Reds boss Morais defends changes in Forest loss

Barnsley boss Jose Morais admitted his mind-boggling team changes against Nottingham Forest were forced because his players were 'tired'.
Tykes manager Jose Morais. Picture Tony Johnson.Tykes manager Jose Morais. Picture Tony Johnson.
Tykes manager Jose Morais. Picture Tony Johnson.

The Reds selection policy has confused players and fans since the Portuguese manager came to Oakwell in February.

Wholesale changes have become a common theme, which is understood to have angered players in the camp.

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And Morais made six for the “must-win” game in hand on Tuesday night.

Goalkeeper Jack Walton came in for his debut, whilst there was a shake up in the defence with three swaps.

Captain Andy Yiadom and fellow full-back Zeki Fryers were not even included in the match-day squad for arguably the biggest game of the club’s campaign.

However, Morais, pictured, defended his decision and said: “We made changes because the team can’t arrive to a high-tempo game like this tired.

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“Players are playing one game, two games and I felt that the players were tired so I made changes.

“This is it, I felt it was the best for the team.

“They [Fryers and Yiadom] didn’t come and I want to talk about players who did.

“I didn’t select them, they were resting and they have to rest for the next game.

“The other players that weren’t here played in other games and we couldn’t win.

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“I did what I felt was the right thing and I still think it was the right thing to do

“The opponent also made many changes

“Kieffer Moore is someone who is playing regularly and so is George Moncur so really it’s not six changes.”

Walton was the standout Reds’ performer despite being thrown in at the deep end of a relegation dog fight.

The young gun made a string of fine saves and stopped the hosts running away with proceedings.

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Morais reflected: “I’m was happy for Jack and he did what he needed to do.

“My belief is the other players who came in could have played as well as Jack did.

“We weren’t aggressive enough in the first half and that was disappointing.”