Mind games can help Barnes be top scorer
THREE STRIKERS ALL THE WAY
WINGER LOOKS SET TO PUSH
CHANGING his mindset was the decisive factor in Harvey Barnes reversing his form in front of goal.
And now, just two years after his finishing ability was scrutinised, he is a genuine contender to be the club’s top goalscorer.
When Barnes returned from his fruitful loan at West Brom in 2019 and was introduced to the City side, it took him 38 shots to score his first Premier League goal.
The following campaign, his first full season in City’s senior set-up, he netted just once in his first 21 games.
Moving into 2020, it began to click for Barnes and last season he was exceptional in front of goal, scoring 13 times in 35 appearances before he was ruled out with injury.
Analysing his improvement, Barnes says he always believed in his finishing ability and thinks psychological developments have been key to his success.
“In the season before last I was getting a lot of chances, but they just weren’t going in,” he said.
“Personally, I always knew I was a good finisher, because I had shown it during loan spells with other clubs.
“Whenever I get a chance I always fancy myself to test the keeper or score, and I think the improvement came with my mindset more than anything.
“I’m playing in the Premier League now, but it was important to approach those situations in the same way I had previously by staying calm and not rushing the shot.
“Like I said, it was my mindset in front of goal which probably changed the most, rather than the actual finishing.”
And manager Brendan Rodgers’ plan could see Barnes win the crown he thought he would have no hope of claiming.
Amid a scoring streak last term, he was asked if he could catch Jamie Vardy at the top of the club’s scoring charts.
“Any of us will do well to catch Vards,” was the reply.
But when Barnes suffered a season-ending injury in February, he was only one behind City’s number nine.
With three hotshot strikers to choose from, Rodgers plans to give Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka a fair share of gametime this campaign.
With fewer rivals for his position out on the left wing, and with Barnes likely to start nearly every match, that could give him the advantage in what is sure to be a competitive race for top scorer. Contributing to the team effort will be Barnes’ focus though, and he is feeling ready to help after returning to fitness following a couple of knee operations.
He said: “I’m feeling really good. I feel like I’ve come back in really good shape and on the match fitness side, I think I’m pretty much there now.
“I’ve had a good pre-season, where I was able to gradually build up my minutes from game to game.
“The work I did during the off-season has really helped and put me in good stead for the season ahead. “Hopefully I can pick up where I left off.”