RYAN Lowe believes the appointment of Richie Barker will prove a fruitful one.

The 32-year-old, who scored 28 goals last season, lobbied hard for Barker to get the job and he is looking forward to working alongside the promising young coach.

“I know the club interviewed some good candidates, but my opinion was always that Richie needed to be rewarded for the fantastic job he did at the end of last season,” Lowe said. “I have spoken with Richie over the summer and I know he has a few things up his sleeve.

“Richie is his own man and we need to move away from the Alan Knill era now. I am sure he will have his own style, without moving away from the footballing principles that have got us to where we are.

“I am impressed with Richie’s ideas. He is qualified in things like nutrition and psychology and that is great to know for the senior lads. If we get that side of things right it means we can extend our careers and have an incentive to play on.”

Lowe is not concerned about Barker’s lack of experience, insisting the former Rotherham, Mansfield and Hartlepool striker is capable of using contacts to mould another successful team.

He added: “Richie has played for some good clubs in his career and he is well connected around the leagues. His ideas and plans for the club are exciting and this is the right way forward for us.

“I am more than happy that he has got the job, and I know the rest of the lads are too.”