NEIL Farrugia believes his performance against Rotherham United in midweek was his best for Barnsley so far but only ‘a snippet’ of what he can bring to the team.
The Irishman has made seven starts and six substitute appearances since signing for the Reds in the January transfer window.
He impressed in the EFL Cup win over the Millers, registering an assist.
Farrugia told the Chronicle: “I think that’s the most I have shown the fans of what I can do.
“It’s definitely not everything.
“I was happy but not delighted.
“There are definitely a few bits to work on.
“As a whole, maybe I gave the fans a snippet of what I can do.”
Farrugia started the game at left-back then moved at half-time to right wing where he has mainly been playing under Conor Hourihane who wants to play with exciting wide men.
“Last year, I was playing more as a wing-back and naturally you are going to be more defensive in that formation.
“In this formation, it is way more attacking which is where my strengths lie.
“Conor has given the wingers the freedom to go one v one and not be scared of losing the ball in the final third. We can express ourselves and that’s where chances are created.
“From the first game of the season, we’ve created loads of chances because of that.”
He added: “I like right wing because I feel I can go either way. Sometimes on the left I feel the defender knows what I’m doing already. On the right, I feel more unpredictable.”
Farrugia has not started a league game since Hourihane took over from Darrell Clarke as head coach in March.
He has come off the bench twice in the league this season.
“No player is happy to be on the bench. That is just the reality.
“We’re humans.
“I’ve said to myself that this is the position I am in at the moment, I just need to train hard and play with freedom when given the chance. Everything else is out of my control.”
Farrugia has had a couple of injuries in his time at Barnsley with Hourihane saying his staff were working with the former Shamrock Rovers star to make him more ‘robust.’
“I had a full pre-season and then I got injured in the first week of the season.
“They really ran me hard and kept me fit. I was feeling a bit leggy at the end of the Rotherham game but I thought it would be way worse.
“That shows the training behind the scenes is coming through.”
He added: “It’s a very long season with lots of games. I think the whole squad will be needed no matter what. When we rotate it’s important players like myself make sure they are at the intensity they need to be, having not played regular minutes. That’s key.”
Farrugia set up Adam Phillips’ winner in midweek but put a couple of shots wide as he waits for his first Barnsley goal.
“That will be playing on my mind.
“I just need to hit the target.
“But I was really happy with the assist. I saw Phillo there and all it needed was a clean, cushioned pass back to him and I knew it would be in the net. I was really happy with that.”
