Sam Winnall admits Barnsley's gruelling early season schedule is 'baffling' but believes it could knit the squad together as promotion candidates.
No club in the Football League has played more minutes this season than the Reds who have been into extra-time twice, made the long trip to Millwall for a midweek fixture and have had two games in each of the first four weeks.
"It's baffling why the games aren't spread out through the season," said Winnall, who opened the scoring in the 5-3 loss to Everton on Wednesday.
"There are only four games in the second month but eight in the first. But we can't control that, we can only control the results on the pitch. If we come away with a good start and build up confidence while we gel and learn each other's games, that will bring success.
"We have shown our character, particularly in the Millwall and Everton games, and to do that when the games are coming thick and fast early in the season, is really good."
Winnall says he will never forget the Everton game, adding: "For us to take a Premier League team to the wire shows the quality we have. We went in with no fear and we didn't have much to lose. Hopefully we can take that performance into the league games.
"It didn't surprise me because I know we have players who want to play at the highest level and to take the club back into the Championship and further. We all want to test ourselves against teams like Everton and eventually do that week in, week out. The fans gave us a standing ovation at the end and that really does last long in the memory. There's so much confidence that comes from games like that."
Winnall was happy that fellow forwards Marley Watkins and Dan Crowley got off the mark for the Reds. He said: "I am buzzing for Dan. It is his first senior goal and one he will always remember because it was such a good game. It was good for Marley because it can play on your mind if you go through a bit of goal drought. I went through it last season when I first came here.
"Sometimes you just need one of those goals to bounce off you and go in. Hopefully he can kick on from there because he has been fantastic."
