Barnsley: Stockport County frustration shows Darrell Clarke still wrestling Neill Collins problem - View | OneFootball

Barnsley`s draw with Stockport County highlighted issues that had plagued previous manager, Neill Collins tenure.

Barnsley's disappointing home draw with Stockport County on Saturday evening highlighted the same issues which plagued Neill Collins' tenure, which now appear evident under Darrell Clarke's stewardship.

Despite taking the lead so early on, Barnsley failed to kick on and turn their early dominance into three points. The Tykes lacked a coherent plan in attack and appeared unable to manage the game, opting to drop deeper, defending a narrow lead for well over 70 minutes, much to the home fans' frustration. In dropping deeper, especially during the second half, Barnsley merely invited more pressure from a Stockport side that pressed all over the pitch.

Frantic start from Barnsley

Barnsley flew out of the traps in the first half and got their rewards when Adam Phillips converted a penalty which had been won by Davis Keillor-Dunn when clearly fouled by County's Tyler Onyango.

Phillips took his goal tally this season to five in eight appearances, but that's as good as it got for Barnsley, who failed to kick on and seize the initiative.

Issues Collins faced on show again at Barnsley

The Tykes did not appear to have any sort of plan going forward and failed to control the game despite taking the lead and being at home. This is reminiscent of games last season under the management of Neill Collins, who was often criticised for not having a Plan B during games nor being creative with his substitutions.

With a midfield that never got going with the likes of Luca Connell and Matty Craig failing to find their targets with their passing and a defence who were guilty of gifting the ball back to the opposition in dangerous areas, this merely invited County to apply more pressure.

Barnsley's forwards were once again starved of any real service from the likes of Phillips, Connell or the wing backs, Cotter and O`Keeffe, although the former did offer Barnsley more of a cutting edge, certainly in the first half.

During his post-match interview, Darrell Clarke highlighted his misfiring midfield as a key reason why his side failed to see out the victory. Time and again, the Barnsley engine room failed to stamp their authority on the game and provided very little service to the forwards.

Saturday's performance was crying out for a calming influence in the form of Conor Hourihane, whose experience may have calmed Barnsley down, gained possession and managed to deal with the Stockport press much better. The Tykes appear to be missing a trick in not having the Irishman available on the bench to come on and change games.

The Barnsley defence did a very good job of keeping Stockport's dangerous duo of Kyle Wooton and Louie Barry quiet for so long. Wooton rarely threatened and was eventually substituted on 75 minutes, but Barry was the one to haul Stockport level after 90 minutes.

Unfortunately, the Barnsley defence did not fare so well when in possession, with Mael De Gevigney and Josh Earl guilty on several occasions of poor passing, giving the ball to County in dangerous positions, something that has been repeated in a number of games this season.

Clarke's substitutions failed to impress

Despite making three substitutions early in the second half in an attempt to freshen his side up, Darrell Clarke's decision failed to ignite the Tykes, who continued to drop deeper and gift County possession.

Clarke explained afterward that Stephen Humphrys was short of match fitness, having had little to no pre-season and Keillor-Dunn had not trained much during the week, hence his decision to replace the pair at 58 minutes. Unfortunately, their replacements in Aiden Marsh and Sam Cosgrove made little to no impact as Barnsley continued to drop deeper as the game went on.

Whilst 14 points from the first eight games in Clarke's first season in charge is not a bad start for Barnsley, there has been evidence already this season of old issues of last season plaguing the Tykes.

Barnsley must be more dominant, certainly at home, where they have struggled to win and take hold of games rather than allowing the opposition to dictate possession and tempo. Some of Clarke's substitutions have failed to make a difference, a trait of previous manager Neill Collins.

Barnsley cannot afford to drop too many points early on this season if they want to stay in the play-off places. Old habits need to change if the Tykes are to have a chance of a promotion charge.