Can’t get game for Barnsley .. must be some sort of misTYKE
Mallan frustrated at being sidelined
Stevie Mallan has been left wondering at times why Barnsley signed him.
After being a regular for St Mirren, the midfielder got a big Championship move in the summer – but hasn’t yet kicked a ball in anger for the Tykes.
The 21-year-old has been left frustrated while his fellow Scot and flat-mate Liam Lindsay makes an impact at Oakwell.
But Mal lan remains convinced he can crack it in England and isn’t ready to chuck in the towel.
He has mostly featured for Barnsley’s Under-23 side this term but has no plans to quit. Instead, he’s as determined as ever to force his way into manager Paul Heckingbottom’s starting line-up – despite a tough start to life in Yorkshire.
Mallan said: “It has been a different experience for myself and if I was playing it would be a lot easier.
“I’m now at a place where I don’t play every week, which I was used to at St Mirren.
“But I’ve grown up a lot in the last few months.
“There has been a lot to think about, especially when you’re frustrated.
“It helps you grow as a man. Playing for the U23s has actually helped me as a player but I’d rather be involved for the first team.
“The manager speaks to me a lot and people at the club have helped when I get frustrated.
“I know what I need to work on to get in the team. I have to show in training he can trust me in games.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of people to help with my mindset because it was hard at the start.
“But I’ve come to terms with it now and it’s about showing what I can do.
“My dad has been important, I talk to him every day. He has told me my chance will come and I have to take it.
“I have watched a few games and thought I could bring something to the team. But I have to earn the opportunity.
“In the first couple of months – as anyone who was used to playing every week would – I started to wonder, ‘ Why am I here?’
“But the people at the club have kept my mind at ease. They know I’m a good player.”
At least Mal lan has ex-Partick Thistle defender Lindsay for company as they share the same flat.
The talented centre-back has impressed for
Heckingbottom’s side in the Championship and his pal was surprised not to see him in the Scotland squad for Thursday night’s friendly with Holland.
Mallan is delighted to see Lindsay playing well but joked that his mate’s cooking skills have to go up a notch.
He said: “It has made it easier for me seeing Liam do well.
“Moving away from my family was a big deal and if I was on my own it could be problem – I’d have been alone with my thoughts.
“But staying with Liam, seeing him play then having him at the house has been brilliant. It takes my mind off things.
“I was shocked when he wasn’t called up for Scotland. I’ve watched him most weeks and he’s a great player.
“He’s doing well in the Championship and has improved by playing against better players, guys who have played in the Premier League before.
“He has handled it easily at times and in the next few years he’ll definitely be involved with Scotland.
“At home, I’ve had to do more being away from my family in Scotland.
“But big Liam is a good cook – he’ll do more of that and I’ll clean up.
“We’ve got a decent wee set- up going. He loves a chicken stir- fry. In fact, we’ve had a fair amount of them so maybe needs to start changing that up a bit!”
It would be easy for Mall an to chap Heckingbottom’s door in January and demand a loan move to get first- team games under his belt. But the playmaker, who is in the Scotland U21 squad for their Euro qualifiers in Perth this week, is reluctant while he still feels he can make the grade at Oakwell.
He said: “I’m not sure about asking for a loan. Barnsley are a big club and I want to stamp my feet in English football. I want to play at the highest level possible.possible The manager is great and has already improved parts of my game. “I’ve learned a lot from training down there that I might not have up the road. So it’s a hard one because obviously I want to play. “I’ll keep going until January then have a talk with the gaffer to see what he thinks is best. In the meantime, I’ll st ay posit ive, train hard and hope to get my chance.”
I started to wonder why am I here? But I talk to my dad every day and he tells me my chance will come