Peterborough United manager admits Barnsley handed out a footballing lesson at the ABAX Stadium

Posh were humbled 4-0 by the terrific Tykes after a display Evans described as ‘poor collectively and individually’.

Evans used three different formations during the game, but none worked against a Barnsley side who scored twice in each half.

Ivan Toney was used a sole striker at the start of the game with Jamie Walker just behind him. Walker was hauled off after 25 minutes.

Evans refused to use the failure of Toney to convert a penalty kick when it was still 0-0 as an excuse.

Posh remain second despite their heavy beating.

“Success is achieved over a long period and not every day will be a good day,” Evans stated. “And this was a particularly bad day for us.

“It was collectively poor and individually poor. We were way off it and if that happens against a side as good as Barnsley you will be punished.

“I have built a squad not just on good technique. I have built a squad that has great intensity, will press hard all over the pitch and will get in people’s faces. None of that happened today and we paid the price.

“We had good players on the pitch. I believe we picked the right team. I wanted to play with a number 10 and Jamie is a natural there, but he didn’t look it today so I changed it.

“But no-one can be protected from that performance. Matty Godden came on early enough to miss two chances and he missed a good one at Sunderland in the last game so let’s not blame the selection.

“We didn’t press them high enough up the pitch. We gave them too much space in which to play and they did it very effectively.

“I tipped Barnsley to be strong contenders for the title at the start of the season. They only lost one player from a Championship season and they’ve recruited well.

“They were good today. They handed out a lesson at times, but I will not lose faith with my squad based on one performance.

“I won’t be making seven or eight changes for the next game. Our response will be to knuckle down on Monday morning and work hard to be ready to win the next game.

“There’s nothing else I can say to the fans. I am as low as they will be. I am low after we draw games.

“But we will bounce back. No one could say the players stopped trying, but the harder we worked the worse we seemed to play.

“We are still second in the table, but I’m interested in that right now. We will go up or not based on our performances over a long period of time. It doesn’t matter where we are now.”

Winger Marcus Maddison limped out of the match in the second half. His fitness will be assessed tomorrow.

Posh host Brighton Under 21s in a Checkatrade Trophy tie at the ABAX Stadium on Tuesday (October 9) before returning to League One action at Scunthorpe on Saturday (October 13).