Following our 2-2 draw against Norwich City this weekend, Conor Chaplin stressed the importance of regaining momentum heading into the play-offs.
The Reds haven’t quite been able to implement their high-pressing style in recent weeks, but it worked to perfection at times against the champions as we ended the regulation season with an encouraging display.
“We wanted to have a positive result and a positive performance,” began Chaplin. “I think the main thing from the game was to get back to our intensity, our way of pressing, our way in possession and I think we did that.
“We played well – it might have taken 10 or 20 minutes to get going with the press again because we haven’t been able to use it as much in recent games, but I thought we played really well.
“The message before the game was to make sure we have momentum and not just in terms of result but momentum in performance and what we are as a team. I think we got that, exactly, so it’s definitely a good day.”
Our diminutive forward found the back of the net with a wonderful header from Callum Styles’ left-wing cross, restoring our lead just before the interval.
Chaplin dedicated his goal to former Republic of Ireland international, Alan McLoughin, who was his mentor at Portsmouth as he came through the ranks on the south coast and sadly passed away earlier this week.
“It meant a lot to me today because I had a coach who died in the week, Alan McLoughlin, who I was at Portsmouth with,” explained the 24-year-old. “He was an unbelievable guy so, that was for him as well.
“He was my under 16s coach and when I was in the youth team breaking through, he was a coach for the first team so he was someone who had a big impact on my career.”
You can watch Conor’s post-match interview on iFollow Barnsley.
