Ross Barrows: It feels good to be back out there

Defender Ross Barrows is seizing his opportunity in the side, and taking the chance with both hands.

Coming into the side last Tuesday early on following an injury to Reagan Ogle, Barrows was given the nod to start at the weekend and continued where he left off at Banbury.

Speaking ahead of the trip to King’s Lynn Town, he first reflected on the last week: “We’re building a bit of momentum now, which is key going into a busy period of this month and next month. 

“I think it’s important that we’re now kicking on at home, and picking up results with our away form improving too. Hopefully we can continue that, and it was a good performance on Saturday.

“I don’t think their league position reflects how they play. They were tough to break down, tough to beat and sat behind the ball with a bank of five and a bank of four. When you’ve got the quality that Jakey’s got to score from outside the box, it’s unbelievable. It was absolutely frightening. He just keeps on producing, and when you’ve got players like that in the team, it’s massive, especially coming up against teams that sit in. Sometimes you need a bit of quality like that.”

Speaking on his own inclusion, the former Altrincham defender has had to be patient to earn his shirt, first battling back from a serious injury last season, to getting into the team this.

“I’m absolutely buzzing,” he stated. 

“It feels good to be back our there, playing, and contributing to the team. I’ve waited for my opportunity to get a run of games now, and hopefully I’ve got that. I’ve got to keep working hard to try and keep my shirt now.”

In playing the Linnets on Tuesday night, the 25-year-old will be returning to face one of his former sides: “I’m looking forward to going back and seeing some familiar faces. Obviously, we know we have got a job to do, so we’re fully focused on performing well and getting three points. That’s the main focus.

“It’ll be tough. They’ve got good fans there, they’ll get behind them, and it’s a tough place to go. We’ve got to have that right mentality that we showed last Tuesday at Banbury. If we prepare right, and have that same mentality, I’m pretty sure we’ll get a good result.

“We had a lot of good times there, and the club has been quite successful in previous years. Just missing out on promotion last year shows that they could be a potential banana skin for us. 

“It’s two full-time teams going at it, so we’ve got to do everything we can to make sure we’re at it.”

United search for back-to-back away wins for the first time in almost three years this evening, but Barrows isn’t underestimating the size of the task that awaits the Iron at the Walks.

“Going away from home on a Tuesday night is tough for any team,” he added. 

“If we can keep picking up points away from home, winning or drawing, it keeps that unbeaten run going and the momentum building. The lads are loving being around the place, they’re bouncing off each other. We’re doing well, and winning games. We’ve got to keep that going.”