Barnsley boss Struber admits Tykes failed to deal with a 'physical' Luton

Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber felt his side failed to deal with the Hatters’ aggression during their 1-0 defeat at Oakwell on Saturday.

The hosts went into the contest on the back of a superb run of league form that had seen them ensure Championship survival on the final day.

But despite a run of five games without defeat at home, not conceding a goal either, the Tykes struggled to ever impose themselves on Town, falling to a James Collins cracker with 18 minutes remaining.

Struber told the club’s official website: “I was expecting a very difficult game, especially from the physical side – the aggression from the opponent was not helpful for us.

“In the second half, we lost our game style on the ball and this was, in the end, the issue that the opponent had more momentum.

“I expect in every game a performance and bravery, and I think we didn’t have this in every situation; the big heart and bravery that you want to play football in the Championship.

“From the physical side, we always have a disadvantage – we have to play the ball very quick with good decisions and I could not see throughout the whole game my style, and this is, in the end, not helpful.

“The performance was not in the direction that I want and what I expect from my boys.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Jordan Williams also thought Barnsley struggled against what he felt was a direct Town display.

He added: “It was tough for us; they came here with a game plan and stuck to it.

“We need to stick to our game plan and play out from the back, but it was tough.

"We need to learn from the long balls and we’ll go again on Tuesday.”