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Ashley Barnes has enjoyed an impressive start to the season with Burnley and he has backed himself to continue to improve. The 29-year-old has seemingly got better every season he has played in the Premier League, netting a career-best tally of 12 top-flight goals last term, but he already appears to be on course to surpass that mark this time around, as he has netted four goals in his opening three appearances of the current campaign.
Indeed, the former Austria youth international has scored in all three of Burnley’s games this season, including a brace against Southampton on the opening weekend, but it is not just his ability to find the back of the net that is impressive, as his all-round game has also proved a real asset to the Clarets.
Barnes is certainly a striker in the old-fashioned mould, as he thrives when involved in physical battles, whether that’s challenging for an aerial ball or chasing down a defender in possession.
The former Brighton forward is certainly always up for a battle and he believes he can continue to improve even though he will be turning 30 before the year is out. “I want to come off the pitch knowing that the centre half has had a run for their money and a tough game,” Barnes was quoted as saying by Pendle Today. “I believe that I keep getting better each week and each day in training and hopefully it will show in the good performances the hard work that I have put in.”
Barnes’ performances have been drawing plaudits from all quarters, although the frontman insists he will not be letting any such praise go to his head. “It is amazing when you get the plaudits from players and ex-players but first and foremost I want to concentrate on the team and us picking up points and that is what we aim to do,” he added.
Only Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling and Norwich forward Teemu Pukki have scored more goals than Barnes in the Premier League so far this season.
The Bath-born star may not get a chance to add to his tally when Burnley welcome League One Sunderland to Turf Moor in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with the likelihood being that boss Sean Dyche will rest some of his first-team regulars.
However, Barnes will be expected to lead the line once again when the Clarets play host to Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, although he has only once before scored against the champions of Europe and that was in a 2-1 defeat back in 2017.
