ANTHONY Barness sported a warm smile today as he reflected on the turn of events which have brought him in from the cold.

The Wanderers' full-back, who struggled at times to even secure a place in the squad last season, is sharing in the accolades being paid to a defence which has won the respect of its Premiership rivals.

"I just love playing at the moment," the Londoner said. "Results have gone quite well and the defence has been a strong part of our team - all five of us, Jussi Jaaskelainen included."

Barness admits he was not quite so bubbly at times last season when he lost his place in the side before returning to play a major role in the promotion run-in.

"There were about two months when I wasn't playing," he recalls.

Explanation

"I got sub but there were a couple of trips when I didn't even make the squad to travel to away games

"It was looking down but at the time I just had to think 'Do I throw a moody and start mucking about or just get on with training and hope something happens?' Fortunately enough I managed to get back in for the last seven or eight games of the season."

Barness admits now that he asked Sam Allardyce for an explanation and praises the Wanderers' manager for the way he reacted. "I'm not one to go banging on the door," he explained.

"I just went in to find out what was going on and what I had to do to get back in. Once he'd said his piece and that he was looking at someone ahead of me I accepted that.

"The manager's got no worries about people going in to see him like that. He understands when you ask him what you can do to improve yourself.

Standard

"As it worked out it was really good for me when I came in. The season wasn't petering out or anything like that. We needed points in every game and finished well," added the former Charlton player.

"We carried that into this season, picking up where we left off. Now it's in our minds all the time that we're having to perform at a higher standard, which, hopefully we are doing."