JONATHAN Bland is delighted to have broken into the Barnsley first team under Conor Hourihane and is now determined to stay in it.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Reds aged 15 after leaving West Bromwich Albion, has been given his first EFL action by Hourihane in the last two months – starting six games and coming off the bench in three.

He has been alongside other academy products like Fabio Jalo and Kieren Flavell.

Bland told the Chronicle: “Conor has had a big push with youth players coming through which has been good.

“There has always been a bit of a link between the first team and academy.

“In recent years there have been lads who have come through and not excelled as much as they wanted to do and the club wanted them to.

“We have an academy that brings through a lot of good players and it’s about being confident and taking your chance.”

Bland was recalled, under previous head coach Darrell Clarke, from a successful loan in National League North with Peterborough Sports.

After Clarke’s sacking, he made his debut at home to Cambridge in March as a substitute.

“It’s been a rollercoaster.

“I got recalled then didn’t play. Conor got the job, it was the international break and a couple of lads were off which meant, when Benno (Josh Benson) got injured, I got the chance.

“From there it’s just about how I take it. I felt comfortable and I’ve been building on that.”

Bland is a midfielder but initially broke into the side as a right-back before playing in midfield in the last game.

“Right-back was good for me to learn a different part of the trade but I love playing centre mid and I think that’s where I am best.

“That’s where I want to play but I will fill in wherever I am needed.”

Barnsley won 4-2 at Reading in their final game, bouncing back from a loss to Bland’s hometown club Shrewsbury in their last Oakwell fixture.

“It was big that we ended with a good win.

“Conor was big in the dressing room about finishing well at home and we were really poor last week.

“We bounced back and showed that we care because at times we’ve rolled over and been weak.

“We needed to show bite, desire and determination.

“We have a lot of quality in the team, and so many good players, but at times it’s not really come together.

“We need to be more sure at the back end as well because we should have won that 4-0 really.”

Bland assisted the third goal for Davis Keillor-Dunn, his first senior assist.

“It was full circle because, in pre-season, we played Accrington away and I made the same run then got the assist for Marshy (Aiden Marsh). It was nice to end on a positive note for myself.”

Bland is now hoping to a regular for the Reds in the 2025/26 season.

“I want to play as many games as I can next year.

“These last ten games have been brilliant. Conor has really helped me and I am looking forward to working with him.

“There is a lot of knowledge that I can take off him and he knows that I want to get better.”