Shaun Barker came into the Rotherham side near the end of last season and the 21-year-old has made such an impact he has been an almost ever-present this season - capping a successful start to his professional career with his first goal in the senior side this week against Coventry. Givemefootball's Lawrie Madden was there to see the goal, the 2-0 win and to talk to Shaun after the game.
Q:A BULLET HEADER, NOT A BAD WAY TO GET OFF THE MARK?
A:Funnily enough, I said to the lads before the game that I hoped to get a goal. It was a good goal to score and it came at a crucial time in the game, just before half time. There was a lot of space and I decided to go and Paul Warne hit a perfect ball and I saw a gap and went for it.
Q:YOU'VE BEEN PLAYING FULL BACK, BUT THAT'S NOT YOUR MAIN POSITION IS IT?
A:No, for three years I was a centre back when I was a YT with Rotherham. I feel comfortable there and it is probably my best position. But Rob Scott got injured so I moved to full back. I am happy to be in the team and happy to play anywhere the gaffer wants me.
Q:HOW HAVE THINGS BEEN GOING FOR YOU, GENERALLY?
A:Well, last season was a good time to play. When I got into the side we were already safe and I was getting some experience. There was no pressure. I was a young lad thrown in to see what I could do rather than having to perform week in, week out under pressure. But this year it is different.
Q:WHAT'S GONE WRONG?
A:We have been in the bottom three or around the bottom for a while, so there's been more pressure on me and the rest of the team. Last season we were safe but not this year, but I have proved to myself and hopefully everyone at the club that I can deal with that and adjust to the demands of the professional game.
Q:YOU'VE HAD TWO HOME WINS, HAVE YOU TURNED THE CORNER?
A:It has been perfect timing to get six points and to move out of the bottom three. We were desperate for the points and knew that if we didn't then it would be hard to make up ground. If you start badly and you get a couple of bad results you end up in the bottom three, but hopefully we can pull clear of trouble now.
Q:SO CONFIDENCE IS HIGHER NOW?
A:Winning breeds confidence. But we knew we had to get something from our last two games. This is a big period for us. We have two or three big games against teams around us at the bottom. We have made a good start by winning our last two games and if we can win our next couple then we can increase our margin over our rivals and have a bit of space.
Q:YOU NEED TO SORT OUT THE AWAY FORM THOUGH?
A:I know we have not won away from home but we have drawn big games away and at the end if you win at home and draw away that will do us nicely, so we are not that worried at the moment.
