After making his Oakwell debut for the Reds, Callum Evans spoke to the media.
The result wasn’t what Evans wanted after making his first league start for the side, however, he feels better for the experience.
Evans said, “I thought it was a good game but it was a shame we got a man sent-off, and conceded early. I think if we wouldn’t have conceded early it would have been a different game. Apart from that happening, I thought we played alright football, I don’t think they threatened us that much. I think we could do a lot better going into the next game, this one is done now so we’re looking to the next one.
“I don’t think there was much between the two teams. As a team we always work hard together so it doesn’t matter if we’ve got 10 men, nine men, it doesn’t matter because we all work hard for each other and we all know each-others roles. It’s obviously nice to keep 11 players on the pitch but it’s one of those things in football, you’ve just got to get on with it.”
Marc Roberts pulled a goal back for Paul Heckingbottom’s side with 10 minutes or so left on the clock. The belief was around Oakwell that the come back was possible.
“You always think there is an opportunity but it was at the time of the game where they just wanted to kick it into our end and turn us away if we get a goal, because Clubs know that we don’t give up until that final whistle, we go again.”
After breaking into the first team in 2017, Evans made his Reds debut against Rotherham in the South Yorkshire derby victory as a second half substitute, but was delighted to start today.
“It’s been good, I’ve been working my way up. Last year I had a bad injury but I’ve recovered from that and I built myself up playing U23s games and I’ve been building my way up, so making my Oakwell debut was a special moment. I made my debut at the weekend and showed the Gaffer I am trusted in that position. Obviously we didn’t have a left-back because Aidy White got injured so he trusted me there. I think I did a good job but you can always play better though. The Gaffer has now given me an opportunity and I am glad to have played at Oakwell.
“In football you get thrown into the deep end but you have been training all your life for this moment, that’s just how it goes.”
The Reds are 8th in the league and look to continue progressing as high as possible, despite the disappointment of losing this evening.
“We didn’t expect to be in the position we’re in or even higher, but obviously it’s a defeat and we don’t like to lose games, we always want to win. We have to go onto the next game and get three points then to stay towards the top of the table.”
