Joe Williams admits he was 'worried' after Barnsley's poor performance in losing 3-1 at Bristol City on the opening day of the season but is now convinced the Reds will be 'fine' and believes Oakwell is the perfect place for him to learn.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who is on loan from Premier League Everton for the season, made his competitive debut in Bristol and has started all 12 of Barnsley's games in all competitions this season, playing every minute of the Championship campaign so far.

Williams told the Chronicle: "I will admit that after Bristol City it was worrying how they rolled us over. To turn it round this quick and be outplaying teams like Wolves who are second in the league is great. The position we are in is a bit false and we're all confident we will get up the league. We will be alright this year. We will be fine."

Williams, who has been used as a defensive midfielder in front of the back four, says he has gained a lot from working with head coach Paul Heckingbottom.

"It took me a game to get used to the pace of the Championship but ever since then I think me and all the lads have been fine. I have never learned this much under any manager, he's been unbelievable with me and added a lot to my game. It's a new role in front of the back four and he's teaching me how to play it. It's going to be good for me in the long term."

Williams said he was keen to join Barnsley as soon as he heard of the interest, after seeing his Everton team-mates Mason Holgate and Gethin Jones in action for the Reds."Everton have given me the odd text to see if I am settling in but they will just leave me to it. I went away with them in pre-season but there is so much competition in midfield there with lots of top class players. The manager (Ronald Koeman) pulled me to one side and said it would be good to go out on loan. As soon as I heard it was this club, I wanted to go because I know Mason and Geth and I have watched them play for Barnsley. The way Barnsley play under this manager appealed to me the most."

Williams was disappointed that he allowed QPR's Luke Freeman to drift past him from the right wing and net with a 25-yarder in the 88th minute in the 1-1 draw on Tuesday.He said: "I knew he was left-footed so I should have got tighter to him and not left him come inside. That certainly won't happen again, I won't let anyone left-footed come inside.

"The lads were down in the dressing room after the game. We weren't at our best but I still think we defended well enough to deserve three points. We are all young lads and it's a new experience for us. We need to see games out better but that will come."