed and took full advantage of. Normally going ahead in games breeds confidence in a side, yet Barnsley appear to want to hold on to what they have and run out of ideas.

It will be interesting to see if Collins rolls the dice on Saturday and shuffles the pack against Oxford United giving other players a chance. Surely Watters and Russell`s positions in the starting eleven are under threat?

Four points from the first three games isn't the end of the world but there are some clear issues with the side that Collins must get to grips with and quickly.