JUNK SCHOPP

Barnsley manager on the brink as angry fans tell him it’s time to sling his hook

BARNSLEY

Cole 78, Leya Iseka 82 SHEFFIELD UNITED

72

Mousset 51, 53,

ROSS HEPPENSTALL MARKUS SCHOPP is on the brink at Barnsley after copping vicious abuse from his own fans during this latest horror show.

The 47-year-old Austrian (top) was appointed in the summer after Valerien Ismael jumped ship for West Brom but his reign has proved disastrous.

Barnsley have won only once all season and defeat here marked a sixth straight loss – extending their winless run to

12 games and leaving them second-bottom.

Asked if he expected to be in charge for Saturday’s game at Bristol City, Schopp said: “I am right now the coach of Barnsley.

“I will do everything to prepare the lads in the best possible way for the next game. I know I am responsible for this situation and I understand the reaction but I’m trying to find solutions.”

After a goalless first half, Sheffield United upped the tempo with two goals in three minutes shortly after the interval.

Frenchman Lys Mousset was United’s two-goal hero, firing in a brilliant 51st–minute opener from 20 yards that sparked wild celebrations in the away end.

Two minutes later, Mousset struck again, this time tapping home Ben Osborn’s cross from six yards. After Osborn added a third (below), firing home a wellplaced shot from George Baldock’s cross, Barnsley somehow roused themselves. A late fightback saw subs Devante Cole and Aaron Leya Iseka find the net for the Tykes.

Tellingly, Schopp steered clear of the Barnsley supporters at the final whistle, explaining: “I wanted to go to the fans but I had a feeling they were clapping with the players and I didn’t want to disturb this.”

Schopp surely cannot survive this – the Barnsley fans called repeatedly for his head during the game, chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and “Markus, time to go.”

There was talk beforehand among some locals that Barnsley were too good to go down. On this evidence, they are too bad to stay up.

This wasn’t a performance - it was a suicide note, and against a United side who have hardly set the Championship alight this season.

Blades manager Slavisa Jokanovic (left) said: “I have to be satisfied because we have three more points but we could have scored more.”

On Mousset, Jokanovic, added: “He played with a lot of concentration and quality, but I believe he has huge room for improvement.”