Burnley striker Ashley Barnes has claimed outside views, including from Premier League officials, of the Clarets have impacted unfairly upon his sides season. Recently against Tottenham Hotspur, the Clarets lost 1-0 after Spurs were awarded a controversial handball penalty which Harry Kane dispatched.
In midweek, they had their own appeals for a similar handball penalty shout turned down by referee Paul Tierney against Aston Villa which ended 1-1. While there is no guarantee both results would have ended in a draw, those two points could have proved massive in the fight for survival.
As things stand, Burnley head into the final day of the season level on points with Leeds United but above the Whites on goal difference. The Clarets welcome Newcastle to Turf Moor while Leeds travel to West London later today to take on Brentford.
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A win for Burnley over Newcastle should see them safe while a draw could open the door for Leeds. Should Leeds win and Burnley lose or draw, then Jesse Marsch's side will leapfrog the Clarets to safety on the final day of the season.
And Barnes believes Burnley "ugly" reputation has cost them points of late, with the 32-year-old claiming Premier League officials have bought into their perceived notoriety.
“I think in recent seasons people look at us and think we’re a hard team, being ugly,” Barnes told LancsLive.
“No disrespect, I think people, even referees, want us gone from the league. That’s just another issue we have to overcome. We’ve just got to concentrate on the game ourselves.”
"The whole situation when (Kevin Friend) goes to the screen at the weekend. (Tottenham) played on, they missed a great opportunity and everyone goes to set up for a goal-kick, but then there’s VAR, it’s like, ‘What?’
“Then he’s smiling when he comes away and no one can speak to him. Even (at Villa Park) we can’t speak to (Paul Tierney). Go and check the screen, that’s what it’s for. We just need consistency throughout the decisions.”
