That game, coupled with the news of influential midfielder Anderson's shocking ligament injury has given even the most positive of Barnsley fans cause for concern.
So, after a dour 0-0 draw with QPR in midweek, what is needed is a South Yorkshire derby with most Reds fans most hated of rivals Sheffield Wednesday. A game for which ALL players involved should be a spicy derby, instead it was an absolute snore-a-thon, played out by two poor sides, mind you, it was poor conditions with a howling wind blowing through Oakwell.
The Reds looked most likely to open the door of Wednesday in the first half, with Jon Macken swivelling expertly and curling just wide. Spaniard Diego Leon flashed a shot wide and had another chance just before half time but he hit straight against Lee Grant.
Wednesday came closest in the first half, a deep Burton O'Brien free-kick hit Luke Steele and Richard Wood, from possibly three yards somehow contrived to head over.
Something needed to be said at half time and clearly it wasn't. The Reds began the better side again with Jamal Campbell-Ryce twisting and turning all over the place. He once got the ball on the right wing and dribbled all the way across to the left, before bringing it back towards the right and being charged down.
One thing that shone through was Wednesday's ability to TRY and con the referee into giving them penalties. Three times it happened. Wade Small tried his luck in the first half and was warned. He tried again minutes later and was rightly booked. Adam Bolder had obviously been taking Wade Small diving classes and tried to emulate his team-mate, ending up in another booking.
Jon Macken began faltering in the second half, his usual nous and quality touches went well and truly out the window and the game turned into a scrappy contest.
Daniel Nardiello, who played as he knows best, lazily - not looking like he was interested, not contesting headers or chasing down passes was summoned off and replaced by the woefully inept at this level, Kayode Odejayi.
Big Kay struck some fear into the Wednesday defenders but nothing to write home about with his flick ons going astray. Sheff Wed then began to play with sub Ben Sahar and Marcus Tudgay looking dangerous. Sahar let fly from distance but the talented Luke Steele kept him out.
Steele came down at the feet of big Showunmi to make a brilliant brave stop. He looked sound all game...who would doubt him?!?! Reds full-back Marciano van Homoet became a bit mistake prone after a good first half and the whole slick, passing movement was thrown into the water closet.
With just ten minutes left, the best chance of the game was wasted by man-of-the-match Stephen Foster. A deep cross by JCR evaded everyone and Foster ghosted in to head at goal. Keeper Lee Grant instinctively stuck out an arm and diverted the ball away.
Three minutes went up Rob Kozluk, looking to make a point against his old teams bitter rivals, flew in on Marcus Tudgay and planted his studs into his ankle to receive his second booking of the game, he misses the Blackpool trip on Tuesday night.
From the resulting free-kick Burton O'Brien let fly from 30 yards and the ball kissed the outside of Luke Steele's near post.
All in all, a pretty dire game marred by play-acting and the howling gale. To Sheff Wed's credit they put us under the cosh second half and their support was good. 6662 of 18267 ain't half bad but they were a lot quieter than I thought they'd be.
Never mind, another chance in three weeks to get one over on a Deedar team with Sheff United coming to town on the 22nd. For now, we need to concentrate on getting three points on the board before next week's epic cup clash with Chelsea.
Player Ratings
Luke Steele: He's a class keeper. We all doubted his signing but he looks quality. Made some fine stops yesterday marred by one fumbled cross. 8
Marciano van Homoet: Looked good first half but faltered second. He panicked a lot and put the ball into touch. 6
Lewin Nyatanga: Solid. Made a great divertion touch in the first half with Tudgay on the prowl. 8
Stephen Foster: Give this boy the captaincy. He is assured, calm and collective. He's like this every game, not like the Jekyll & Hyde mentality of Brian Howard. 8
Rob Kozluk: Saw red late on but I think he played pretty well. He made some great hard tackles and dealt with big Enoch well. 7
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Looked dangerous at times but nothing like the JCR we know. 6
Bobby Hassell: In his new adopted holding role. He'll have to get used to it with De Silva out for so long. Made some crunching challenges and looked OK to say he's a right back really. 7
Brian Howard: Powder puff. Thinking about next Satdy no doubt. Chickened out of tackles...come on skipper pull yer finger out!! 5
Diego Leon: Lacks pace. Don't know if he's not 100% fit but he's not that quick. His close control and skill staggers though. 6
Daniel Nardiello: Absolute and utter crap. He doesn't look interested half the time. Doesn't go up for headers and gives the defender a free clearance. 3
Jon Macken: I've said it before and I'll say it again. This guy has such incredible intelligence on the pitch. His touch is first class and he holds the ball up superbly. Unfortunately he faded out second half and his touch started letting him down. 6
Subs:
Kayode Odejayi (for Nardiello 54): He's big and he wins his headers very well. His first touch is absolutely dismal however, and he's starting to make a laughing stock out of himself. 5
Martin Devaney (for Leon 77): Made a run that worried Wednesday but ran it out. Maybe give a go from the start Mr Davey? 6
Michael Coulson (for Campbell-Ryce 83): Brought on about half an hour too late, should've been him instead of Kayode for Nardiello. Still played alright and did all he could to help the cause. 6
Unused: Ferenczi, Togwell.
Ref: Steve Tanner - Refereed the game well first half, kept a lid on things and rightly booked Small and Bolder for ridiculous dives. Wheels fell off in a big way in the second half though. 6
Man Of The Match: Steele, Nyatanga, Foster and Kozluk were the contenders. I would say Foster just because he is frighteningly consistent!