, “It didn’t work” – Steve Evans admits he got tactics and team selection wrong in Barnsley thrashing

“It didn’t work” – Steve Evans admits he got tactics and team selection wrong in Barnsley thrashing

Peterborough United were humbled by Barnsley in a 4-0 defeat in front of their home fans, and manager Steve Evans has accepted responsibility for the thrashing on Saturday.

Peterborough United continued their poor home form on Saturday, as they were on the end of their heaviest defeat of the season, losing 4-0 to a brilliant Barnsley.

The Posh still sit in 2nd place in League One behind leaders Portsmouth, but the chasing pack is closing in. Sunderland, Barnsley and Walsall are the sides chasing down Posh, with Doncaster Rovers sitting just behind them.

Striker Ivan Toney – Who saw a spot kick saved just before Barnsley went 1-0 up – posted a Tweet yesterday admitting that he and his teammates were disappointed with their performance.

https://twitter.com/ivantoney24/status/1048973319964438528

However, manager Steve Evans has admitted that he made errors with his team selection and tactics for the match against The Tykes.

He told the Peterborough Telegraph:

“I should have had more belief in what we are good at,” Evans stated.

“I should have backed my players to deliver within a 4–4-2 formation, but instead I tried to stop Barnsley playing. They have deep-lying midfielders who get on the ball and start attacks and I felt a formation with Jamie Walker playing off Ivan Toney would counter that.

“It didn’t work, but it didn’t help that the players also performed way below their normal levels.

“We had an excellent team meeting yesterday and to be fair to the players they tried to take the blame. They admitted they were way off the pace, but managers are there to be shot at when things go wrong.

“I drove into work today listening to callers to the radio criticising Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola so it’s clearly an occupational hazard.

“I normally watch the game back on a Saturday night, but I couldn’t face it. I watched it back yesterday instead and it wasn’t pretty against a very good Barnsley side.

“I am grateful though for having such a great chairman. He could have bashed me on Saturday night, but instead he spent 90 minutes on the phone lifting me up. He reminded me that only Portsmouth of the League One chairmen was happier than him right now.

“I will now be fielding a stronger side tomorrow than I did in the last Checkatrade game at MK Dons. Places are up for grabs for the League game at Scunthorpe on Saturday.

“We let the fans down on Saturday, but I’m confident of getting a big response at Scunthorpe.”

 

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