BURNLEY'S record signing Paul Barnes takes aim at York City tomorrow - but wished the Bootham Crescent men were higher in the table!

It was at York where Clarets assistant John Ward nurtured and honed Barnes's appreciable eye for goal which delivered an outstanding 76 goals in 148 appearances.

He had arrived from Stoke City for a £50,000 snip, relentlessly and eventually successfully pursued by Ward, before being sold for £350,000 to Birmingham provoking angry outcry amongst the Bootham Crescent faithful.

But, while Barnes knows his first priority is scoring promotion goals for Burnley, he admitted: "It's going to be a strange one for me, especially as York are struggling.

"I just wish their situation was a little bit healthier. If we win then that could send them into the bottom four. I don't like to see them struggling and I hope they can climb up the table soon. "But I've got a job to do tomorrow and sentiment will not come into it. My task is to score goals for Burnley.

"I had three marvellous and unforgettable years at York. We got promotion via the play-offs at Wembley and, of course, there was that fantastic night at Manchester United (Coca-Cola Cup, second round, first leg), Barnes scored twice in a 3-0 win at Old Trafford).

"The supporters were always great with me and I always had a really special relationship with them. In fact, I still have an awful lot of affection for the city.

"It was a great place to live and work and a time in my football career I will always remember. It was probably our poorest display of the season at York in November and we certainly did not do ourselves justice."

Barnes's first priority will be adding to his impressive 15-goal league and cup goal haul. And taking into account he only arrived at Turf Moor from Birmingham in September, that is a productive return. While the bulk of his goals have arrived alongside Kurt Nogan, including that remark- able 5-2 win over Stockport County when Barnes netted all five, he has partnered both Andy Cooke, Liam Robinson and youngster Colin Carr-Lawton.

"They've each got their own strengths and you have to adapt," added Barnes. "Kurt has got a good record in front of goal with 13 goals while Andy Cooke is a very good prospect and is eager and willing. Liam worked ever so hard at Crewe and helped create the goal."

Yet Barnes has scored consistently well and overhauled Kurt Nogan with his 14th goal of the season against Preston North End.

A week ago he showed true striker's instinct by rescuing a point for the Clarets with a late goal at Crewe.

"I'm not the sort of player to set goal targets but anything more than 20-plus is a good return," added Barnes.

"You have to perform - but it is that pressure that keeps you going." "Although the goals are going in I'm not 100 per cent happy with my form. I feel I can do better.

"We are very well placed for a promotion push but the factor we lack at the moment is consistency. We produce the goods in one game and then let ourselves down in the next. That is something we are going to have to address if we are going to be successful."

Barnes is now comfortably settled in the Burnley area with his wife and baby daughter Megan.

He added: "I've moved into the Burnley area now with my family I'm a lot more settled. Burnley have tremendous potential and I want to be part of that."

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