BEN KILLIP says replacing Liam Roberts in goal for Barnsley is ‘not easy shoes to fill’ but is enjoying coming into a team on fine form and conceding very few goals.
The 27-year-old signed in the summer after leaving Hartlepool United and had played three cup games before Roberts’ finger injury saw him make his first two league appearances this week.
Roberts has been one of the Reds’ star players this season.
Killip told the Chronicle: “We’re a team fighting to get into the Championship so we will have good players.
“Robbo has been doing fantastic and was unfortunate with his injury.
“It’s not easy shoes to fill with how well Robbo has done but a big part of it for me is not trying to prove to people I am as good as Robbo. I just let the games come, and be myself.”
The Reds’ defence struggled to protect their goalkeeper earlier in the season but they have not conceded from open play in the last five games.
“It’s just a few things that have come together.
“We’ve done a lot of work on the training pitch as a group. Defensively we have been solid and we are conceding less shots on our goal in the last five or six games. It’s nice as a ‘keeper to come into a team where you’re not massively busy. You know you don’t have to make five or six saves to win a game.
“You can come in and don’t have to change too much or prove too much.
“You can just let the defenders defend for you and not have to make a save.”
Killip had never played in League One before this week, having mainly played in the National League and League Two.
“I was in the Conference North, Conference, League Two and now League One. I always knew I was capable of doing it. I am just grateful to Barnsley for giving me the opportunity to play at this level.
“It’s the biggest club I have played for at the best level. I want to repay the club with my performances on the pitch.”
Barnsley are currently third in League One. Killip said: “It’s a nice feeling around the club, being third in the table and fighting for the top two. We’re not hung up on the table but we do check it.”
