Barnett hoping to calm his nerves ahead of Black Country derby
Nov 22 2007 By Chris Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail
LEON Barnett is looking forward to the biggest game of his career as he prepares to overcome his nerves ahead of this Sunday's Black Country derby.
The Baggies defender has been thrust back into the limelight following Martin Albrechtsen's recent knee injury.
It means Barnett and defensive partner Bostjan Cesar will be charged with keeping Wolves at bay when Mick McCarthy's men come to The Hawthorns.
Barnett is honest enough to admit that he is feeling the butterflies ahead of the first Black Country derby of the season.
But he reckons that come kick-off time he'll be more than ready, especially as he's been getting into the mood by holding a pre-derby day 'conversation' with ex-Luton team-mate and current Wolves right-back Kevin Foley.
"I'm looking forward to it as are all the boys," said Barnett. "It's not just because it's a derby, I just want to play and take each game as it comes, whether it be a cup game, derby or league game.
"I know the derby is quite fierce. All the fans from both sides have told me how important it is to get one over on the other.
"It could be the biggest game of my career so far. I do sometimes get quite nervous ahead of games like this but I'm confident I'll be ready once the game starts.
"Hopefully I'll get the chance to play and make an impression."
Barnett watched Albion's epic five-game marathon against Wolves from afar last season, admitting that he was impressed by the intensity of the occasion.
Tony Mowbray's men won four of the games - both play-off games, the first League match and an FA Cup fourth round tie - before losing the Championship fixture at Molineux.
The young centre-half, who joined Albion from Luton for ££2.5million during the summer, continued: "I think I caught one of the play-off games and I seem to remember it was quite fierce.
"This one is going to be quite big with both teams high up in the table.
"There's only a few points separating the teams at the top of the table and any games between now and Christmas are going to be vital."
