After making his first league start for Barnsley, Elliot Simoes gave us his reaction.
Young forward Elliot Simoes said that he was disappointed not to be getting all three points after the Reds’ performance in their South Yorkshire Derby against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.
“I was really happy about making my first start." Elliot stated. "The fans got behind us a lot and that helped us to put in a good performance, but it’s just unlucky that we couldn’t get all three points.”
Barnsley were on top for the majority of the game and were very unlucky to not come out as winners at full time. Simoes said that the players understood the importance of the game.
“We knew it wasn’t just about the three points, but the fact it was a derby too.
“They’re always very important. We just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal. Apart from that we should have won the game.”
The forward has impressed this season in the Under 23s as well as with a few substitute appearances for the first team. Even scoring after coming on against Derby County at Pride Park earlier on in the season.
Those performances earned Elliot his first league start of the season this weekend and he couldn’t have been happier, except for the result.
“It was a very big day for me, as a young boy you dream of this. To play in a stadium with an atmosphere like today.
“I tried not to think too much of the game. I just wanted to concentrate and play my football.”
It’s no secret that Gerhard Struber’s squad is a young one already, but Simoes' start highlighted the Head Coach has plenty of faith in the youngsters to make that step up when they’re needed. Simoes explained how much his support helps the players.
He told us: “The gaffer has got a lot of faith in all of us. He makes us aware that everyone in this squad is important.
“You’ve seen with our substitutes, how much of an impact they made. They’re just as important. He 100% gives me a lot of confidence. Allowing me to start, shows the faith he has in me.”