Adam Jackson has been ‘frustrated and annoyed’ to be left out of Barnsley’s starting line-up in League One this season but says he has ‘no argument’ with Daniel Stendel’s decision to play Ethan Pinnock and Liam Lindsay.
Centre-back Jackson, 24, was mainly first choice in the Championship last season but has been on the bench for all six of the Reds’ league games so far this term. Lindsay and Pinnock helped to keep clean sheets in each of the first four matches while Barnsley’s tally of three goals conceded is the joint lowest in the league.
Jackson told the Chronicle: “I have been a bit frustrated and annoyed about it but, when the team plays the first four games without conceding a goal, you can’t complain. The two lads have been quality so there is no argument from me at all. I have been in this position before so I will just work hard in training and wait until I get my chance then try to take it. There are a few of us in the same sort of boat, the manager has spoken to us all and said that he might not use us now but he will need us later in the season.”
From his seat on the bench, Jackson has been impressed with Barnsley’s start to the season. He said: “The lads have been really good. The 0-0 (against AFC Wimbledon) was a bit frustrating but we have played really well in a lot of the other games. To be undefeated and up high in the table is a great start.”
The former Middlesbrough and Hartlepool defender praised the impact of Stendel and his staff following last season’s relegation. He said: “From week one when they arrived it was all about the new philosophy and the way they wanted to play and that last season didn’t matter. We all bought into it straight away in pre-season and we have taken that into the league games.”
Jackson captained Barnsley on Tuesday in their 2-1 success at Oldham Athletic in the Checkatrade Trophy. He said: “I was glad to get the win. I needed 90 minutes and I feel better for it. The main priority is obviously the league and the lads who haven’t been playing understand that, but we’re excited to show what we can do. We’re playing to get into the league side in the future and we know that, if we keep going in this competition, there is a Wembley final at the end of it.”
