It's a fresh start for all: Barker

RICHIE Barker says that each and every member of the Rotherham United squad will start with a clean slate next season.
Barker offers a clean slate to all Millers playersBarker offers a clean slate to all Millers players
Barker offers a clean slate to all Millers players

The club's new assistant manager is set to form part of a refreshed coaching team, including two new physios, who will oversee a squad also to be replenished by fresh faces.

And with a first team manager Paul Warne still relatively new to the job, it will make for a new start in more ways than one when the Millers report back for pre-season.

"It is a clean start for everybody," Barker told the Advertiser: "There will be no-one with relationships in the dressing room which means they get any favouritism. Everybody, including the sports science guy, the physio and myself, will start from fresh.

"Obviously Warney will still be around but he has a different relationship with the players now and that will keep everybody on their toes right from the start."

Barker managed to complete his obligations at his previous club, Charlton Athletic, before hooking up with the Millers in time for the final match of the season against Derby County.

Now in post for nearly a month, he is happy with the timing of his arrival.

"From a personal point of view it worked out really well," he added. "I managed to fulfil what Charlton wanted me to do, which was stay until the end of the season, and then I got a week here to have a really good look at the players and in a match environment as well.

"Now of course we've had meetings about recruitment and from my point of view I'm glad I've had the opportunity to do it rather than coming in on the first day back for pre-season.

"I have a fair idea of what needs to be done."