Gareth Barry loving his hectic start to West Brom career

Four days after he joined from Everton, the veteran midfielder played the full 90 minutes on debut in a 1-0 win against Burnley.

Three days later he led the team out at Accrington Stanley in the Carabao Cup because Jonny Evans was unavailable and Jake Livermore was rested.

Barry was surprised to be handed the armband at the Wham Stadium, while some were surprised just to see the 36-year-old on the pitch so soon after his debut.

But as he explains, playing 90-minute matches in the league and featuring regularly is exactly why he’s come back to the Midlands.

“I didn’t overly enjoy sitting on the bench towards the end of the season,” he said, after the Accrington win. “I wanted a new challenge and I didn’t want my career to fizzle out coming on every now and again. I wanted the chance to start more games.

“It was a bit of a surprise to be named captain, but it’s not something I’m going to turn down.

“It was a nice honour to lead the boys out, especially as I’ve only been in the door a few days.”

When Barry joined, Baggies boss Tony Pulis played down his age and pointed to his impressive running statistics from last season.

After conducting his medical, club doctor Mark Gillett told Pulis the former Villa man ‘had the heart of a 25-year-old’ and Barry has faith in his fitness. Even so, being picked for two games in four days was a confidence-booster for the experienced midfielder.

“Of course that’s confidence for me,” said Barry. “I’m not 26 anymore, I’m in my mid-30s. The manager knew I hadn’t had too much game time pre-season so he saw this as an opportunity for fitness as well.”

Barry missed the first weekend of the season for Everton with an ankle knock, and he told Pulis after the Burnley game that he was expecting to be brought off after 60 minutes.

“I was just joking really because I’ve not played too much!” he said. “I’ve not missed too much training in pre-season.

“I had a little problem with my ankle but it’s good to get these games under my belt because I’ve not had too many 90 minutes at Everton. It will do me good for the games coming up.”

Brought in on a one-year deal with a possible second year based on appearances, Barry is Darren Fletcher’s direct replacement after the former skipper was snapped up by Stoke City. They may big boots to fill, but based on the first two games, the 36-year-old is more than up to the task. And he reckons the perfect start that has seen Albion win three out of three so far bodes well for a successful season.

“We want to keep a good consistent run of form right the way through this year and have a good cup run too,” he said. “I’m sure the fans are desperate to get these cup runs and go as far as possible.

“I know what a football fans like. It’s been a great start so far.”

Barry admits he had to give his move to the Baggies a bit of extra thought because of his Villa past.

But the 36-year-old midfielder decided there was nothing to worry about moving to The Hawthorns because enough time had passed since he was at Albion’s rivals and it was unlikely the two teams would meet this season anyway.

Barry joined Villa as a 16-year-old trainee and went on to spend 12 years at the club, helping them to five top-six finishes in the Premier League during his tenure as well as an FA Cup final.

When the former Villa favourite was asked if his past made it difficult to join Albion, he said: “A little bit. Obviously I had to give that a bit of thought when I heard Albion were showing some interest out of respect for Villa.

“But they’re in different leagues and it’s eight years ago now so there was nothing to worry about.”

The veteran midfielder, who left Villa for Manchester City in 2009, went on to win the Premier League with his new club.

He still lives in that part of the world, but enjoys working in the West Midlands, an area close to both him and his wife Louise.

“I live in the same place as when I moved to Man City, south Cheshire, which is the right side,” he said. “It’s not too far to come down. But all my friends really live in Birmingham. And my wife’s a Brummie so I know the area really well.”