Corey hoping to stay in team during good run

COREY O’Keeffe is happy to have won the hotly-contested battle to start at right wing-back, for now, and wants to help Barnsley complete a successful festive period of fixtures.

The 25-year-old summer signing has been in and out of the 11, competing with Barry Cotter, but has started the last four league games.

He told the Chronicle: “I have come back into the team, feel good and warrant my place.

“I want to keep that going. “Sometimes it’s hard to get going when you’re in and out – 30 minutes here then don’t play the next one, then start.

“It’s crucial for your confidence when you play a lot.

“I am 100 per cent ready to start all four games over this period.”

Having beaten Stevenage and Port Vale this week, the Reds now visit Peterborough United tonight then host Wigan Athletic on Monday.

“We’ve got six points from six.

“We have two more games over the Christmas period.

“If we keep going how we are, there is no reason we shouldn’t take more points.”

Barnsley played some of their best football of the season in the first half of the victory at Port Vale on Boxing Day, winning 3-2 after being 3-0 up.

“Some of the patterns when we get the ball down are very free-flowing and we look like we will score every time.

“But we need to do it for 60 or 70 minutes not just 45.

“It got nervous. They brought on a couple of big players and loaded the box.

“We dealt with that for the most part but we need to defend better and not give up so many chances.”

John McAtee netted twice at Vale, including a 35-yard stunner.

“Macca is always trying that sort of stuff.

“He does it all the time in training so it’s not a shock.

“He’s on fire at the minute and hopefully he can carry it on.”*