As the Reds prepare to welcome Coventry City to Oakwell, we caught up with our midfield maestro.
ON MAKING THE MOVE TO OAKWELL
“I felt like I needed to get out and play games. I’m 22, I want to express myself and show what I’m about. I saw what Barnsley did last season and it felt like the perfect fit for me at this stage in my career.
“I got six games in the Premier League, and I played against some top players, like Kevin De Bruyne and it was a great experience. That remains my goal. To play regularly in the Premier League.
“So I had faith in making this move, a four-year deal, to a club where I’m playing regular and where I feel loved.”
ON THE OPENING WEEK
“I was happy with the assist (at Cardiff), but I felt like I learned a lot in the minutes I was on. Playing in front of fans and the pressure was good to get used to.
“In midweek, it was good for a lot of us to get game-time, players who’d been out or injured for a while. It was important for us.
“There’s a lot of good players here, everyone is battling for a shirt and that competitive edge will make us better players. It’s a long season and we all need to be ready to play.”
ON HIMSELF AS A PLAYER
“I feel like I’m good on the ball, great in possession, but I like to get stuck in and be a real energetic presence in the midfield. I want to be that typical box-to-box player.
“I’m enjoying working under the gaffer here, I like his philosophy and how he’s wanting us to play this season. He wants us to be brave, but not stupid.
“I’m excited to start playing and see where we can go this year.”
AMBITIONS THIS SEASON
“I feel like we’ve a talented squad, the aim is to push on and try and replicate what we did last season. The players here are all very close, we have similar interests and the ambition is the same.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the club so far, and the people here. There’s a real buzz and an excitement about getting out there on matchday.”
SATURDAY'S GAME
“I can’t wait to get out there at Oakwell, play in front of our supporters. It was great having them with us in Cardiff and then at Bolton in good numbers.
“Walking out tomorrow with them all back at home, it’s going to be a special occasion and I think it should push us on in the game with them behind us.
“Coventry are a good side, we know what we are coming up against tomorrow but we’re confident of backing up a good point last week, with three points at Oakwell.”
