Barnsley have kept clean sheets in half of their last 30 matches and goalkeeper Jack Walton is focused on improving that record.
The 22-year-old has become the Reds’ number one since football re-started in June.
He has kept five clean sheets in 13 Championship games this season, whereas it took Barnsley 34 games to do so last campaign.
Walton told the Chronicle: “We have been solid as a unit and a team.
“We understand our roles and we’re really disciplined.
“We need that base to build on because, if you keep a clean sheet, you don’t lose. The gaffer (Valerien Ismael) has come in with a philosophy of being compact and solid, we’ve bought into it and it’s helped. We just need to tweak a few things and improve in certain areas and we’ll be alright.”
He added: “I pride myself on clean sheets and keeping the ball out of the net, but I don’t just want to be happy with that, I want to improve and keep that record going.”
Walton was disappointed with the 1-0 loss at home to Brentford on Tuesday, in which the visitors scored from a corner.
“Set pieces are a big part of the game. We weren’t great at them last season and we’ve worked really hard to minimise the risk, so it’s frustrating.
“No one wants to lose a game of football. It was a game of very fine margins and we were on the wrong end of it. We have another game very soon so we have to dust ourselves down and move on.
“I thought we were disciplined for 99 per cent of the time but it was the one per cent where they scored.
“But that’s football and, at this level, those fine margins matter.
“There will be plenty of games like that this season that we will win 1-0.
“You don’t take the highs too high or the lows too low. When we win we’re not bouncing around the changing room, thinking we are world-beaters and when we lose, heads aren’t down.”
Barnsley are two games into a 12-match run within 43 days.
Walton said: “The games come thick and fast. I love it. I just love playing football and to play at this level against great opposition is really enjoyable.”
Although the Reds lost in midweek, their goalkeeper believes their run of four wins in five games before that will have won them respect in the division.
“Teams will probably be thinking they need to play really well to beat us now. We have had a good run, it’s come to an end and we have to improve which everyone in the squad knows.”
