The part to be played by Ashley Barnes in City?s playoff push ? because with 16 games to go, it feels safe to call it that ? is as yet untold. So far, his season/City career has been a curious one.

He was David Wagner?s first signing of last summer and so was the first of the so-called Dad?s Army through the door ? that small band of seasoned veterans brought in to help fortify the losing and lily-livered mentality of our Class of 2023.

Some were sceptical. The wisdom of signing someone on the downward curve of their career fitted neither the young-and-hungry profile nor that of someone of modest cost who would later have a resale value.

Barnes was clearly neither of those things, but he was someone who would take no prisoners and who would, hopefully, instill that same mentality in his new teammates.
And the very early signs were promising as Barnes found himself part of that two-pronged attack alongside (or just off the shoulder of) Josh Sargent.

As we know, it all started so well, with the ex-Burnley man front and centre of it all; leading the press, linking up well with Sargent, and, most importantly of all, being the everyone’s-favorite-uncle figure in the dressing room.

If an arm around the shoulder was needed, Barnes was the man. If some sage advice in the shell-like of a younger member of the squad was required, Big Ash was the go-to. If stern words were needed, Barnesy was the the boy. So too if some gentle cajoling was needed to coax th...