Injury-time hero Adam Hammill spoke to the media post-match this evening..
The Reds fought back at Oakwell this afternoon against Bristol City with Adam Hammill coming off the bench to level the game up at 2-2 with an injury time strike. The ‘Scouse Magician’ felt the side dug in well in the second-half to snatch a deserved share of the spoils.
He said: “We dug in, we worked hard to get ourselves back in the game, deservedly in my opinion. I think we should have been two or three up in any case before they got back into it, but we showed character today, a determination and willingness not to lie down and be walked over.
“Other teams could have folded, but it was never say die today, 110% committed into pressing forward, keep playing our football which is what we did, putting them on the back foot. I thought the players today, to a man were terrific. A point was the least we deserved.”
It was often frantic and there was barely time to breathe out there, and Hammill believes that the Reds supporters really played their part in making it difficult for the visitors, in creating a really cracking atmosphere.
“The crowd were really up for it today” he said. “We got our just rewards, players, staff and supporters. Although there’s an argument for us winning it if I’m honest.”
It’s been an up and down season for Adam so far he reckons, he’s his biggest critic. But he feels that today could well be the kick-starter. As well as being satisfied with getting a result out of the game, he’s personally pleased with his own contribution.
“I’m personally delighted. I’ve been critical of myself recently, especially the last few games. So to come on today and prove to myself and everyone what I can do again, it’s good for me and hopefully will give me the confidence to push on.
“But the team too, it’s a massive boost to our confidence. We’ve got four points out of the last two games, two tough games. It’s onwards and upwards now. It’s about pressing as high up the league as we can, that’s what it’s all about this season.”
The Reds maestro believes he and the squad are capable of doing exactly that, pushing higher. He was also ecstatic to have scored another crucial goal in front of the Ponty End.
“It was a magical moment for me” he said. “A real great moment, an overriding, emotional moment. Like I say, I’m my biggest critic. So this gives me confidence, I’m sure I’ll push on now.
“The lads in the dressing room all get on, there’s no big timers here. We showed that again today by digging in. We fought right to the end for each other.”
Hammill spoke of his pride in seeing yet another young Reds debutant make his bow this afternoon at Oakwell. Midfielder Josh Kay was given his first Reds start in the absence of the suspended Conor Hourihane and Josh Scowen. Adam felt that the 19-year-old was excellent under the circumstances.
“I thought Josh was outstanding. For his first appearance, I think he deserves a massive amount of credit for how he did today. It’s great to have players capable of stepping up to the plate like that. And we can never be secure like that as players, thinking we are safe in getting picked.
“It’s happened to me, hasn’t it? And I’ve had to work hard in training to force my way into the manager’s thoughts again. I’ve had to regain his (Paul Heckingbottom’s) trust a little I suppose. It was one blip and I was disappointed in myself with how I reacted. But I hope somehow today I’ve gone some way to repairing that.”
You can see the full interview with Adam Hammill over on Barnsley Player HD.
