Adam Hammill has issued a rallying cry ahead of this weekend’s clash with Bolton Wanderers at Oakwell.
The Reds’ midfielder believes the team need to show character to ensure they achieve victory over the Trotters and a potential psychological advantage as the season draws to a close.
“You’ve got to thrive off pressure and enjoy this pressure,” insisted Hammill. “There’s no point shying away from it; you’ve got to go out on the pitch with your chest out and embrace the challenge.
“We’re going to have thousands of people watching us from the stands who would do anything to play on that pitch on Saturday, so we’ve got to put a performance on for them, the Club, the people of Barnsley and make them proud and show them just what it is to wear that football shirt.
“The Club has got an identity, and we’ve got to show that on Saturday.”
Barnsley fell to defeat against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Tuesday night, with Jonas Knudsen’s solitary goal the difference between the two sides.
However, it could have been a different story for the Reds if they had shown a more clinical edge in the final third.
“We’re disappointed from Tuesday night that it didn’t click for us,” continued Hammill. “I think in the first half we were by far the better team; we created the better chances.
“I think we had three or four golden chances and on another night it could have been 2-0 at half-time; game, set and match. There’s no real disadvantages lost because the teams around us didn’t pick up points.
“We still have that game in hand and we’re still confident. Obviously we’re going to do our work on the training pitch this week and come up with a game plan for Saturday which, for me, is a massive fixture.”
“I think we failed to capitalise on the opportunity to get more points on the board. We’re disappointed; we know that we didn’t perform to our capabilities.
“There’s no point thinking negatively about it, we’ve got to be positive about it and go into Saturday to try and get the three points. It’s a massive game; it’s going to be the biggest game of the season so far for us and we’ve got to go there relaxed and show why we deserve the points.”
Bolton’s away form will give the Reds reason to be optimistic ahead of Saturday’s game; the Trotters have won just once on the road in the league this campaign.
However, form can go out of the window in high pressure fixtures and Hammill is concentrating on ensuring Barnsley’s Championship status next season
“My sole focus is Barnsley staying in the Championship, that’s the same for all of the lads,” said the winger.
“Let’s get to safety, that’s all I am drilled in, I tell myself when I wake up every day that it’s our sole focus and we can achieve our goals, if we have everyone together both on and off the pitch. I’m trying to play my part.”
You can watch Adam's full press conference on our iFollow channel.
