With his home debut on the horizon, Marley Watkins caught up with the media about stepping out onto the Oakwell turf for the first time this season.
“I’m buzzing for the game," he said. "The fans seem quality and there is a good atmosphere at the club. It’s a big club and that’s what it’s all about, playing in-front of proper football fans - so I’m excited.
“We’re still getting used to learning each other’s game because we’re new but there are positive signs and we linked up well, we just need to be more clinical.
“It’s been really enjoyable. We have a good set of lads and are playing some exciting stuff so I’m really enjoying it."
Marley made his debut against Chesterfield last weekend and was given his first start for the Reds against Scunthorpe in Tuesday’s League Cup tie.
“In spells we played really well against Chesterfield," he continued. "I thought we were going to win it comfortably at the start but I think in the second-half we dropped deeper and deeper.
“I think we’re a strong-minded squad and have good character, it was just one of those games with two soft goals to lose us the game so maybe it was more about that than dropping deeper.
“There are definitely positive signs. We played some good quality stuff and should have killed the game off. I should have taken my chances and been more clinical, but overall we were really positive."
Watkins has played as a winger and a striker and knows he will have to fight for a starting place with competition rife in the squad.
“I started off as a winger but changed last season to striker after ours got sold," he added. "I feel there’s more freedom to get on the ball up there and I have goals in me.
“Competition is a helpful thing, it makes you want to push yourself or there will be someone else waiting to take your spot.”
