Mike Bahre is hoping to make a significant impact in Barnsley’s promotion push after being given his first League One starts of 2019 this week.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder – who has played 22 league games this season but is yet to score – was brought back into the starting line-up on Saturday after seven games out of the side. He won a penalty in a 2-1 defeat of Wycombe Wanderers then also started the 0-0 draw with Burton Albion.
Daniel Stendel, who worked with Bahre at Hannover96 before bringing him to Oakwell, had been reluctant to change a side that was on a long unbeaten run but had to do so after an injury to top-scorer Kieffer Moore.
Bahre said: “I hadn’t started since December but I was OK with it because we were winning most of the games. I have just been working hard in training. I knew when Kieffer was injured that I could get my chance.
“The offensive players like me are working towards getting goals and assists so hopefully I will get more. I haven’t started for a while and it’s not always easy to come in and start after just having ten, 15 or 20 minutes but hopefully I will keep getting better.
“By playing more matches, I can play better and be accepted by the players which has been important.”
Bahre is delighted that the Reds have not lost at home for almost a year and is hoping they can overtake current leaders Luton Town. Bahre said: “We want to keep this unbeaten run and it is extra motivation. We are very confident, especially in home games. We go into every game knowing it is very, very difficult to beat us. We know we can beat everyone in this league.
“The manager has told us not to be satisfied with second place, everybody has to want more than we have already got. Our goal is to get promoted but our smaller goal is to get into first place.”
The number of Bahre’s German compatriots at Oakwell reduced last month when assistant coach Andreas Winkler moved to Huddersfield and was replaced by Dale Tonge.
“It wasn’t a big difference to me. Dale speaks a lot with all of the lads, including a lot with me. He is such a good person and he has done a good job since he has joined our staff. We are happy to have him.”
