Giles Barnes is determined to fire West Brom into the Premier League - and get one over his old manager at the same time
Feb 6 2010 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail
GILES Barnes aims to be back in action to help push Albion over the finishing line – and ruin former manager Billy Davies’ hopes of promotion.
The Baggies are locked in a three-way battle for a top-two finish with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
The East Midlanders are managed by Davies, who guided Derby to a play-off victory over Albion in 2007. Barnes played in that game at Wembley but he has no wish to see Davies celebrating again come May.
“Billy Davies was a big influence on me,” said Barnes, who this week signed on a free transfer for Albion.
“He played me pretty much every time he could. To give me my chance and circulate my name was a big thing for me.
“I’m not surprised how well he’s doing at Forest. He has a great enthusiasm, he wants everyone to do so well. It brings everyone together.
“It rubs off on the players when you’ve got someone of that mentality.
“But I want to beat him to promotion and if I have to wrestle him on the line to score the goal that gets us promotion then I will.
“He will do what he can to go up so we have to make sure we are at our best.”
Barnes – who has suffered from a broken ankle, ruptured cruciate and, most recently, a torn Achilles tendon during the last three years – hopes to be back within ‘weeks’, provided he gets the all-clear from the medics.
The 21-year-old said: “I’m there or there abouts.
