TENNAI Watson is hoping to continue a winning start to life with Barnsley when he returns to his former club AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
The 28-year-old signed for the Reds earlier this month on a one-year deal and, after starting in the EFL Cup last week against Fleetwood and coming off the bench in the league against Bolton on Saturday, played all of the win at Peterborough on Tuesday.
He had a 28-game loan to Wimbledon from Reading during the 2018/19 season including two appearances against a Barnsley team who would get promotion that year.
Watson told the Chronicle: “I am looking forward to going there.
“They have changed stadium from when I was there and I’ve played there once or twice.
“It’s not too far from my family house in West London.
“It will be nice to go back there.”
Watson gained promotion with Charlton last season, coming off the bench in the play-off final in May.
He was then released and spent time at the Professional Footballers’ Association training camp for out of contract players before joining Conor Hourihane’s Reds on a one-year deal.
“I have been a professional for a while and you think you’ve seen it all but this was a different summer.
“But it was enjoyable.
“I will never forget the play-off final. But I was focused very soon after that final. I went to the PFA to keep ticking over and it was the closest thing I could get to being at a club.
“This team trains very intensely so it has been a bit of a step but it wasn’t a massive jump.
“When I spoke to the gaffer and got ideas about the staff and the boys, I wanted to come.
“With the type of football he wants to play, competitive and aggressive is the baseline.
“That was the essence of what he was saying and it fit my profile.”
Watson’s ultimate goal is to make it back-to-back promotions.
“I can only talk for myself but the vibe I get is everyone is ambitious and I am pretty sure they all want to get promoted. But it’s important for the experienced players to keep everyone focused on what’s in front of us.”
Watson is mainly a right-back but finished the game against Fleetwood as a centre-back then a left-back at Peterborough.
“I personally think that’s one of my best traits. I think I can fit in quite a lot of places. Don’t put me as striker, but apart from that. It probably sounds cliche but, if I can help in anyway possible, I will do that.”
