Harvey Barnes was frustrated to see former loan club Barnsley be relegated after he left last season to play mainly in Leicester City's reserves, but has backed his former team-mates to gain promotion from League One in the coming season.
The 20-year-old recorded five goals and five assists in his 25-game loan spell in late 2017 from the Premier League Foxes who then recalled him in January. He then watched on from afar as the Reds, who were 19th when he departed, dropped into League One with just 15 points from the 20 games after he left. Barnes signed for West Bromwich Albion this week and played in their friendly at Oakwell on Tuesday.
He told the Chronicle: "It was disappointing to see Barnsley go down. It is a great club with great people in it. I only have good, positive things to say about Barnsley as a club. I really enjoyed my time there, I had a lot of positive games and so did the team. It was sad where they finished in the table but I am sure, this year, they will be looking to come straight back up. I definitely think they can do it, they have quality and they showed it at times in the Championship last season. The squad is pretty much still together so they will have good momentum going into this season."
Barnes struggled for gametime after returning to Leicester, coming off the bench three times in the top flight and starting two FA Cup matches. "There was a bit of frustration because I could have been playing more with Barnsley but, in that period, you learn from training with Premier League players and it is a different challenge."
Whereas the Reds were in a relegation battle for the majority of last season, the Baggies are targeting an immediate return to the top flight. Barnes said: "It's definitely a different pressure. Barnsley didn't have the same targets as West Brom will have this year. They had the pressure to stay in the league whereas West Brom are trying to get promoted so it will be a different test."
Former Barnsley centre-back Darren Moore, who is now the West Brom boss, brought on Barnes midway through the second half in his side's 3-2 success, as well as former Reds captain Martin Cranie who is on trial. "It was definitely nice to be back. It felt a bit weird being in the away dressing room, but it was good to see the boys and the fans."
