Derby County star Tom Barkhuizen has highlighted what he’s going to do to keep impressing Paul Warne.
Derby dropped two points at home to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday in the most disastrous fashion.
It took Paul Warne’s side till the 83rd minute to break the deadlock and it came through substitute Tom Barkhuizen, who was in the right place to tap home a Nathaniel Mendez-Laing cross that was spilled by goalkeeper Max Stryjek.
After fighting tooth and nail to edge their way in front, the visitors struck a dagger through Rams hearts as they scored a 98th-minute penalty to steal two points.
That result was the first time Derby had dropped points in six League One matches and extended the gap between them and second-place Peterborough United to four points.
Although it was a match that Warne would want to forget in a hurry, Barkhuizen’s impact from the bench has given him food for thought.
The 30-year-old has been used as a right-back in recent matches, including in the draw against Wycombe and scored for the second game running.
Having entered his 30s in July, Barkhuizen has admitted he’s happy to be flexible and play wherever his manager deploys him.
What did Tom Barkhuizen say?
Despite playing as a forward for most of his career, the former Preston North End star just wants to play football, regardless of the position he’s used in.
Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, he said: “I’m 30 now and I don’t really want not to be playing if I’m brutally honest, so whether it’s wing-back, on the wing or it’s up front,
“Ideally if we were playing two up front, I’d like to play up front rather than as a wing-back, but that’s because no attacker really enjoys defending.
“But I’m not really that bothered. It’s just about playing for me.”
Should Tom Barkhuizen start v Lincoln City?
Although he’s only been given limited minutes to impress off the bench, he’s made an instant impact on his last two outings and showcased his predatory instincts in the box.
For his goal against Wycombe, he found himself in the penalty area, perhaps where a striker would be, and instinctively finished his opportunity.
Barkhuizen is currently making it a difficult task for Warne to ignore him as he continues to demonstrate that he knows where the back of the net is.
It is clear that Warne doesn’t favour him as a lone striker while preferring Kane Wilson and Mendez-Laing on both flanks currently, but he’s doing everything can to earn himself a start.
And the fruits of his labour should be rewarded with an opportunity from the off against Lincoln City on Thursday night.