AIDEN Marsh knows he has achieved more than most by being a homegrown player in the Barnsley first team squad but admits this is a ‘big season’ in his attempts to become a regular.
The 21-year-old striker from Monk Bretton came through the Oakwell academy and has played 25 first team games, with three goals. With the Reds low on strikers, and looking to recruit more, he came off the bench in the opening game on Friday against Mansfield and was denied at close-range by the goalkeeper when looking to equalise in a 2-1 loss.
He then played the full cup tie at Wigan on Tuesday.
Marsh has previously been around the first team early in seasons before being loaned out, which is thought to be a possibility again.
Marsh told the Chronicle: “I just want to hit the ground running, get a goal and get my confidence high and push on.
“You have to take every game as it comes and not look too far ahead. But obviously it is a big season for myself and I am hoping I can do the business.”
Marsh is the only player from Barnsley to come through the Oakwell academy and play a league game since George Smith who left in 2016.
He said: “Every time I step out at Oakwell, I see my friends and family in the stadium. It’s an amazing feeling.
“There have been hardly any people from Barnsley go on to play for Barnsley’s first team. I have had loads and loads of my friends come through the academy and, out of the three or four age groups around me, there’s only me left. That shows how hard it is to do.”
Marsh is one of several academy players pushing for the first team such as Fabio Jalo, another striker currently out with an injury, as well as midfielders Jonathan Bland and Vimal Yoganathan.
“They have all had a good start to the season and not looked out of their depth.
“I enjoy playing with Fabs. I think we have a good understanding of each other. He wants to get at people and cross and I am there to tap them in.”
Marsh, who was a season ticket holder at Oakwell before playing for them, is enjoying working with Reds legend Conor Hourihane who was returned as player/coach.
“I was a little bit young to train with him the first time but I watched him from the stands. He was a top player and it’s good for everybody to pick his brains.
“He’s very demanding and wants a high standard every day in training.”