Tom Barkhuizen: Derby player happy to show versatility for more game time
- Published
Tom Barkhuizen has scored after coming on as a substitute in his last two games
Derby County's Tom Barkhuizen is happy to play different roles for the team if it allows him more game time.
The 30-year-old has been used at wing-back in recent matches, including as a second-half substitute in the draw against Wycombe on Saturday.
He scored for the second game running after coming off the bench, only for Wycombe to level with a late penalty.
"I did used to be a striker, but ended up a wing-back - maybe because I run around," he told BBC Radio Derby.
"You just try and be in the right place at the right time. I've probably been guilty of not doing that at times and that's why I've not scored as many as I probably should have, but a goal just gives you confidence."
Barkhuizen joined the Rams on a free transfer from Preston in July 2022 and has made 23 of his 55 league appearances as a substitute, scoring six goals.
Having entered his thirties in July, he is happy to be flexible and play wherever manager Paul Warne deploys him.
"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," he said.
"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."
On the result at Wycombe, Barkhuizen said Derby's game management in the closing stages had not been good enough.
He added: "To concede with literally the last kick of the game is the worst feeling as a player and I imagine as a fan, so a difficult one to take. "
"No-one's in there digging each other out, it's a collective mistake from the team both in and out of possession."
The Rams are sixth in the table, four points adrift of the top two, and are at home to Lincoln City on Thursday before trips to Wigan and Oxford United to end their efforts in 2023.