Sam Winnall says it is comforting that the Barnsley fans always have his back and insists he will do everything he can to stay on their good side.
Head coach Lee Johnson was booed by the fans when Winnall, 24, was substituted off at Blackpool a fortnight ago. He started a week later against Gillingham on Saturday and got the crucial goal right before the break. The striker struck his fourth of the season and knows he doesn't always have to be scoring to remain flavour of the month.
He told the Chronicle: "It always helps when the fans are always behind you and I'm one of the lucky ones. "Ever since I joined they have been nothing but great with me and I will never say a bad word about the fans. They have always supported me through the good times and the bad. I encourage them to keep going and I'll keep putting everything into the games and hopefully I'll return the favour. A great relationship has blossomed and, ever since the day I joined, it's been fantastic between me and the fans. I hope that continues and I'll keep working as hard as possible and hopefully they'll cheer me on.
"I was a bit disappointed against Blackpool because I didn't get as many chances as I would have liked."
After scoring his goal against Gillingham on Saturday, Winnall dropped into midfield to add tenacity there following Ben Pearson limping off with cramp.
"I felt I put in a good performance up top against Gillingham and also when I dropped into central midfield. I just wanted to drop in there and do my job for the team."
Winnall feels confident the Reds have got enough in their squad to mount a promotion challenge. He added: "There's competition across the whole squad. I think we've got two players for every position on the pitch and that's credit to the gaffer and everybody working behind the scenes to get the kind of player we have got in. We have got a lot of quality in the squad but we need to make sure that, with all the quality, we get results."
Winnall has 17 goals in 36 starts and 12 substitute appearances for the Reds.
