Following our 1-0 loss against Leeds United on Thursday evening, Conor Chaplin expressed his disappointment at Barnsley not being able to take something from a game that they were dominant for large periods.
The Reds had excellent chances to score in either half, with Chaplin perhaps coming closest with a half-volley just after the interval, and he feels his side can take heart from their tireless, passionate display.
“It’s disappointing,” began the 23-year-old. “The lads have done well and I’m proud of the performance. There’s a bigger picture and it’s tough to take, but I thought we more than competed at times – especially in the second half.
“Once we got to grips with their shape and how they wanted to play, because it was tough at times, I thought we outplayed them at times; out pressed them, outworked them. But you’ve got to score goals and take chances.
“We had chances from open play, set-pieces – we were creating chances. Cauley had one that was blocked, but you’ve got to expect that; they’re fighting to go into the Premier League. But the overriding feeling is just disappointment at the moment.”
There have been plenty of encouraging signs in the past three games, despite picking up just two points, that Barnsley have enough about them to ensure their Sky Bet Championship status.
The Reds registered 12 shots to Leeds’ six, while also accumulating 34 attempts in the previous two outings against Luton Town and Wigan Athletic, and Chaplin believes his side need to keep the faith heading into this weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
“Obviously it hurts, but we’ll keep going until the end,” he continued. “If we play like that in our last two games, we’ll be unlucky not to pick up six points. We were great at times and we’ll keep fighting, it was just tough to take.”
You can watch Conor's post-match interview on iFollow Barnsley.