Jamie Shackleton: It was important to bounce back

Jamie Shackleton: It was important to bounce back

Shackleton on win over Barnsley.

Jamie Shackleton spoke to the press following Leeds United's 2-0 win over Barnsley at Oakwell Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The midfielder made his way into the starting XI for the game, playing the full 90 minutes for the first time this season.

Jamie, another win on the road, what did you make of the game?

I think on the defensive side it was a bit more open than we’d probably want it to be and we’ve probably been a bit tighter in previous games but the key thing is we managed to keep them out despite the chances that they had. I think we created a lot of chances going forward and we kept going, eventually we got that first goal which was vital, it took a while but when we got it we kicked on.

It was the first game after the international, do you think it was important to bounce back after the defeat against Swansea?

Of course it was important to bounce back after Swansea, it’s been a long two weeks in between and you never want to have two bad results on the bounce, so to do it here, and it’s a tough place to come away, and to get the three points, it was key. We are just taking one game at a time, we’re back at the top now and if we keep winning games then we’ll stay there, it’s as simple as that really.

You came into the starting XI today and it just shows the competition for places doesn't it?

Everyone in the squad wants the same thing, which I think you could see when that first goal went in and all the lads were on the pitch with us. Everyone is so together and I think that’s key, we are all pushing in the same direction, whether you're in the starting team or on the bench, you could see it with Eddie coming off the bench and scoring. It’s vital that we have people competing for places in every position; it’s definitely a positive thing that it’s such a competitive environment. Everyone wants to be starting games and playing the 90 minutes and even if you have to be patient and wait for that the main thing is everyone is ready when their time comes to step in.

Have you set any targets this season, it's your second with the first team?

Just to improve and play as much as possible. If I can play as many games for the club as I can, take my chance when it comes and add a few more goals to my game as well that'd be the target.

You were away with England in the international break, how did you find that experience?

I enjoyed it, I played in the second game against Switzerland and we won that 1-0 so it was a good international break overall. The style that we play with England is different to here and it’s definitely an experience learning under different managers, seeing how they want you to play and adapting to that, it’s going to improve me as a player.

X