Johnson upbeat despite defeat

The Reds held their own in the first half, with all the goals coming after the break, and Johnson said he was pleased with certain aspects of his side's play.

"I was well pleased with the game," Johnson told the club's official website. "I thought it was brilliant. We got the lessons that we needed and we did all right in patches.

"It showed what we already know, but why I was pleased, but not pleased with the defeat, is we know that they (Boro) are the Premier League's 23rd team, if you like."

Barnsley's summer signings Alfie Mawson, Ben Pearson, Joe Rothwell, Marley Watkins and Conor Wilkinson all started the match.

"I thought we looked quite compact and solid in the first half, so I was pleased with that," Johnson added.

"Generally, I'm delighted with it as an exercise but people have got to remember - don't panic because we've got some good players to come back into that."