Barnsley captain Angus MacDonald is not the same player as last season, with the pressure of being one of the senior members of the squad affecting him, says Paul Heckingbottom.
The skipper was taken off at half-time on Tuesday against his former club Reading, who were 2-0 up at that point, and replaced by Matty Pearson. The 25-year-old centre-back played almost every game after signing from non-league Torquay last summer, but has struggled to find the same form since being given the captaincy for this campaign in which he has missed games through suspension and injury.
Heckingbottom told the Chronicle: "He's not the same as last season. But remember that we had a different side and we were much stronger out of possession last season so it was definitely easier to be a centre-back in that team. He came into the side at a good time and did amazingly well but the spotlight wasn't on him and it is now.
"This season we have looked to players who were in the side last season to take us forward. Angus hasn't got other players helping him now, he has got to help the new players. It's definitely affected him and he knows that and he's working hard to put it right."
Pearson has previously played at left-back but has impressed in the centre recently. Heckingbottom said: "We have been working with Matty at centre-back in training to give him the best possible chance of playing, and he's stepped in well."
MacDonald did the pre-match press conference for Tuesday's match at the club where he spent ten years as a youngster before being released. He admitted he had not been as good this season as last, but also said he is enjoying playing alongside Liam Lindsay who he could potentially partner for Scotland at international level.
MacDonald told the Chronicle: "I don't see any harm in us both being called up in the future, and it would be great to play together for Scotland. Obviously with Liam being from Scotland, it is probably a lot easier for him but my heritage makes me available as well. If you perform well at this level, you can go on to anything including international football."
