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CALLUM Styles was delighted to end a six-month goalless run this week and hopes to be a regular scorer for relegation-battling Barnsley in the final 14 games of the season.
The 21-year-old opened the scoring in the Reds’ 2-0 victory at Hull City on Tuesday. It was his first goal in 26 games since the 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham City in August.
Styles had missed some good close-range chances in recent weeks so was delighted to find the net.
He told the Chronicle: “It was more just relief to put us in the lead because the points are vital. It was a good feeling to tip the game in our favour and then we saw it out. It was a very well-worked goal. I got in the box where you should score goals. I am hoping they start tumbling in now. It’s good for the team and myself if I keep scoring.
“We know we need to score more and find the end product. The only way to do that is to force pressure. We all have to make more runs into the box and make a difference in the game.”
Styles has played more than 100 games for Barnsley but, because last season was behind-closed-doors then the Reds have struggled this campaign, he has only played in four Championship wins in front of supporters.
Tuesday was the first away win he had played in in front of Reds fans since coming off the bench in the League One victories at Walsall and Plymouth in 2019.
“It felt very good to have them cheering us. They cheer us when we lose but some of them are disappointed and so are we.
“We never want to lose but it’s part of the game. It makes it all the better for the travelling fans that we’ve finally won away from home.”
Styles has played various positions this season – both left and right wing-back, wide forward, number ten and central midfield. He said: “It’s good to have that diversity for myself and my profile.
“It’s good for the team because some players have been injured and I’ve played there to help the team.
“Off the back of that we’ve been winning so it feels to me that it’s all been worth it in the bigger picture.”
The Reds are last in the Championship, nine points off safety with 14 games remaining. Styles said: “It is not impossible. As long as something is not impossible, you can achieve it if you all put your minds to it. Togetherness is key and the belief was always there. The belief has grown a bit more with the wins.
“After the Blackburn game (a 2-1 loss on December 29) personally I felt very low. The results affect everyone at the club and you think you are letting everybody down. Sometimes a lack of belief can seep through. Then after that our performances were really good but we weren’t getting the results to match them. It was only a matter of time.
“It was a very big win in Hull. We played very well. It was one of the best first halves I can remember, then we saw it through to the end of the day.
“The result matched the performance in Hull and we have to keep doing that.
“The atmosphere chirps up when you win a game, that’s natural. I’ve noticed it’s a bit more bubbly this week.”
Styles has enjoyed playing with new signings Amine Bassi and Domingos Quina. He said: “They have given us a little spark to create more stuff and for the players around them to think ‘these players are creating and I need to create.’
“It’s a snowball effect. It’s good.”
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