Reds summer signing Tom Bradshaw spoke to the press earlier today as the team prepares to take on Queen’s Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship under the lights at Oakwell tomorrow night.
The former Walsall striker has enjoyed a good start to his Barnsley career, starting in all three games. He kicked the press conference off by giving his thoughts on the season so far.
“If you look at the teams we have played, Ipswich away is a tough game for any Championship side, let alone one which has just come up and is experiencing it again for the first time. Obviously Derby are always up and around the Play-Offs so it’s two very tough games but I think we’ve dealt with it really well, I thought we were unlucky against Ipswich, the way that we lost how we did and I actually thought it was a good performance. We improved on that for Derby and got the three points.”
Bradshaw has made the step up to the second tier of English football for the first time in his career, and the Welshman told the press that it’s a challenge he is savouring.
“I enjoy it.” He said. “I was speaking to my family over the weekend and I was saying that’s how you improve as a player and as a person, by testing yourself. It’s my first experience in the Championship and inevitably the defenders are of a higher standard, but that’s how you improve as a player and I’ll learn to adapt throughout the season, the ways where the defenders are weak and areas where I can score goals. I’ll always give 100% for the team”.
Bradshaw recognises that playing in the Championship requires a different approach, and feels that he is constantly learning from the Reds coaching staff.
“I think it’s more about being clever in the Championship, being more clever with your runs, knowing when to stand still, when to move, and I’m learning that off the Gaffer and Tommy and all the coaching staff every day. It’s just little ways to improve my game, and give my team mates an extra yard or an extra chance in the game. If I get chances in the game I’ll score goals, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Saturday’s win against Derby secured a first win of the season for the Reds and Bradshaw feels that it represents a big obstacle overcome.
“I’ve always said, the sooner you can get that first win on the board the better. Obviously it’s nice to do it in your first home game against a big club like Derby, I think it gives the players belief, it gives the coaches and fans just as much belief that we can go into the season fearing no one with full belief in our team, and that we can beat anyone on our day. It’s all confident in the camp.”
Tomorrow night’s opponents Queens Park Rangers have started their 2016/17 campaign with two consecutive victories, and the Reds frontman expects the R’s to provide another stern test.
“They are all tough games, and there’s a lot of local derbies this year as well which is something to look forward to. There’s no banker points this year and we’ve got to be at it every single week and every single game to make sure that we do ourselves justice and do as much as we can to get the win.
“Obviously they (QPR) are a big club and they were in the Premiership not too long ago. They are a big club at this level so undoubtedly they will be a good team tomorrow and we’ve just got to make sure that we’re ready to do ourselves justice and give them a tough game. It’s an exciting time for everyone at the Club so hopefully we can get the three points.”
Watch the full extended press conference with Tom Bradshaw over on Barnsley Player HD!
