New-boy Kennedy's warning
Barnsley’s latest recruit, Tom Kennedy, gave his thoughts to the press on his new club and Saturday’s home clash with Ipswich Town.
“You couldn't as for much more on my début with the performance from the lads and the score-line,” said Kennedy. “I thought the boys were fantastic from start to finish and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It was the strangest atmosphere (in the dressing room) I’ve ever been involved in to be honest! It wasn’t really ‘shellshock’ because the way we played first half, and from the games I’d watched the lads in before, I honestly thought it was coming. I thought some team would get the brunt of it. We gave each other a round of applause at the end of the game. It was a collective effort we thought we’d pat ourselves on the back. But the gaffer said don’t get carried away with it because we’ve got two big games coming up and we don’t want it to go to waste.
“It’s obviously strange to go and play right-back but I’ve played there before for the gaffer. It’s not something I am daunted by. I enjoyed the way the boys played in keeping the ball and I enjoyed my début.
“I find it’s more right-back goes to left-back than left-back go to right-back, but I’m just happy to play in the team, to be honest.
“I know Keith and Flicker very, very well from my time at Rochdale. They gave me an opportunity just to come down and train, that’s all it was. But with us both being impressed with each other, it’s worked out for the best.
“As soon as I started training it reminded me of how it used to be at Rochdale – the togetherness and willingness to work for each other. I know it’s only a short-term deal but for me, it’s worth it.
“I’d like to think my game has evolved since League Two football, being at Leicester and Peterborough a lot of emphasis is placed on keeping the ball and moving the ball quickly.
“This league will bite you in the bum straight away. If you turn up on a Saturday and don’t give what you should give, it becomes a struggle. If we stay together and give, we can get a result from most games. The work carries on on the training ground.
“You cannot take any team for granted in this league. No game is an easy game.”
