HAVING started every one of the last 22 Premier League games Ashley Barnes is living his boyhood dream, and he is determined to make sure it doesn’t end on a sour note.

The 25-year-old has been one of the Burnley’s standout performers since forcing his way into the side for the 1-0 victory over Hull in November, scoring five times along the way.

Eight years ago Barnes was plying his trade for Paulton Rovers in the Southern League Division One South and West.

This season he’s made headlines, good and bad. 

Accused of a ‘criminal’ tackle by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Barnes has also scored outstanding goals, most notably in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham and the equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

It’s been quite a ride for the former Brighton striker, and he isn’t ready to get off from the dream just yet.

“I’ve had a fantastic run. I would obviously have liked to have scored a few more goals but hopefully that will come and those goals will keep us in this league,” he said.

“I’m delighted – it’s every boy's dream to play in the Premier League and now that I’m here I don’t want it to stop. That’s the same for every one of us in that dressing room. 

"We don’t want it to end, we want to keep going.

“It’s amazing. When you’re walking out through that tunnel, playing against champions and world class players, it’s mind blowing and it’s what I dreamt about as a young boy. Luckily enough, I’m doing it.

“We need to get points on the board and you never know where that will take us at the end of the season.”

Barnes believes he has improved immeasurably as a player this season thanks to the Premier League exposure, and he knows doing enough over the final six games of the season to see the Clarets safe would cap a fine campaign.

“I’ve developed massively in everything,” he said. “I’ve grown and I’m learning something new every game. 

"Playing against world class players can only help you for the future.

“Survival would top it off for sure. To stay in the Premier League for another year would be amazing, not just for me personally, for team-mates, staff, for the fans and everyone else around the place. It would be amazing if we can do that.

“We just crack on with the work in hand. We’re just buzzing to have a ball at our feet and getting out on that training ground. We never want to come in. The gaffer has to shout us to come in because this is our dream.”

Barnes insists the belief in the squad has remained the same throughout the season, even when failing to win any of those first 10 league games of the season.

“To stay in this league is the main aim,” he said. “The positivity around the group and the staff remains the same and so it will continue.

“We believe in ourselves. We’re in this together and we’re striving for one thing, and that’s to stay in this league come the end of the season.”

Earlier this week Dyche described this squad as one of the closest he has ever experienced as a player, coach or manager.

That is an assessment Barnes agrees with and he believes the manager must take credit for harnessing it.

“It comes from the gaffer to start off with because he’s put everything into the group of players that he’s got,” he said.

“We’ve got a tight-knit group full of (Brits) that know their jobs. We fight for each other and we’ll fight to the end.”