Barnes: Nice To Start 2020 With A Goal

- Harvey Barnes reflects on his second goal of the season scoring against Wigan Athletic in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup
- Barnes says the Foxes have the ability to deliver a better performance than they did on Saturday against Paul Cook’s men
- City won 2-0 at King Power Stadium, with Barnes netting their second 

Barnes’ second effort of the 2019/20 campaign doubled City’s lead after Tom Pearce had earlier scored an own goal at King Power Stadium.

The Academy graduate was pleased to get off the mark in 2020, but knows City can improve on their performance in the coming weeks.  

Barnes told LCFC TV: “I don’t think that we were at our best tonight. I think sometimes in the cup you’ve got to make sure that you get through and of course for myself I’m really happy to start the year with a goal.

“I think that before the game we knew that they had quality in their side. We knew that they could hurt us if we weren’t at it.

“Obviously, they had the goal disallowed but throughout that they looked dangerous at times.

“I thought in general we defended well. We minimised their chances but, as I say, we know that we can perform better than that.”

Barnes played up front for the Foxes against Wigan, with Marc Albrighton and Demarai Gray as accompanying wingers.

Describing his display in an unfamiliar position, he said: “It’s a different role for me today but I enjoyed it.

“Obviously, [I was] playing central but I had the freedom to drop into the pocket, but yes I really enjoyed it up there. Obviously, I got my goal, so I’m really happy with that. 

“I think when you get on the ball you just have more options. Sometimes, if you’re wide, you’ve got the touchline, so you can’t go that way.

“When you’re central, you can go either way. I think getting in the box is a lot easier, it’s a lot easier to just get in dangerous positions and hopefully get goals.”