Ryan Hedges has spoken positively about the rest of the season despite Saturday’s 3-1 defeat against Fulham at Oakwell.
The Reds took a first-half lead through Liam Lindsay but their task was made more difficult after the dismissal of Dimitri Cavare on the stroke of half-time.
Fulham’s second-half pressure paid off as they went on to take the three points through a double from Ryan Sessegnon, either side of Kevin McDonald’s scrappy late winner.
Hedges, like his teammates, is frustrated with the manner of the loss after Cavare’s red card but credited the way the team fought in the second period.
“Obviously, you can’t do what [Cavare] did but the honesty was appreciated,” the forward said following the match.
“We battled hard with a man down and we were unlucky not to get something from the game.
“I thought we were quite comfortable with the 1-0 lead with everyone on the pitch but that did contribute to turning the game on its head.”
The Reds remain on 27 points in the Sky Bet Championship following the result, with sides below them having a chance to leapfrog them with a game in hand. However, Hedges insists Paul Heckingbottom’s side can pull away from the relegation places.
“It’s all about turning the defeats into draws and the draws into wins. We’ve been unlucky at times this season and that was a bit of a sucker-punch in this match to concede the goals late on.
“Not being involved recently with injury has enabled me to vouch for every one of the boys that no one can fault the effort and the determination of this team.
“You shouldn’t be a footballer if you don’t go into every game to win. There’s no doubt that we’re confident going into every match, and we have every faith that we can definitely get out of this rut and get the points on the board.”
After making his first Barnsley appearance since early December’s defeat at Bolton Wanderers, the Wales international believes he is now fully match-fit and has the sharpness to challenge for a starting place.
“It’s been hard being injured, but I’m fully fit and ready to start helping Barnsley win football matches again.
“Hopefully I can be pushing for a few more starts, and I’ll do my best to start scoring again and getting those chances.
“The gaffer has said the next two months are make-or-break for us, and we’re already looking ahead to our trip to QPR next week.”
Hedges and his Reds outfit head to West London next Saturday at 3pm to face QPR in the next vital league clash at Loftus Road.
