<h1><font size="3">Brian Howard - Barnsley</font></h1>Brian Howard played for England at Under 21 level before seeing Roman Abramovic's arrival at Chelsea wreck his dream move to Stamford Bridge. After a successful spell with Swindon Town, he's carving out a name for himself again as part of the new, young Barnsley side being fashioned by Andy Ritchie at Oakwell. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson met up with him to find out just how he has bounced back. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Q YOU WERE ON SOUTHAMPTON'S BOOKS AS A YOUNGSTER BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BIG BREAK AND THE FALL OUT FROM IT?</span> A I was on my way to join Chelsea in 2003 when Roman Abramovic took over. They immediately signed Hernan Crespo and Juan Sebastian Veron and I thought to myself that I might struggle to get a game in the reserves, never mind the first team! I phoned my agent who was in Swindon at the time and Andy King said he was quite happy to take me. I was still living down near the south coast at the time and agreed a two-year deal. At the end of the first year we got into the play-offs but were gutted when Brighton scored in about the 124th-minute of the semi final. The club went through a sticky period after that and although I thought I was going to end up at Bournemouth, Andy Ritchie asked me to pack up my stuff and head north. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Q WAS THAT DIFFICULT FOR A CONFIRMED SOUTHERNER?</span> A Not really! It's such a friendly place, Barnsley. I live on the outskirts and it's the type of town where everybody seems to know each other. It's just very friendly. If you want to go to a big city, then Sheffield and Manchester are close by. But it suits me fine, thanks. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Q A FEW PEOPLE IN THE GAME RAISED THEIR EYEBROWS IN THE SUMMER AS THE TYKES WEREN'T FANICED TO MAKE IT TO LEAGUE ONE – WHAT ARE THE TEAM'S STRENGTHS?</span><br style="font-weight: bold;" /> A We have got a very young side. I think, all told, there are about seven players in the squad who have played international football at youth level. I think the average age is about 23. People always talk about team spirit and I think it is very good here and was the main reason why we ended up beating Leeds at the weekend. We were all geeing each other up and fighting for each other when the scores were level at 2-2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Q WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF ANDY RITCHIE?</span> A Andy is very similar to the squad. He is hungry and passionate. He wants to play good football. We did that in League One and we are continuing to do that in the Championship as well. To be fair, he said he would give the lads who earned promotion a chance - and he has done. Save for a couple of new faces, it is pretty much the same group who were promoted last season. Players always talk about consolidation and staying up but for a lot of us the challenge is to prove that we can play at this level. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Q YOU HAVE PLAYED IN A NUMBER OF POSITIONS SO FAR – WHAT DO YOU REGARD AS YOUR BEST?</span> A I've had that problem that I've had ever since I was a kid. Managers haven't known where to play me. I've been a left winger, central midfielder, just off a main striker. I've settled on central midfield. I've got myself fitter and have been rewarded for it. You cannot afford to have floating players at this level of football. It just doesn't work. I'm still working on my fitness now. I've never had any problem going forward and creating chances. I just need to learn to run 60 yards backwards as quickly as I run 60 yards forwards. It's all the nasty side of the game - sticking your head in, putting your foot in - that has let me down sometimes. But I'm making a conscious effort to improve that and that's all you can ask of any player. <br style="font-weight: bold;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q YOU ARE PREDOMINANTLY LEFT FOOTED BUT YOUR WINNING GOAL AGAINST LEEDS WAS WITH YOUR RIGHT FOOT WASN'T IT?</span> A Yes, you're right. Within minutes of the final whistle on Saturday, people were sending me text messages, asking questions like 'how did you do that with your right foot?' Normally it's all about my left. I've turned up to training today with a slight twinge in my groin. The lads are convinced it's because that side of my body doesn't get any exercise! Hopefully, it won't keep me out of the Birmingham game on Saturday. http://www.givemefootball.com/interviews.html?interviewID=1242&method=full
The lads are convinced it's because that side of my body doesn't get any exercise good piss take stuff!
