Speaking after our 1-1 draw with Stoke City on Tuesday evening, Mads Andersen feels that, despite the frustration of conceding a late leveller, it could yet prove to be a valuable point in the fight for survival.
Barnsley were on course for a crucial victory after Domingos Quina had broken the deadlock with a magnificent strike, but Lewis Baker’s equally emphatic attempt five minutes into stoppage time sent the Potters home with a share of the spoils.
“I think, overall, it’s alright,” surmised Andersen. “We had some good moments in the game. In the second half, of course we’re going to defend our 1-0 and we are a bit deep, and they get a goal.
“It feels like a loss now, but we’ve still got a point and we’ll keep doing everything we can to win the games.”
Quina’s second goal for the club following his loan move from Premier League outfit Watford was a rare flash of quality in a game that always appeared destined to be settled by a moment of magic.
Andersen admits it is important to have those mercurial players like the Portuguese midfielder and his fellow loan addition, Amine Bassi, who can chip in with the spectacular every now and then to make a difference.
“We know his qualities – we can see it straight away, so I’m not surprised,” continued the Dane. “I think the goal came at a good time, and that was exactly what we needed.
“So, it’s perfect that we have players who can do that by themselves.”
Our next outing sees runaway league leaders Fulham visit Oakwell on Saturday in what is arguably the toughest assignment of the run-in.
However, our stand-in skipper insists that Barnsley can beat anyone on their day – as epitomised by his debut in August 2019 when the Cottagers succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in South Yorkshire.
“That’s what we believe in,” asserted Andersen. “When we are at our best, we can compete with everyone in the league, so we will do everything we can to win the game.”
You can watch Mads’ post-match interview on iFollow Barnsley.
