Conor Chaplin is confident that the Reds can bounce back after their disappointing first round Carabao Cup exit on Tuesday night against League Two outfit, Carlisle United.
It wasn’t the result or performance that Head Coach, Daniel Stendel was hoping for from a side that had experienced seven changes from the South Yorkshire Derby against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
And Chaplin admits the performance was nothing like good enough.
“We expected to put in a good performance, just like any other group of professionals would. But it’s just a blip and we’ll look to bounce back this weekend,” said Chaplin.
The frontman assures that there is nothing to worry about following the cup exit after impressive performances already this season from the Reds. “We’ve seen from the game against Fulham, we played very well against one of the best teams in the league. But we can’t just keep using that for every bad result, we need to build on that and keep playing that way.”
Despite the result, the former Coventry City forward is enjoying his time at Barnsley, and feels like he is settling in well. “It’s been great so far, everyone at the club has been so welcoming. It’s helped because there’s been a few players coming in at the same time, so there's some in the same situation.
“It’s obviously a young squad as well, so we’re all at similar stages of our careers and have the same goals etc. That helps with everyone getting along, and I’m settling in really well.”
It’s no secret that the club had been hoping to acquire the services of Chaplin for quite some time, and it’s that feeling of being wanted that has helped massively. “Being wanted is a really important feeling to have for a footballer, it’s the way you get the best out of a player. That’s exactly how I feel here.”
There are a few players at the club that are able to play the same role as Conor, especially now with the deadline day signing of Patrick Schmidt. But he is relishing the challenge, as he explained: “The test for everyone is to get into the team on a Saturday, but it’s healthy competition and it’s what we all want. It will only make us become better.”
Barnsley face Charlton Athletic at Oakwell this coming weekend. The Reds will be looking to get one over on their fellow newly-promoted side as they look to get back to winning ways and keeping hold of that impressive unbeaten home league run.
“We all want to get back to winning, they’re a good side and have had a good start to the season with two wins. It’s a team I played last season, on both occasions and I’m really looking forward to it.”
