A YEAR ago today, Clarke Oduor was waking up as an instant Barnsley cult hero after scoring the goal that kept the Reds in the Championship against all odds in Brentford.
After a difficult 12 months, the 22-year-old Kenyan international is hoping to flourish in a more attacking role under Markus Schopp.
Oduor, who had made 18 appearances in the 2019/20 season which saw the Oakwell club pull off the ‘great escape’ and stay in the Championship, played just 13 times last season.
Valerien Ismael left him as an unused substitute for 27 straight games from December until May then did not include him in the squad for the play-offs.
The last-minute goal at Griffin Park remains the only time he has netted in professional football but he did score Barnsley’s second in their 2-0 friendly win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday under new head coach Markus Schopp.
Oduor told the Chronicle: “Brentford is a great memory for me but I want to make more this season.
“I just need consistent football now. Everyone wants to play at this club so it won’t be easy, but if I can get quite a few games this year it will help me with my confidence and it will be a good stepping stone for the following season and further on.
“I wanted to play more last season but it’s a new season now and a fresh start so hopefully it can be different for me and a lot of the lads.”
While Oduor has previously been used as a left-back or left wing-back, he sees himself as an attacking midfielder or forward.
He was used on the right of a front three on Saturday.
He said: “I like it.
“There is stuff to get used to out of possession but, on the ball, I really enjoy it and it suits me more as a forward, attacking player.
“I can come deep and get on the ball, link with the centre forward and make runs in behind.
“Hopefully it’s a position I can settle in. If I play there more often, it will help me drive my career forward.”
