JAMES Norwood admits ‘I wasn’t getting in the right areas’ for much of the season but hopes his ‘overdue’ goal on Boxing Day will lead to many more in the second half of the campaign.
The striker, 32, opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw at Accrington Stanley on Monday, ending a three-month wait for a fourth goal of the season. It was a close-range finish, similar to the two his strikepartner Devante Cole netted in the 2-0 win over Burton Albion.
Norwood told the Chronicle: “It was overdue. I hadn’t had as much gametime as I think. If I can get a run of games going, a few starts in a row, I feel I can get a lot more goals.
“I wasn’t getting in the right areas.
“I sat down with the gaffer and worked on the areas to be in that this team looks for but aren’t the ones I have picked up throughout my career.
“We make specific runs now not just off instinct. We work on patterns of play every day in training and we’re understanding them a lot better.’”
Barnsley are hoping to sign at least one striker in the January transfer window.
Norwood said: “There will always be people brought in and players trying to take your spot. It’s a competitive squad at the right end of the table. It’s only good for the club.”
Norwood was brought in for this season to add experience as well as goals, but says some of his young team-mates are also becoming leaders. He said: “The young lads are more vocal and talkative now. You can see in training they are stepping up. They are driving standards.
“For me, Luca Connell and Liam Kitching have been the big voices that have developed throughout the season. It’s nice to see.”
