AN ASH CLOUD
Barnes says that everyone wants ‘ugly’ Clarets to fall
ASHLEY BARNES claims referees and fans would rather see “ugly” Burnley relegated.
The Clarets striker believes the team’s hard-nosed style sees decisions go against them.
A controversial handball was awarded against Barnes by referee Kevin Friend, right, after a VAR review at Tottenham last Sunday, leading to Harry Kane’s match-winning penalty.
But the Burnley star says that when Lucas Digne handled in a similar incident in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Thursday, referee Paul Tierney was not advised to seek aVAR check.
Ahead of tomorrow’s vital clash with Newcastle, Barnes said: “In recent seasons they look at us and think we are some kind of hard team who play ugly. I think people, even referees, want to see us gone out of the league – it is another issue we have to overcome.
“Spurs had played on, they actually missed a great opportunity, and everyone goes to set up for a goal-kick.
“Then there is VAR and it is like ‘what?’.
“He [the referee] is smiling as he was coming on and no one could speak to him.
“At Villa it was clearer than mine and you couldn’t speak to the referee. We were saying, ‘Go and check the screen – it is there for a reason’. There just needs to be some consistency. I’m not sure anyone actually knows the rules [for handball]. People aim for your arm, it is just stupid.”
Barnes believes another example of Burnley being on the wrong end of decisions was Villa’s equaliser.
“When he took the throw-in that led to their goal, his foot was
on the pitch,” he added. “These decisions are vital.”
Barnes accepts he escaped punishment for an ‘elbow’ into Tyrone Mings’ face.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard said he deserved a red card and Barnes explained: “I never thought anything of it. After seeing it back, maybe I have caught him but there’s no intention there to do anything.
“If you watch my eyes they are clearly on the ball.”
Burnley must match Leeds’ result at Brentford to stay up on goal difference and Barnes believes it will be their greatest feat in recent years because of their poor start – they won only three of their first 28 games.
“It will be a huge achievement from where we were,” he said. “That’s relegation staring right at you but the lads have done well to turn it round.
“We’ve got a good dressing room, we’ve got the know-how to avoid all of this so hopefully we can come through it.
“Before the game at Villa we would probably have taken a point. It’s in our own hands.We have to stay calm, stay positive and concentrate on ourselves.”