DOMINGOS Quina has noticed a change in the mood around Oakwell in his seven weeks at the club in which Barnsley have closed the gap to safety.
The 22-year-old Portuguese midfielder signed on loan from Watford on the last day of the January transfer window when the Reds were last and eight points from safety.
But they have since ended a seven-game losing run and won four times to reduce the gap to two and move up to third-bottom having been last.
Quina told the Chronicle: “I can feel a difference now. We have been further away than what we are now, we are improving and doing everything that the manager wants. Before it was a long dream but we kept believing and we still have enough games to do the job.
“For us to stay up, it would be a dream.
“Every time we win, we are getting closer and we fight more.”
Quina has started ten games for the Reds – his most ever in a season for one club. He said: “I am happy the club has given me the chance to play football and be myself. I want to help them in any way I can. When I was at Fulham I barely played but now I am playing every game.
“My fitness is getting better, I feel more comfortable game by game and the team is clicking.
“I am really enjoying it and learning a lot. I have never played this much so I have to manage my body, sleep right.”
Quina played on Saturday against Fulham – where he spent the first half of the season on loan – and was booed by the away fans, following manager Marco Silva’s comments that he did not work hard enough.
The Reds conceded a 86th-minute leveller against the runaway leaders.
“Everyone was a little bit disappointed because we were so close to three points but we have to be proud of what we did against the best team in the league.
“To get a draw is not a bad thing.
“I just didn’t want to lose to them. There was a little bit of pressure because I have friends there, like (Nathaniel) Chalobah who is my best friend.”
Quina has quickly developed a good relationship with fellow January signing Amine Bassi and top-scorer Carlton Morris. He said: “All the lads are good boys, we’re just trying to do the best for the club. Bassi is hungry for minutes and wants to play football. I have a good connection with him.
“You can always count on Carlton and you know what he’s going to do.”
Quina scored the winner against QPR last month then netted another long-range stunner against Stoke last week. Describing the Stoke goal, he said: “I ran to the edge of the box and Bassi passed.
“I was going to shoot then I saw a player coming and ran across the box.
“No one came to me then I saw Remy (Vita) make the run which took the defender away so I cut back and shot.
“It was great to celebrate in front of the fans. I love it. They give me energy.”
