IT is unusual for a manager of a side in the top six to receive censure from fans in a game in April.
However, it’s also not unheard of in the realm of contemporary football.
Which brings us to Neill Collins. During the first half of Monday’s triumph against Burton Albion, some visiting supporters heckled the Barnsley manager.
The Reds fell behind at the interval, but they rallied for a valuable and well-deserved 3-1 victory after the break.
Collins has the thick skin to handle the criticism and is still philosophical about it four days later.
Having once been a fan himself, having supported Kilmarnock, he is likewise sensitive to the feelings of club supporters.
With two games remaining, Collins’ fifth-place team is eight points behind Derby County in second place. “Maybe, it’s a sign of the times that we (managers) come under pressure,” Collins said.
“However, we wouldn’t have it any other way; everyone wants to be in these positions, so it’s just part of the game. “I do believe social media heightens everything because, in my opinion, everyone has a voice and it probably carries more weight at times than it necessarily should. “A big thing for me is realising that supporters want the best for this club, but they also don’t always know what is going on inside the building. For instance, how were they to know that Adam Phillips and Macca (Joh
Upon first glance, I would have thought, “Why are they on the bench when they are talented players?”
“Nevertheless, you must make each of these choices. It’s about accepting that different people get different conclusions because we have access to a lot of knowledge that other people do not.
“They obviously can’t hear everything all the time; if they could, they would be more understanding.”
Collins says there are no new injury concerns for the trip to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Robbie Cundy was ruled out on Monday due to a minor hamstring injury, thus it is unlikely that he will play again.
