RICHARD Brodie is hoping for a better reception at former club Barrow this weekend than he is used to on the road.

But York City’s top scorer will not be bothered if he is a target of the boo-boys again in Cumbria.

Brodie has had his own vociferous welcoming party at each of the Minstermen’s away games this term and has thrived on it with goals at Gateshead, Forest Green and Wrexham.

Having netted four times in seven matches for Barrow, though, during a loan spell from Bootham Crescent that helped launch his career in 2008, the Holker Street faithful might temper the level of abuse directed at City’s combative frontman, with Brodie admitting: “I have a soft spot for the club, because I met a lot of nice people there and they kick-started my career again.

“I’ll probably get a bit of stick off certain sections, but a bit of a positive reception as well. It’s all water off a duck’s back though.

“Everybody saw at Wrexham that I got stick and, then, when I put the ball in the net, it shut them up for half-an-hour. Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way, but that kind of stuff doesn’t affect me at all.”

Brodie has been cautioned, meanwhile, in each of the Minstermen’s last four away contests, meaning another yellow card will earn him a one-match suspension.

He has not had his name taken once, however, on home soil and, rather than change his style of play, the 29-year-old marksman has pleaded for fairer treatment from referees, saying: “I get bookings for things that other people don’t and it’s frustrating that referees seem to have it in for me.

“I’m not going to lose that side of my game, because I’ve tried that and it just frustrates me even more. The fifth booking probably will come but, usually, when I’m on that four mark, I go about two months without getting a card because I don’t want to be banned, but maybe that takes something out of my game.”

The Minstermen travel to Barrow hoping to end a 27-match sequence without an away win at a ground where they haven’t tasted victory in six attempts since 1971.

With the team having shipped five goals in as many fixtures before the half-hour mark on their travels this term, Brodie believes a different approach might now be advisable.

“It’s not this group of players that set the run going, but we have inherited it and I think we have to stay in the game for the first 20 minutes,” he reasoned.

“If that means having to turn teams around and being horrible then so be it, because it’s alright saying we want to play football, but you’ve got to earn that right first. Then, we know we can score goals and have match winners.”

Brodie, himself, enjoyed a 3-1 triumph at Barrow with former club Aldershot last season, but is under no illusion about the challenge presented by Saturday’s fourth-placed hosts.

“We can expect the same from Barrow that we got against Dover,” Brodie reasoned in reference to Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat. “They will have big 6ft lads and it’s a horrible place to go, but I always say that’s where you win your promotions and leagues – at your Barrows and Braintrees, not your Wrexhams and Tranmere.

“We also conceded early again against Dover and you have to avoid that against these teams because it allows them to do what they do best – sit back, defend and clear the ball as far away from their goal as possible.”