Barnes responds to Rodgers’ plea
TWO ASSISTS AFTER CITY WINGERS URGED TO OFFER GREATER THREAT
HARVEY Barnes is making sure he stays at the top of Brendan Rodgers’ winger pecking order by claiming both assists in Leicester City’s win over Burnley.
Barnes sent in a pinpoint delivery for Jamie Vardy’s equaliser, but also got a slight touch on Demarai Gray’s cross before Youri Tielemans fired in the winner.
The pair of assists takes Barnes to three for the season which, added to his superb strike at Sheffield United, means he has provided the most goal contributions of all the wingers this campaign.
That will please manager Rodgers, who this week bluntly told his wide players to “do more” and offer a greater threat, both creatively and in front of goal.
Barnes has started City’s last four Premier League matches and will want to keep his place as they aim to build on the victory over Burnley.
“I just saw (Tielemans) running off my shoulder!” joked Barnes after claiming the assist for the winner. “No, it feels good to help the team out with goals or assists, so I’m very pleased with that.
“As we spoke about in there (the changing room), that’s their first loss away from home since August, so it shows that they’re a tough side.
“For us to get back to winning ways, we had some good work over the international break and we’re looking forward to a good period now. Hopefully we can continue this winning run.”
Both Rodgers and centre-back Jonny Evans have spoken of the difficulty of overcoming the emotions of Saturday’s game, with the club and fans paying tribute to late chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha with the first anniversary of the helicopter tragedy at the end of October.
Barnes, 21, said the support of City’s fans had helped them over the line.
“I think that was an important game for us,” he said. “It wasn’t an easy one but to come out with the three points in the end is massive.
“I think with the atmosphere, it was always going to be a little bit more difficult, but I think the boys did really well to just focus on the game.
EMOTIONAL MATCH: Harvey Barnes is challenged by Ashley Westwood of Burnley
“Obviously, after the game, that’s when all the emotions come out. It was a difficult occasion, the performance wasn’t 100 per cent, but we showed great character.
“I think it was massive for us. Burnley are a good side and they’re very difficult to play against. With the crowd being so good, that really spurred us along.”