BEING named Barnsley captain is a ‘great honour’ for Cauley Woodrow who says he will not change his approach as he plans to lead the team by scoring goals.
The 26-year-old striker has been given the armband by Markus Schopp following the departure of Alex Mowatt.
Woodrow – who stood in as captain under Valerien Ismael and Gerhard Struber – is about to start his fourth season with the Reds, for whom he has scored 49 goals in 126 games.
Woodrow told the Chronicle: “It’s a great honour for me and I am really happy that the manager has given me that role and looked to me to lead the team. I am looking forward to it.
“But I have always looked to be a leader in the three seasons I have been at the club. I won’t change at all, I will be exactly the same.
“I will just look to lead the team by doing my job which is scoring goals like I have done over the last three years.
“Alex was the captain last season but there are lots of leaders who people on the outside might not know about. When Alex left, it was something I wanted and I am happy I have got it.
“I have had it in some games under Val and under Struber.”
Barnsley begin their campaign at Cardiff City tomorrow, hoping to make a better start than last season when they did not win any of their first seven games before eventually making the play-offs.
Woodrow told the Chronicle: “Everyone wants to win the first game so we will go there with fresh bodies and fresh minds, hoping for three points.
“Last season we didn’t have a good start and look what we achieved.
“It’s not the be all and end all but hopefully we can start well.”
He added: “Cardiff are probably one of the toughest teams, they have had a recent taste of the Premier League.
“It’s a good test for us on the opening day but we need to embrace that.”
Woodrow, as well as the likes of Carlton Morris and Dominik Frieser, have been joined this summer by new forwards Devante Cole, Obbi Oulare and Aaron Leya Iseka.
“Devante has been here all summer then the two newer lads have come in and been introduced a bit in training.
“They have been good, they’re good lads.
“Their English is good and they’ve settled in.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how they do on the pitch.”
Woodrow welcomes the competition, adding: “It’s the same every year, really. There have been lots of forwards in the past and it’s down to players to keep the shirts.
“The additions have been good and the new forwards will be doing all they can to get into the team.”
Can the Reds repeat last season’s fifth-placed finish?
Woodrow said: “Our goals need to be to be up the top end like we proved we can last year. But we just need to take every game as it comes and I’m sure we’ll have a good season.”
Woodrow is looking forward to playing in front of fans again regularly following the easing of Covid-19 rules.
“The biggest part for me, when you score, is sharing it with the fans and hearing the noise. I love playing in front of fans and we can’t wait to have them cheering us on.”
