Barker: 'I've always backed myself' | OneFootball

In fact, she's backing herself to net her first goal in the Barclays Women's Championship.

Barker has started the last seven games for United across all competitions, including a Tyne-Tees derby victory and an appearance against WSL opposition in Manchester United Women, and she’s hungry for more opportunities.

Since Newcastle earned promotion to the Championship, 13 new faces have joined the team, which Barker welcomes as healthy competition for herself and the whole squad.

"I'm really happy with myself to have started the previous seven games for this club," Barker said.

"When I'm out on the pitch I want to make sure that I’m contributing well to the team and helping my teammates.

"I've always backed myself - that's one of the reasons I think I've come this far, and I have a lot of faith in my own ability. Whenever new players come in, I always believe that I can bring my game up to another level and continue to compete with them.

"We've signed some of the best players in the country, but I continue to back myself and earn a spot in the team."

Barker knows the Magpies are just four points off the summit. However, for someone who's netted 67 goals since joining United back in 2020, to have not found the back of the net is an itch she simply can't resist scratching.

Barker insists that with continued hard work on the training pitch and improvement in every game, the goals will begin to flow. In the meantime, she added, it's all about winning matches.

"If I'm being honest, I'm desperate for my first goal in the Championship. I've become used to banging in goals every season for Newcastle United, so I'm eager to get off the mark.

"I know that everything will fall into place if I continue to work hard, then my chances will come and I'll be ready to take them.

"We're always looking to pick up three points in every game, so last week was huge for us and should be a great stepping stone moving forward.

"This week especially, I feel like training has been good, so I see no reason why we can't keep up our winning ways this Sunday."

United are set for their second-longest away day of the season this weekend when they travel to face Southampton, with the two sides being unable to be separated in the reverse fixture.

Despite the long trip down to the South Coast, the Lasses are expected to be backed by a strong Geordie contingent, so bringing three points back up to the North East is all that's on United's number nine's mind this weekend.

"I've got no doubt that we’ll be backed by a load of Geordies down in Southampton.

"It was a tough test for us in the reverse fixture at St. James' Park, and we're expecting more of the same at St. Mary’s.

"While we were happy to end up with a point last time out, we're looking to pick up all three this time around and take them back to the North East with us."