Adam Hammill admits he put too much pressure on himself at the start of this season but believes he will now go on a scoring run after netting against former clubs Rotherham and Wolves.
After scoring the second in the 4-0 win in Wolverhampton on Tuesday, the 28-year-old winger said: "It was marvellous to get back on the scoresheet. That's the great thing about football. For those ten seconds you are on a par with the fans and you feel exactly the same ecstasy and joy. It's a little bit sweeter against a former club.
"Before I scored against Rotherham I was putting too much pressure on myself to score but I knew once the first goal came I would go on a run. It's always the case with me. It takes five games or so. But I am playing with freedom again and the shackles are off.
"It's a good thing to have points to prove, like I have got. In the past I was naive and immature and I had lost sight of the fact that this is my dream job. But I have grown up and I am loving life at Barnsley. I am first in and last out. It couldn't be going any better."
Hammill says the arrival of several new signings at the end of the summer transfer window has made all the players more determined to keep their place in the team, while welcoming the newcomers.
"The competition for places has given the lads an extra lift because they know they can't slip. The substitutes' impact at Wolves was unbelievable. It has shown that we have good strength in depth with the impact the substitutes made. The starting players are on their toes because they know there are players waiting in the wings to be unleashed.
"In other clubs I have been at, there was nastiness when players were fighting for a place in the team but here everyone is behind whoever has the jersey."
Hammill is thrilled to be third in the league but is not looking far ahead. He said: "We're delighted with where we are in the table and how the season has gone so far. It's great to be a Barnsley fan at the minute.
"But as players we are not getting carried away and we are taking each game as it comes. We are enjoying the experience and the challenges.
"I said when we got promoted that the journey has just begun. It is going to be a long journey but it will be enjoyable and memorable. It's the best team spirit and set-up I have ever been involved with.
"It was only me and Aidy (White) who had experience in this league before this season but the other lads have taken it by the scruff of the neck."
