Barnsley '˜need to be more ruthless', says goalkeeper Adam Davies

Barnsley goalkeeper Adam Davies has echoed manager Paul Heckingbottom's sentiment that the Reds need to be more ruthless in front of goal.

The hosts created numerous chances but failed to unlock the door as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against Everton – their first in pre-season – on Saturday.

Davies enjoyed the experience of facing one of the best sides in the country and believes stretching yourself against top quality opposition can only be a positive heading into the Championship.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It shows us we have to be ruthless in front of goal because we had a few chances that could have changed the game,” said Davies, who kept 16 clean sheets last season.

“It’s good to test yourself against one of the best teams in the Premier League, you could see the quality in their players.

“If we went in at 1-1, it’s a different game completely but when they scored their second, they kept the ball off us and made us run.

“It was tough but that’s why they’re in the Premier League with their top players.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They don’t mess around in front of goal, whereas in League One you do get a little bit more time.

“As a goalkeeper, it isn’t that much different when facing the shots but it’s about having that little bit of sharpness to react.

“It was a shame about the result but it was important to get the 90 minutes under the belt for the lads that did play and we’ll kick on again against Hull.”

But they have a chance to right those wrongs when they host Hull City at Oakwell tonight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Tigers, who have recently lost manager Steve Bruce, will be another tough test for the Reds, having just been promoted from the Championship.

The 24-year-old German-born shot stopper feels it is the perfect time to put into practice what they learned at the weekend.

“We need to learn to take our chances and keep clean sheets so we’ll try to do that against Hull,” added Davies.

“The lads have settled in well and we’ve got some quality players here now, it’s just about them jumping on the team spirit of last year and getting everyone on the same page.

“Paul and Tommy [Wright, assistant coach] have kept things the same, they just want us to kick on and give an extra 100 per cent because it’s a big step up into the Championship.”