Conor Chaplin was delighted with Barnsley’s win over Hull City but says it will only matter if it leads to a run of good form which secures survival.
The 24-year-old forward scored in the 3-1 victory which cut the Reds’ gap to safety to five points. Chaplin said: “The win has definitely given us something extra. It was a massive relief but we don’t want to sit on it, we need to build on it and go on a run. We have played well but not won far too many times which is our fault but it also comes down to a bit of luck. We’re not naive, no one thinks we’re going to be fine because we won a game.
“We have a long way to go in the season. We need to step up a gear now and not take our foot off the gas. There’s an opportunity to get a lot of points in the next few games. Usually the Christmas period has a big effect on your season. Over the next month or so, we will look to get a lot of points and get up the table.”
After Chaplin volleyed in Barnsley’s third goal in the 3-1 win over Hull City on Saturday, securing the victory in the 95th minute, he barely celebrated as he walked a few steps before collapsing to the floor and being jumped on by his team-mates. He said: “It was relief and the fact that I didn’t have any energy to celebrate. I was just glad that the boys ran over to me, but then I got squashed. Maybe 20 seconds later I realised it was game over and we had three points so I could celebrate. It was a real good shift but we need to put it in every game.”
Chaplin scored just one goal in his first 15 games for Barnsley but has netted twice in Gerhard Struber’s three matches in charge. He has three assists as well as his three goals in 14 starts and four substitute appearances since moving from Coventry City last summer. He is now the second highest scorer this season behind seven-goal Cauley Woodrow.
Chaplin said: “I feel really good. I feel comfortable in the league now. For the first few games you are sussing out the league and the players and the quality. Now I know I am good enough to play in this division which is a big thing for any player. It gives me confidence and you can see that in my performances. I have always had little runs of goals in my career. I don’t know why, maybe because of confidence. “I just want to keep scoring goals and help the team get points.”
Chaplin praised Struber, saying: “I have really enjoyed working with him and the staff. The little tweaks have been interesting and something that the boys have really taken to.”
