Matthew Barnes-Homer opens the scoring against Liverpool
Luton Town fans are set to see the real Matthew Barnes-Homer this season – that is the view of the man himself after he built on an impressive personal pre-season with a goal against a Liverpool XI.
The striker had a torrid first season as a Hatter after joining from Kidderminster Harriers on loan in November last year and making his move permanent in the January transfer window.
He scored nine goals at the Aggborough club before making the switch, but could only manage four for Town in 24 appearances as a prolific end to the campaign from strikers Tom Craddock and Kevin Gallen kept him on the substitute bench
The 24-year-old Brummie has already bagged two goals in the current pre-season campaign, which has seen him look like a man on a mission, and his opener as part of a lively display against Liverpool had him brimming with confidence.
He said: “Last season a lot of things happened off the field and it affected me. I wasn’t 100 per cent comfortable, but this season I’m better in myself.
“It’s a fresh start and it’s like I’m a new signing this season. I feel like the player I was when they wanted to bring me here.”
He says that he has set himself a goal target this term, and while he wouldn’t reveal what number he’d set his sights on, he is focused on trying to prove himself.
“It’s going well at the minute,” he said. “I’ve worked hard over the summer and I’ve just got my head down since I’ve come back in, so it’s been good.
“We’ve got four quality strikers here and it’s always good to have competition because it keeps you on your toes.
“In training, and every game, you always know that you have to put the effort in. You can’t afford to have a bad game or training session because somebody will be there to take your place.
“The manager has worked on things on the training ground about how he wants us to play. If you want to be in the team there are things that you have to do, and I’m prepared to do that side of the game in terms of dropping down and screening off a midfielder.
“Every player is sharp and fit. I think going away to Portugal helped. The lads worked hard over there and everyone looks fantastic, so the gaffer could pick any of the players to start when it comes to August 14. He’s got a tough task.”
Town played some fabulous passing football against Liverpool, helped not least buy an immaculate Kenilworth Road surface, which looks to have benefited from drainage work done in the close season.
Barnes-Homer said: “With a pitch like that there’s no excuse not to play football on it, and we showed that we can play.
“But we should play football regardless because, of the players that we’ve got in the team.”
With bookmakers tipping Town to win the Blue Square Bet Premier title this season, the striker confirmed that there is a confidence amongst the players, but that they won’t let themselves get carried away with hype before a competitive ball is kicked.
“There are a lot of strong teams but we’ll always tip ourselves to get promotion,” he said. “Everybody thinks we can do it and the players believe it.
“You can’t really get to ahead of yourself. We just got to keep working hard and take each game as it comes because it’s a long season and a tough one too.”