CONOR Grant was delighted to make his full debut for Barnsley at Portsmouth in midweek, after a ‘frustrating’ start to his Reds career.
The Irish midfielder, 22, signed on loan from League Two MK Dons in the summer and has come off the bench ten times, scoring in the win at Wycombe last month.
But he has only had two minutes of action in the month leading up to Tuesday’s match, sometimes being left out of the matchday squad.
He is pleased to finally be in the 11, at a vital moment with the Reds still needing three points from the last two games to reach the League One play-offs.
Grant told the Chronicle: “It’s been a bit frustrating I suppose, with the lack of minutes.
“That’s football. You have to earn your spot in the team in training. That’s what I have been trying to do.
“I was happy to start and it’s a great game to play in. Hopefully I will be able to play in a few more this season.
“It’s a good time to get in the team.
“Saturday (away at Blackpool) is going to be absolutely massive. We need to start winning games quick.”
Grant has been behind the likes of Luca Connell and Jon Russell – who have been out injured this week – and Adam Phillips and Herbie Kane.
“I am delighted to start. I am no different to anyone else, I want to play every minute but it’s a team sport.
“There are some really good players in there which pushes me to get better.
“It’s healthy competition.”
Barnsley delivered an impressive performance at Fratton Park but lost 3-2 after leading on 83 minutes.
“It’s quite a gutted dressing room but we just have to recover right and go again.
“We were brilliant for 80 minutes.
“We’re going to have to match that performance for the next two games minimum to get in the play-offs.
“We just have to go again on Saturday. We need to win.
“We’re confident but we need to learn how to get wins over the line.
“That’s the difference between us and them (Portsmouth).
“For 80 minutes you wouldn’t think they were running away with the league but they know how to win games and that’s what they did.”
