Barnsley ‘need’ a derby win over Leeds United on Sunday to give them a boost after some difficult results, says centre-back Mads Andersen.

The 21-year-old from Denmark has started every Championship game this season and is hoping to be involved against the Reds’ local rivals.  Andersen told the Chronicle: “It’s a derby so there will be a lot of people coming to support us. I am really excited. I don’t know that much about Leeds.

“In this league we can win every game or lose every game but our mentality is to win. It would be perfect to beat them in a derby and it’s what we need. “We know the fans care a lot about this game so we want to make them happy. It will be a crazy atmosphere and a good experience. We will do everything we can to win. 

“I have played a derby in Denmark for Brondby against Copenhagen. It was only a training match but there were a lot of fans there.”

Andersen arrived in the summer from Horsens who play in the Danish Super League and has been a regular in the Barnsley side which picked up five points from their first six Championship games.  He said: “I have found it fun and tough at the same time. It’s very different from the Super League. As a team, we can do more and I believe in this team. Five points is average – we want to do more but it’s not the worst situation. Let’s win on Sunday and make it eight points.” 

Andersen, who was at fault for the opening goal in a 2-0 loss at Birmingham City last month, knows the Reds need to cut out errors.  He said: “If you make one little mistake, they punish you. I hate using the fact that we are a young team as an excuse but sometimes you can see that we need experience. It will come throughout the season.

“I have already learned very, very much in the first six games.  The style of play is similar to the style  I have played before, so in that way it has been easy to adapt.  But the tempo of the opposition is so much higher. There is so much more power and the quality is a lot better. I think I have had two or three good games but I still think I can do better.”

Andersen was pleased with the clean sheet in a 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic before the international break, despite eight first team regulars being injured.  He said: “It shows that, if everyone on the pitch has the right mentality, we can win. We need everyone in the squad. We have 25 and they all have to be ready.” Andersen went back to Denmark at the start of the international break. 

“It was really good and I could relax. It’s good for all of us to have a break after so many games in a tough league in one month. It’s a good group. We all get on very well together and we are very hungry. It makes a good environment.”